Empowering people living with disabilities
OUR FOCUS
VISION
Our vision is to empower our member services to be inclusive and well informed to meet the challenges of people living with disabilities
MISSION
The Lakeland Disabilities Support Trust aims to support Forum Member Organisations in their delivery of advocacy, promotion, education, prevention, support and information services to people living with disabilities.
VALUES
Ratonga tautoko ki te whakarato i nga korero ki nga tangata e noho paanga ana.
Building collective relationships with our Forum Member Organisations to ensure they are well informed and supported to provide information to people living with disabilities
OUR FORUM MEMBER ORGANISATIONS
OUR TRUSTEES
Elsie Westerman
Hello, I'm Elsie Westman, and my journey with Lakeland Disability Support Trust began in 2019 when I joined as a Trustee.
Originally from the vibrant city of Rotorua, I proudly trace my ancestry back to Ngāti Whakaue, Ngāti Rangiteaorere, and Ngāti Porou. As a devoted wife and mother , my passion lies in giving back to the community that has nurtured me.
I am the team leader of Work Together Rotorua which is an initiative of St Chads Life Skills Hub. We support people with disabilities and health conditions into paid employment and support ORs funded students in their last year of high school into their community. I have being this type of work for 20 years and I still enjoy supporting tangata waikaha to overcome challenges as well as seeing their personal growth and self confidence of the tangata waikaha during our time together.
Dr Jeanette Hastie
Dr Jeanette Hastie is an academic staff member in the Bachelor of Social Work programme at a New Zealand Polytechnic. A registered social worker with extensive experience in health, disability and community services, Jan's teaching and research focus on Kaupapa Māori approaches, Takiwātanga (autism), neurodiversity, disability, and whānau experiences of service systems in Aotearoa New Zealand. Her doctoral research explored the lived experiences of Māori Māmā raising Tamariki with Takiwātanga in relation to education, health and the community. Jan is committed to research that centre whānau voices and contribute to more equitable and culturally responsive practice. Jan has an adult daughter with the lived experience of Takiwātanga and Kanorau ā-roro (intellectual disability) that has driven her quest to study and research in social work and psychology.
Photograph from Left to Right: Jessica (daughter), Bricharne (daughter), Jeanette and Marc (son).
Mary Barnett
Hello, I'm Mary Barnett, currently serving as both trustee and treasurer of Lakeland Disability Support Trust.
Having lived in Rotorua for three decades, I draw inspiration from my family's roots in Oamaru, Mount Aoraki, and the Waitaki River.
Professionally, I'm the Local Area Coordinator (Lakes District) for Your Way | Kia Roha, a trust dedicated to empowering disabled individuals to lead fulfilling lives within their communities.
For 16 years, I've passionately supported tāngata whaikaha – disabled individuals and their whānau – in accessing community supports and fostering inclusive environments. I strongly believe in their inherent leadership and advocacy.
As a trustee, I'm proud of LDST's role in facilitating partnerships and innovation, enabling local organizations to enhance community support and resources. It's rewarding to witness our collective impact on community collaboration and progress
