Imogen’s kitchen rules

Imogen Dobbs is developing gourmet tastes and smart kitchen practices that are keeping her Mum, Penny, on her toes.

Imogen is a team member in Recreate NZ’s Our Harvest kitchen in Auckland, where she helps to process fruit and vegetables grown in Recreate’s two orchards at Kumeu and Karaka. The skills she has learned have led to a part-time job as a kitchen assistant at Gatting’s Catering in the city.

Brent Jenkin, General Manager at Recreate NZ, says its work experience programmes develop great work habits and transferable skills. The organisation offers pathways for learning and development for young people with intellectual disabilities like Imogen, working with the individual and the family to gradually introduce new challenges and goals.

“The programmes are tailored to respond to our young participants’ needs at each stage of their life, developing all the skills required to live as full and independently as possible.”

Programmes for the junior age group focus on social and behavioural skills and learning to do things in a group or team. Participants add more skills as they move through the youth and young adult age groups, including adventure activities that push boundaries and develop self-esteem and confidence.

“Learning and development culminates in our education steam, where participants learn all the activities of daily living in our life-skills programme and can be followed up with the Moxie work experience programmes,” Brent says.

Penny Dobbs says the programmes have been life-changing for Imogen. “They provide an opportunity for our young people to connect with peers in an environment where they are genuinely valued for their capabilities,” she says.

“Imogen’s experience with the Moxie Our Harvest group and the skills she has learnt opened a pathway to employment.

“Imogen loves the process of product-making and then the marketing and selling. Her communication skills have improved so much. She practises her sales pitch at home – and on our friends often – and has terrific product knowledge.”

Last year Recreate received a $45,000 grant from the IHC Foundation towards its life skills programme.

Photo caption: Imogen Dobbs (third from the left) with the Our Harvest team.