‘The Buzz’ around Nelson

A Nelson not-for-profit has become a hive of activities, supporting young people with disabilities to successfully transition from their school environment into the workforce.

The Buzz, based in the Habitat for Humanity Hub in Tāhunanui, is helping participants of its programme by providing practical advice and work experience in settings such as the onsite store, foodbank, and cafe.

“The Buzz is a work skills programme aimed at young people between 18 and 30 with neurodiverse needs,” says Jane Linn, co-chair of The Buzz.

“We run a work skills programme, practical hands-on work collaborating with other organisations.”

According to Stats NZ, for the June 2023 quarter, the employment rate for disabled people aged between 15 and 64 years was 39.4 per cent compared to employment of 81.7 per cent for non-disabled people.

Jane says there are a range of barriers to employment for people with neurodiverse needs and The Buzz was formed in 2021 by parents who wanted to address these barriers, providing a pathway from school into the community for young people with learning disabilities.

So far, The Buzz has helped more than 30 people gain the skills, knowledge, and confidence to take the next step into employment through support tailored to meet individual needs.

“We want to see them succeed and build that confidence,” says Jane.

“When they move into that employment situation, you know, it can be a big, scary place and we want to make sure they’re equipped with everything they need, and to support that employer so it’s sustainable and it will continue.”

Participants will learn how to time manage, arrange their transport, work as part of a team, develop CV writing and interview skills, and prepare individual work plans.

A team of Work Skills Facilitators also support by educating participants about their entitlements and responsibilities as paid workers.

As for the impact The Buzz is having on young people in the community, Jane says the feedback they receive is worth the time investment from their team of three part-time staff and 12 volunteers.

“You know, our young people come in and they say this is the only thing they want to get up in the morning for, and when we hear things like that, it’s amazing.”