I am writing to offer my endorsement for the work that Fuse have done with our residential deaf students here at van Asch Deaf Education Centre. We currently have 13 students who are living with us during term time, aged 14 years to 20 years.
Fuse Youth Centre have worked with us consistently now since 2010, providing one afternoon a week of activities for our residential students. Their strong connection with the wider Sumner Community has also benefited us, providing links, contacts, activities and inclusion for our students in the wider Sumner community.
The relationship has continued to build between our school and the Youth Centre in the years since the earthquakes. The youth workers provided a break for our students from the stress of being in this area during the time of the earthquakes. We have very much appreciated the hard work, thought and adaptability of the Fuse team in communicating with our students, and learning of their backgrounds and difficult circumstances they face everyday with living away from home. The students and staff alike enjoy the professionalism, commitment to clear communication, and enjoyment they show in their work.
We value the input and collaborative working relationship that has been established. We hope that we are able to continue to grow this valuable resource between the two services in coming years to continue to benefit our deaf residential students.
Sarah De Heer
Van Asch Deaf Education Centre
Thank you so much for making their holiday programmes so special - every time. The boys both love hanging out with you and Gareth and always comment on how much fun they have. It‘s pretty clear that this isn‘t just a job for you both 🙂
Nina
Fuse programme is really great. To have a place for Tweens and teens to meet and "hang out" is a real treasure for the community of Sumner. The school holiday Programmes, discos, and Big nights out also provide kids a way to interact and engage. In a world of electronics and "couch based " actives this programme is a real gem. I suggest more Programmes like Fuse in many more communities!
Bob Bower
Parent
Fuse Youth Centre provides a valuable space for young people to hang out in after school, as well as running excellent term-time and holiday programmes. My own children were heavily involved with Fuse when they were younger, and our twins benefit hugely from the activities organised after the Canterbury earthquakes. My son still meets up regularly with friends that he met at Fuse over 10 years ago. Fuse Youth Centre is a very important place for the youth of Sumner and nearby. It supports families and young people to be the best they can be with dedicated youth workers who care a great deal for the young people. I have the pleasure of knowing Gareth Davies, the manager and Fenella the youth worker and we are able to work well with them as a church in supporting families in our area.
Rick
I am writing this letter of endorsement today for the Shoreline Youth Trust and the valuable work that it does in the Sumner community. Many Families rely on the skills, services and positive support they offer, especially as it has a direct effect on our community's wellbeing. FUSE is a particularly important and appreciated resource for Sumner. It’s really important to have groups like the Shoreline Youth Trust in communities like Sumner as it is a small and unique area, and we rely greatly on collaborative community development. We freely endorse the good work that the Shoreline Youth Trust does, and hope to continue to have a positive working relationship with them in the future.
Eddie
Not only do they provide games and equipment for our residential students to use they also interact and engage fully with them, as positive role models. The FUSE team are always looking for new opportunities to bring our students together with the youth in Sumner and Redcliffs, and the social skills that result in such times is priceless
Laurinda-Lee Grady
Residential Social Worker
The service Fuse provides to young people are invaluable in that they allow our youth to participate in planned group learning activities and to socialise outside of school. As a working parent, it is wonderful to know my daughter is in a safe and fun after school environment - she loves attending sessions at Fuse!
Katia Addison
Parent
My name is Tim Kearns, and I am Acting Principal at Our Lady Star of the Sea School, Sumner. I am writing to fully endorse the hard work and community spirit generated by the wonderful folk at Fuse Youth Centre. Their ability to foster relationships with children, schools and the wider community is, and has been, nothing short of impressive. They have woven themselves beautifully into the very fabric of the Sumner Community.
I recently sat down with a group of children from Star of the Sea to take onboard their feedback with regards to Fuse. They all immediately talked about the people, particularly Gareth, Holly and Aaron (who has since moved on). These fine folk are instantly approachable and engaging. They are ‘naturals’ when in comes to interacting with children, whether at Fuse ‘Headquarters,’ or when they arrive at our school to assist with lunctime duties. I have been nothing but impressed with the way the Fuse team roll up their sleeves, get stuck in and exhibit outstanding professionalism.
I also know they provide a number of superb opportunities for the children; whether that be after school activities and and a safe after school Friday social hub, or holiday programmes that are stacked with variety and appeal. Again, the feedback from the children at Star of the Sea was extremely positive.
On behalf of the Our Lady Star of the Sea School community, I applaud the efforts of Fuse, and sincerely hope they can continue to build upon their superb efforts well into the future.
Tim Kearns
Our Lady Star of the Sea School
