We love employers like Craig Freeman, director at Espresso Carwash Café on the corner of Lincoln road and Moorhouse Avenue. He runs a smooth operation and he provides a top notch service but that’s not why we’re full of praise for him. It’s his attitude that we think is brilliant.

A number of people joined us last week in celebrating Kevin Blogg’s second retirement, including Minister for Disability Issues the Hon Nicky Wagner, and Catapult’s CEO, Ali Brown. Kevin has made a major contribution to the disability sector over about 30 years, particularly in the area of employment and acknowledges that starting Catapult is one of his proudest achievements. He will continue his involvement with Catapult as our Patron and supporter. We wish you a very happy retirement Kev and no doubt the Little River community will benefit from your extra free time!

One of Catapult’s trustees, Shane McInroe, has been selected to become part of the co-design group working towards a transformation for the disability support system. Associate Health and Disability Issues Minister Nicky Wagner announced the three month co-design process with the disability sector to begin a nationwide transformation of the disability support system. Minister Wagner says “Input from the disability sector will be vital throughout the transformation process, particularly during the design phase. This change is about ensuring disabled people and their families have greater control over their lives as well as the support they receive from government.” Shane’s extensive knowledge and experience of the disability sector will be invaluable to this working group and we look forward to the outcome.

A friendly canine welcome awaits people when they come into our place in Barrington St. Iwa, (pronounced Ee-waa), a chihuahua, comes to work each day with Vicky, our receptionist/administrator and spends his time keeping staff company as well as providing a friendly distraction for clients. Research is showing that the mere presence of animals helps us to engage with new people and to cope with stress. We have found that a number of clients enjoy Iwa’s presence, and he helps them to relax a little in the stressful time of job search. Iwa seems to enjoy coming to work too, although he does look forward to the weekend, the same way the rest of us do!

CreateIP,  a company which provide “intelligent and dependable advice on all matters related to IP”, recently chose Catapult Employment Services to be the recipient of one of their annual donations to charity. Catapult was chosen as the result of our success in the Champion Canterbury Business Awards where we won the Champion Canterbury Business award for the Charity Small Enterprise section.  Catapult are delighted with the support from CreateIP and are putting the donation towards the fund we use to assist people with some practical things they require to find paid employment. This could be a Site Safe Certificate, a drivers licence, short-term training such as the certificate of approval for security work, or a bus pass and phone card. Sometimes it’s the little things that make a huge difference. Thanks CreateIP!