Te Awamutu Residential Trust is sporting a new look and couldn’t be happier. In fact, not only has the look and feel of its brand changed but also its name.

Now known as ConneXu the organisation thought it was a great opportunity to change things up a bit, as not only does 2015 mark its 25th year facilitating support alongside people with disabilities, but also helps communicate its commitment to a new era of providing collaborative, flexible disability support.

“As times have changed, so too have the expectations of the people we support, their families/whanau and advocates. We are evolving to meet these changing expectations and believe now is a great time to become more visible and highlight what we can currently facilitates, and outline what kinds of support we are able to facilitate in the future,” ConneXu CEO Fern Ryan says.

With that in mind a key focus for ConneXu is providing more flexible and personalised facilitated support to better suit each individual. This ranges from fully supported residential care through to highly independent living. It also embraces the principles of Enabling Good Lives, a partnership between government agencies and the disability sector.

“Each person has a different vision of the way they want their life to be,” says ConneXu Operations Manager Kate Shaw.

She says it is ConneXu’s role to achieve this, whilst still providing the reassurance to clients that they still have all the back up and support they need. “It’s up to them, and their families, to determine exactly what that level of support should be.”

Another core component of ConneXu’s philosophy, which is reflected in its new name, is connecting people with disabilities. Through these connections rich and meaningful lives can be created.

“The people we support are now placing more importance on hobbies, being part of community groups or taking on new challenges such as getting jobs or starting their own businesses. We want to make sure we’re supporting them in the best way possible,” says Kate.

Read more about the wonderful work ConneXu is doing.