Hands Up if you are Ready to sign!

31 May 2023

From Monday 8th to Sunday 14th May 2023 in Aotearoa NZ, saw people from across the country embrace the opportunity to create a more inclusive community as part of National Sign Language Week.  

Justine Thorpe is one of the HardyGroup Executive Learning Set members and is the CEO of Tū Ora Compass Health a Primary and community care organisation of around 240 employees that supports health and wellbeing services for the population of our Greater Wellington and Wairarapa regions.  Justine and her colleagues embraced the challenge of learning sign language during the awareness week.

“As a healthcare and wellbeing community, we need to acknowledge the needs of our deaf community and have some basic skills to communicate in one of the official languages of Aotearoa, New Zealand,” says CEO Justine Thorpe.

One of Justine’s colleagues, was particularly excited to share his knowledge and experience using sign language with members of his whānau.

“This year I’m delighted to see the final results for our contribution for both the NZ sign language week leadership challenge and our group entry, which includes eight Tū Ora staff signing to the waiata Te Aroha”

We are an essential part of the regional health system, working alongside 57 General Practices, allied health, community-based providers, Iwi, and community leaders to deliver quality and equitable health and wellbeing services. 

As part of our NZ sign language week celebrations, we want to showcase our progress in learning sign language and to acknowledge our very own sign language ambassador Kevin O’Neill Tū Ora General Manager Corporate Services.
 
Kevin has led regular free sign language courses over the last year, which over 100 people have attended.

Many people in the organisation can now use and understand basic sign language greetings and phrases. 

HardyGroup is very proud to play a small role in promoting organization, such as Tu Ora Compass, who showcase this kind of inclusive leadership and by shaping the future through our work with Whaikaha, the Ministry of Disabled Persons, and a range of executive appoints that have been undertaken.

Watch the full video: