Maketu Health & Social Service

What an eventful day it was at the Hauora Tuesday 28th February. First off hearing therapist Trish Ellis from LIFE Unlimited – Te Ao Marama was in doing hearing checks, Catherine Crowcher (Kaimirimiri) was busy with client appointments, Suzy Butler (Kaiwhakahaere KDC Prog) were out on the town with our Kaumatua Roopu and Nicky Bird (Rangatahi Coordinator) had rangatahi doing Surfing Lessons at Newdicks Beach.

Trish Ellis was able to provide a FREE, independent service to our community who were concerned about their hearing. Our clients were given an evaluation and discussed hearing difficulties they were faced with. Trish discussed ways of dealing with hearing problems by teaching clients how to improve their communication skills and how to use their hearing more effectively. It was a great success.

In the other room we had our Kaimirimiri Catherine Crowcher relieving the tensions and stress from client’s bodies all day long. Our Kaimirimiri has an extensive and diverse background in massage therapy with a passion of traditional healing methods of all cultures, such as:

•        Shiatsu
•        Ortho-Bionomy
•        Lymphatic therapies
•        Hawaiin massage
•        Rongoa
•       20 years experience in remedial body work

As always Catherine’s clients are always coming back every week. I am always hearing great comments about how they cannot function properly without having their weekly visits and how rejuvenated they feel when they walk out. I notice clients slouching when they walk in and when they walk out their posture has improved and they also have a sense of relief on their faces. Catherine is the one to see if your body isn’t doing what you want it to do.

Our Kaumatua enjoyed a lovely day out at the Mount where they were treated to the movies and an all you can eat buffet at Kwangchow Restaurant. The preferred movie to watch was War Horse, while others were also interested in Contraband and Safe House.

At the end of the day Nicky Bird took our Rangatahi to their surfing lessons at Newdicks beach. Rangatahi were concerned that Whaea Nicky would cancel the surf lessons due to the rain. They couldn’t bear to hear it was cancelled. The rain did not stop them! Keani Walters said “it’s better if it rains, the water is warmer”. Nicky continued the lessons and everyone was happy.

Just another day at Maketu Health & Social Services.

Raven Walker