About

About The Buzz

The Buzz is a work skills programmme established in 2021 by a group of local parents. The families recognized that their young people with learning differences, faced many barriers when making the transition from school into the community.

Our Vision
All young people have opportunities to develop work skills and be ‘work ready’, to achieve their goal of purposeful work/employment that matches their unique abilities, and enables a sense of belonging and contribution to their local community.

Our Mission
The Buzz supports young people with intellectual disability and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), aged 16 – 30 years, prepare for work by providing skills based programmes and community networking opportunities.

Recent newspaper articles:

The Buzz: Helping neurodiverse rangatahi learn work skills

‘The Buzz’ around Nelson

Watch the short video made by the Rātā Foundation to learn more:

Meet the Team

The Buzz team are skilled, experienced, and qualified in working with young people with diverse needs.

Committee

Jane Linn: Co-Chair

Kia Ora, The Buzz is a result of big dreams, inspired and motivated families, and many hours of hard work. It is a huge privilege to watch the young people blossom in this environment. I am a passionate advocate of inclusion for everyone and I see young people with diverse needs as positive contributors to our workplaces and communities, they are the ‘icing on the cake’. My varied background is in nursing, social work, and teaching, and when I’m not ‘Buzzing’ or teaching, you will probably find me on the tennis court, biking, swimming, or enjoying precious family time.

Andrea Lee: Co-Chair

Kia ora, working to create opportunities for young people with neurodiversity and learning disability is close to my heart. Opportunity creates ability, and we know most disabled young people are not offered the same opportunities as their peers. The Buzz address this imbalance and it’s my pleasure to volunteer as part of the committee. My experience spans over 30 years in paid, volunteer, and governance roles in the not for profit sector including both the education and disability sector. A sociology degree in social policy informs my work and approach to community development and social change. My current roles include Executive Director for Fragile X New Zealand, a board member for Parent to Parent NZ, and member of the Live Life Disability Service Advisory Partnership Group.

Graham Warner: Treasurer

Hi there, I was privileged to be invited to join The Buzz Committee by Helen McDonnell to provide guidance with governance and managing The Buzz finances. I have worked for various financial institutions all my working life and feel honoured to be part of this group of hardworking, caring people. The Buzz is a fantastic organisation dedicated to helping a great bunch of young people striving to make their way in the world.

Helen McDonnell

Kia ora. I am passionate about creating opportunities for young people living with diverse needs so that they can flourish in the community. I believe it is a collective responsibility to ensure that no one is left behind in society and I enjoy working collaboratively to meet that goal. My experience over the years includes working as an Occupational Therapist, Disability Coordinator, Teacher aide and in governance roles. I am a mum of two young adults who have support needs and when I get some precious free time I love to create artwork, read, bike and go for beach and bush walks.

Alfie Linn: Committee Young Persons’ Rep & Buzz member

Hi everyone, I like working at the ‘nook’ cafe and helping out. I like to make sure the customers are happy. I like being at the Buzz because I help the Food Bank and spend time with my friends. When I’m not at the Buzz I like playing lots of sports, I played table tennis for NZ and was the flag bearer.

Shane Blows

Kia ora, I am very privileged to join the Buzz team; it excites me to see young people with neurodiversity/disabilities smashing their goals. I hail from a background of Disability and Employment Services of 18 plus years which ranged from hands on through to management. I pride myself to think outside the square for solutions/ideas. I have competed on the world stage in high performance sports with Paralympics NZ, also selected for the NZ Wheelchair basketball team. Sporting highlight was winning x2 gold medals at 2017 World Master games (Handcycling). I believe being fit, heathy and confident equals goals exceeded.

Staff

Jana Neynens: Work Skills Facilitator

I moved to New Zealand in 2009 after I finished my degree as a Qualified Educator in Special Needs Education in Germany. My favourite things to do are travel and spending time with family and friends. I believe that anything is possible if you set your mind to it and I love to be creative in finding ways to work towards achieving goals.

Greg Dyer: Operational Coordinator

Karen Kearney: Work Skills Facilitator

Volunteers

Gera Verheul: Volunteer Operations Team

Kia ora I love embracing the diversity of people, all our differences make for a better society. I am an autism coach working with people of all ages, with families, schools and organisations. On Fridays I volunteer at the Buzz group, it's my highlight of the week, The young people are great fun and inspirational, with many hidden talents. I love that we can help other organisations like the Foodbank and Restore. I'm passionate about creating the right environment so people can succeed. To treat people equally you have to treat them differently. In my spare time I love to swim in the sea all year, I like going for hikes and bike rides, pottering in my garden and I'm a keen knitter and crocheter.

Carolyn Mackay

Philippa Winch

Jordan McBride

Founding members

Sal Randall
Ali Beasley
Helen Mc Donnell
Jane Linn