Independent Living

18/10/2026

Our new blog, The Atto Travel Scooter: A Mobility Scooter That Comes Along for the Whole Day, takes a close look at how the Atto folds and splits into two lighter pieces, which of the three models might suit you, what to know about flying with it, and when a mid-size or full-size scooter could serve you better.

Read it here https://loom.ly/b_u5rGA

16/10/2026

Disability Support Services have released their "Strengthening Disability Support Services Consultation feedback summary" and "Community Consultation Report" outlining further improvements to Disability Support Services.

Thank you everyone who shared their experiences and suggestions for what good support looks like, or who supported others to have their say.

14/10/2026

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 is all about the power of belonging – and for you and your community, that message matters every day.

We all deserve to feel like we belong. Research shows that experiences of exclusion can have a negative impact on wellbeing, including increased feelings of loneliness, stress, and emotional challenges.

Belonging builds trust, strengthens resilience and brings communities closer. Everyday places such as shops, cafés, parks, and community spaces can help people feel more connected to those around them, strengthening a sense of belonging and supporting overall wellbeing.

Need to talk? Free call or text 1737 any time, day or night, to talk with a trained counsellor.

13/10/2026

Our team is heading to Warkworth for the very first Rodney Support & Inclusion Expo, and we'd love to see you there.

Presented by Rodney Inclusive Communities Initiative (RICI) and working with Disability Connect, it's a chance to meet local services, pick up practical information and tools, and connect with others in the community.

Whether you're living with disability, caring for whānau, or thinking about working or volunteering in the sector.

Thursday 15th October, 10am – 2pm
Mahurangi Hope Centre, 22 Mansel Drive, Warkworth

Pop in and talk to us about equipment, hire options and independent living advice.

12/10/2026

Show Me Shorts, New Zealand's short film festival, is expanding its open-captioned screenings this year so more people who are hard of hearing can enjoy the festival.

Captioned screenings of The Sampler and Aotearoa sessions will run at selected cinemas in Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Ōpōtiki between 10 and 21 October. The captions are created by Able.

Find dates, cinemas and tickets here: https://loom.ly/_jwCj0k

09/10/2026

Aroha has an intellectual disability and is an active member of her community sports team. Building confidence and social connection through sport is part of her My DSS Funding Plan.

This year her team has a tournament in Australia. Fundraisers cover flights and accommodation for Aroha and her teammates, but Aroha needs a support person to help her navigate new surroundings. With prior approval from her host, she could use her flexible funding to cover her support person's flights, accommodation and support hours.

The tournament, the teammates, the confidence, that's exactly what her funding plan is there to support.

Everyone's situation is different and this is an example, not a pre-approved purchase. To learn more about flexible funding, get in touch with the Independent Living team.
https://loom.ly/7pUKyEU

05/10/2026

There is a story about Vanessa the team still talks about. A woman arrived at Browns Bay tired and disoriented, dropped at the wrong stop by an Uber and an hour into looking for her doctor. Vanessa sat her down with a glass of water, rang the practice to hold the appointment, then drove her over and walked her in the front door. She got the golden frog for that one.

Outside work the beach runs strong in her family, through Surf Life Saving, and she loves seeing accessible beach walks open the coast up to everyone.

Come and say hello at Browns Bay!

02/10/2026

Dyson is autistic and sensitive to loud noise, and he loves rock music. He's been to plenty of smaller gigs with earplugs, but now he wants to go to a large rock concert, and he knows earplugs won't cut it at that scale.

Because increasing community participation and doing activities he enjoys are in Dyson's My DSS Funding Plan, he could use his flexible funding for noise cancelling headphones that let him manage the noise, plus the cost of admission for his support person so he has help navigating the venue and regulating if he needs to.

Both supports relate directly to Dyson's disability and open the door to an experience that matters to him.

Everyone's situation is different and this is an example, not a pre-approved purchase. Want to find out more about flexible funding? Get in touch with the Independent Living team.
https://loom.ly/7pUKyEU

30/09/2026

A reminder that we have 10% off all Brolly Sheets, in-store and online, until this Sunday 4 October.

Brolly Sheets make the kind of product that quietly takes the stress out of a night. Washable bed pads with or without wings, mattress and pillow protectors, chair pads, a lift chair protector, sheets, bibs, dining scarves and dryer balls. They go straight in the washing machine and come out ready to go again, so a change at two in the morning takes a couple of minutes rather than stripping a whole bed.

The discount applies automatically at the checkout online and at the counter in store, across every product and every size, so there is nothing to enter and nothing to ask for.

Come into Browns Bay, Royal Oak or Botany, shop at ilsnz.org, or call us on 0800 625 100.

29/09/2026

Safi rang because his mother needed a walker quickly.

What happened next is what we hope happens every time. One of our team worked out what would suit her, got it to her that day, set it up in her house, and stayed long enough to show her how to use it properly.

That last part matters more than people expect. A walker set at the wrong height, or the wrong style for the way someone actually moves, is the one that ends up folded in the hallway. A walker fitted to the person is the one that gets used every day, and the difference between those two is usually about fifteen minutes with someone who knows what they are looking at.

So if you are looking at walkers, for yourself or for someone you care for, come and be measured rather than guessing from a photo. Browns Bay, Royal Oak or Botany, or call us on 0800 625 100.

Thank you for the kind words, Safi.