It would provide an ‘‘understanding environment’’ and ‘‘welcoming place’’ for families who might not feel able to take their children to some social settings because of physical or learning disabilities their children had, Mrs Currie said.
Families with adult children with disabilities were also welcome.
‘‘It’s nice to have a group where you can talk to other parents and caregivers who are in the same situation. There are lots of support groups for young people who have various disabilities, but not a lot for the people who support them.’’
The Central Otago group is being founded by Alexandra Youth Base team leader Sharleen Stirling-Lindsay, who established a similar successful Project Adapt when she lived in North Canterbury.
Ms Stirling-Lindsay said she had noticed a need for the group since moving to Alexandra 18 months ago and several parents had talked to her about the benefits such a group would provide.
She said the key to the group would be its informality and the networking it could provide; parents who met at social gatherings might continue to meet and support each other outside the group.
The first gathering of the group would be held in spring and probably be ‘‘something simple like a picnic in the park’’, Ms Stirling-Lindsay said.
• For more information contact Crystal Currie on 027 314-5205.
