The activities set up at Thrive offer clients important life skills such as sewing, cooking, and getting creative. They also have to undertake formal learning and this is based around improving their communication and numeracy skills.
"The purpose of Thrive is to bring together people with special needs and to unlock their potential so they play a real part in the Taupō community."
The Equippers Church in Nukuhau has given Thrive a space to set up workrooms and a shop.
"It gives the clients a real sense of working as they make and sell products at the church. They also get to engage with people who come to buy the products, and they take pride showing customers what they have made."
Products for sale include fire starters, kindling, wheat packs. and decorative pumice art.
Gaye says all the raw material is donated by the public. They were given wax and use this for the fire starters, old wooden pallets are turned into kindling, and pre-used paper bags are used to package the kindling.
Thrive has a solid customer base who regularly get their fire-starting supplies or artwork from Thrive. Gaye says there is always a need for more supplies and they would especially welcome donated wood, wax, pine cones, and another sewing machine.
Brittany says Gaye, Queenie and the team have created a safe and inclusive environment that gives the clients a sense of importance and a sense of purpose.
Gaye says the team at Thrive is ecstatic to win the Harcourts Good Sort award.
"We don't want special-needs people sitting at home. We want them living a life like their peers."
Gaye says there is no other service like this in Taupō and it's really important the community gets behind and supports the people who attend Thrive.
