We want our young people to get the support they deserve.

Our Vision -
To Mātau Tirohanga

Our vision is to foster social and vocational development in young adults with high-functioning disabilities, such as Aspergers/autism, ADHD, physical disabilities, and Down syndrome. We take a holistic approach providing a centralised collection of services targeting all aspects of wellbeing using te whare tapa wha model of health.

Whanake House -
Our Place

We have a holistic approach to exploring health, wellbeing, life, social skills, and creativity.

Using a strength-based model, we encourage and promote the use of social role variation, a dynamic set of ideas useful for making positive changes in the lives of our young people with high-functioning disabilities.

Our team

All founding members of Whanake House have lived experiences of impairment, neurodiversity, and/or disability. Each member brings a unique worldview that fosters inclusion and partnership making Whanake House truly our place.

Founding member of Whanake House Lynda, sitting on a bench in front of the building where young people with high functioning disabilities go to learn.

Lynda

CHAIR

Meet Lynda, the Chair and a founding member of Whanake House Charitable Trust. Lynda's unwavering vision revolves around supporting young adults with disabilities, providing them opportunities to embrace their passions and live their best lives. Her goal is to establish a welcoming home where individuals can express their true selves and cultivate meaningful friendships.

In her role, Lynda brings a unique perspective as she has personally navigated the challenges and triumphs of living with a disability through her son, a vital member of Whanake House at 26 years old. Lynda has dedicated the past 26 years to supporting her son to live a life of purpose.

  • During the early years, Lynda spearheaded an intensive ABA (Applied Behavioral Analytics) programme and is a trained ABA therapist. Her journey has connected her with a multitude of people and professionals who have provided guidance. Through these experiences, Lynda has continuously learned and amassed a wealth of knowledge to share.

    Lynda firmly believes that just one friend can shape your world and embraces the idea that the impossible is always possible – there is no such thing as "can't." Her commitment to Whanake House stems from a deeply personal connection, making her an invaluable leader in the pursuit of creating a supportive and empowering environment for individuals with disabilities.

  • Email: glad.nige@gmail.com
    Phone: 027 620 9867

Debbie

Manager

With a deep-seated passion for making a genuine difference in the lives of others, Debbie excels at listening to and understanding the needs of those she works alongside. Her career began with training in Diagnostic Radiography, where she worked as Radiographer-in-Charge at a rural hospital before transitioning to private practice in London. She furthered her studies with a degree in Radiotherapy. 

Debbie’s diverse background also includes roles as a Community Support Worker and Service Coordinator for people with disabilities. During this time she completed the New Zealand Apprenticeship in Community Facilitation (Level 4) - Disability Support. Her commitment to treating everyone with dignity and respect and advocating for community inclusion reflects her empathetic and caring nature.

  • Debbie has lived and worked in many countries around the world, including South Africa, the UK, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and New Zealand. This has broadened her perspectives and allowed her to engage with people from diverse backgrounds.

    Outside of work, Debbie enjoys nature and photography, travel, reading, and spending quality time with her family and pets.  

    Debbie is excited to bring her experience and passion to Whanake House and is looking forward to making a positive impact within our community. 

  • Phone: 029 048 15137

    Email: whanake.manager@gmail.com

    Working Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am -2:00pm

Rhea

Transition Coordinator

Rhea is the newest member to join our Whanake House team and will be taking up the role of Transition Coordinator. She is passionate about supporting and guiding individuals to help find what inspires them, and to assist them in finding their passion and purpose.

Rhea obtained her Bachelor of Commerce with a double major in Human Resource and Marketing Management at the University of Otago. In the last 20 years she has been blessed and fortunate to be exposed to varied roles in her field; including supervisory and advisory roles, Administrator, Management, and Leadership roles, as well as Operations Management.

She enjoys being part of and contributing to a team environment and is excited at the opportunity to interact with people of differing cultural backgrounds and abilities, and most importantly: being able to provide successful customer service by identifying their individual needs and tailoring the service in order to meet their needs.

  • She believes in being proactive when it comes to self-development, and considers herself a self-learner, taking it upon herself to enhance her skills in order to keep up with the continuous changes that occur within the workforce and as a result perform any job effectively. Rhea also regards herself as a conscientious and versatile person with a strong desire to succeed and can cope with the ever-changing nature of work.

    Apart from being passionate about volunteer work and believe in giving back to the community, Rhea find great pleasure in plodding in the garden, trying out new things – like learning how to Tap dance and Pickleball.

    One of her philosophies in life is that success without education may lead to short-term gains, but it often lacks the depth and resilience needed to withstand adversity

  • Phone: 029 048 15070

    Email: whanake.inhouse@gmail.com

    Working Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00am -2:00pm

An image of Kat, a trustee of Whanake House. She is outside in the sunshine after providing courses for the young adults with high functioning disabilites

Kat

TEACHER SUPPORT, TRUSTEE

Introducing Kat, one of the founding members and current trustee of Whanake House. With over 25 years of experience as a trained Early Childhood educator, Kat has immersed herself in the dynamic landscape of rural Southland, collaborating with young children, their whanau, caregivers, and the communities they call home. Her expertise lies in Music, Movement, Play gym, and special needs education.

As an educator, her approach revolves around attentive listening to aspirations and goals, keen observation and reinforcement of strengths, identification of needs, and the empowerment of individuals to build capacity across diverse areas. Kat embraces her role at Whanake House, contributing to growth and learning.

  • During her time at Southern R.E.A.P (Rural education, activities, and programmes), Kat traversed the region, working hand-in-hand with small playgroups, play centres, kindergartens, preschools, primary schools, and various educational, social, and community organisations.

    At Whanake House, we pride ourselves on offering personalised courses with passionate experts. Our mission involves bridging gaps, dismantling barriers, and providing the support needed for our young people to actively participate in the community.

    She enjoys being part of a team that strives to make Whanake House a safe, fun, challenging, respectful, and trustworthy space. Kat says that witnessing Lynda's vision blossom into a vibrant reality is nothing short of exciting.

  • Email: whanakehouse@netspeed.net.nz

Raewyn

ACCOMMODATION AND TEACHER SUPPORT

Raewyn is a dedicated team member of Whanake House, playing a pivotal role in accommodation and teacher support. With a commitment to helping young adults achieve independence and develop essential life skills, Raewyn brings a wealth of experience and passion to our community.

Armed with a diploma in teaching, Raewyn previously worked on an Access Scheme for youth aged 14 to 30 as a support worker. She also provides literacy support where needed, drawing on the skills honed during her time as a schoolteacher. The vision that Whanake House embodies resonates deeply with her as it provides a meaningful platform to make a positive impact on young people's lives.

  • Beyond the professional realm, Reawyn has various interests and hobbies. She has a daily exercise routine, predominantly consisting of walking and weekly swimming, reflecting her commitment to well-being. In her free time, she delves into patchwork and quilting, showcasing a flair for combining colours and patterns into beautiful creations. With a keen eye for fashion and colour coordination, Raewyn even crafts some of her own clothes.

    Raewyn brings not only professional expertise but also a rich collection of personal experiences and passion to the Whanake House community.

  • Email: ryn5.3@xtra.co.nz

Virginia

ADMINISTRATOR

Meet Virginia, a valued member of the Whanake House Charitable Trust team whose professional journey has included work with adults dealing with mental health challenges and substance abuse. Virginia's expertise lies in connecting individuals with their community, facilitating employment opportunities, and fostering a pathway to recovery.

Armed with a diploma in NZ Health and Wellbeing (practice and applied practice) and additional coursework in Social Work through Massey University, Virginia brings a robust educational foundation to her role. Her commitment to quality development services at Whanake House is rooted in the immense satisfaction derived from engaging young people in transformative experiences.

  • In her role at Whanake House, Virginia is deeply involved in crafting programs that directly contribute to the personal resilience of young individuals. These programs focus on enhancing protective factors, improving mental and physical health, and promoting economic well-being. Virginia is passionate about equipping the youth with the skills necessary to thrive in life, creating a positive impact on their journey towards success.

    Virginia's approach to support aligns seamlessly with the mission of Whanake House, making her an integral part of the team. Her dedication to enhancing the well-being of young individuals and empowering them to succeed reflects the core values of the Whanake House Charitable Trust.

  • Email: vboyle@xtra.co.nz

Jamie

Personal Trainer

New to Whanake house courtesy of the Y Southland, our trainer Jamie has recently completed his degree in Sports, Recreation and Exercise as well as attaining a Human Movement Specialist Certificate through the Brookbush Institute.

Jamie works with a variety of clients from all walks of life, helping many with their health and wellbeing journeys and even some competitive champion athletes to the podium. Jamie is adaptable with his clients and loves making things challenging yet fun for them.

Book a session with Jaime by following this link:
https://ysouthland.org.nz/pt-whanake-house/

  • After a cluster of crises Jamie reached a disabling weight of 240kg, and has used physical activity and exercise to lose over 100kg and become active and able again. With his new found life and passion of regaining movement Jamie left his sedentary office work and moved to Invercargill to study and learn the craft and has found that his empathy and love of seeing others thrive has become an asset in his work with the Y Southland, as a personal trainer, gym trainer and group fitness instructor.

    Outside of the gym, Jamie can be found hiking, playing Badminton, Surfing or playing board games.

  • Mobile: 022 0810 928

    Email: jamie.bryant@ymcasouth.org.nz

Contact Whanake House today.