How can you be involved?

Evaluations:

Regular  evaluations are completed by participants to ensure our service continues to be responsive to the needs and interests of those who attend Ace House. The information you give helps us provide groups and activities that you want, and make changes and improvements to current activities.   Please ensure you to give us honest feedback.

Suggestion Boxes

There is a suggestion box at each of our centres. Please write down your suggestions for new groups, how we can improve current activities or any other suggestions for improving our service.
You need not put your name on your suggestion - it’s up to you .

Term Programme - What’s On???

Ace House runs on a three term year.  The term programme outlines the various groups being run and on what day and time they happen.  The programme alters from term to term to suit the needs of the group so please ask a staff member for an updated copy and discuss with them which groups you would like to participate in.  When you decide on the groups you want to attend you will receive your own “personal weekly plan” outlining the groups you are in for the term.

House Meeting / Client Committee

A meeting where "everyday" issues, concerns or suggestions are discussed, currently takes place each Wednesday Afternoon.  An agenda is set at the beginning of the meeting so that everyone can have their say.  A person is elected each term to “chair” the meeting and an independent member of staff records the details of what is discussed.  In addition, a client committee meeting occurs monthly to discuss issues of importance regarding the everyday running of Ace House.  Two representatives will then attend the monthly Executive Board meeting to represent the views of service users.

Strategic Planning Day

Every few years our organisation has a strategic planning day. This involves bringing together consumers, staff, executive board members and people from other related organisations, to look at what has been achieved by our organisation in the past few years and collectively set goals for the future.

Newsletters

A newsletter is produced at the end of each term by the members of the Ace House computer and Internet group.  We welcome your input. If you have poems, short stories, recipes or any "bits & pieces" you would like to share please let us know.

YOUR RIGHTS?

Your Rights while attending our service are outlined in the Code of Health and Disability Services Consumer Rights and are as follows:

·         Right to be treated with respect

·         Right to Freedom from discrimination, coercion, harassment and exploitation.

·         Right to Dignity and Independence.

·         Right to Services of an Appropriate Standard.

·         Right to effective communication.

·         Right to make an informed choice and give informed consent.

·         Right to Support.

·         Rights in Respects of Teaching or Research.

·         Right to Complain.

What if I am not happy about something

Wellington After-Care operates to provide a quality service to consumers and their whanau. We wish to know if our service does not provide this. If something is not right for you, please let us know so that we can rectify the matter. If you see or hear something that you know is not right, breaches your rights, or makes you feel uncomfortable, please do one of the following:

·         Talk to a staff member you feel most comfortable with. If you are uncomfortable or dissatisfied at that level Contact the Co-ordinator of the particular centre or service. A meeting may be arranged with you and a support person/advocate to deliberate and deal with issues raised to mutual satisfaction.

·         If you are uncomfortable or dissatisfied at that level And you feel your complaint is still unresolved, contact the Manager of Wellington After-Care Association by phone or letter.

·         If no satisfactory outcome is achieved, external mediation will be sought. At any time you may choose to take your complaint outside of Wellington After-Care Association to an independent advocacy agency e.g. Health and Disability Advocacy Trust, The Human Rights Commission, The Privacy Commission, Race Relations

Our Expectation Of You

Ace House is a shared place. We ask that you respect others and their right to be there. We also ask that you show respect for the equipment and material property here and that you be responsible for cleaning up after yourself.  The Clients attending Ace House developed a set of Guidelines for people while at the centre:

    * Be Honest, Respectful and Listen to each other.
    * Clean up after yourself
    * Please smoke outside
    * Take turns and share all equipment at Ace House
    * Work together as a team
    * Be aware of differences
    * Be aware of other people's personal space
    * Share the responsibilities
    * The Front Room is designated as a quiet space.  The Back Room as a place where it's okay to be noisy.
    * Have Fun in the groups.

Cost

There is no cost to attend Ace House if you receive a sickness or invalids benefit but that there may be associated expenses with some groups e.g. members attending the “café cruising” group will need to bring money to pay for their own hot or cold drink.