Community Mentoring

One person points out a path winding between hills to another person

Aawhina Hapori

Our vision is: Everyone is important. Everyone is valued. Everyone has a place of belonging in their communities.

Interactionz is a community builder. Strong people build strong communities. We aim to build people’s strength and capability so they can live the lives they choose as contributors to their communities.

When individuals and communities are healthy and strong, we all benefit.

Mentors and Volunteers

We all need a little help sometimes, especially if we experience barriers to participating in our communities.

Our mentors and volunteers help you live the life you want to live.

They support and encourage you to get the resources you need and build the skills, strength, and confidence to live the life you choose as independently as possible as part of your community.  

Who We Work With

Interactionz works with people from diverse backgrounds, ethnicities, ages, and abilities.

We work directly with you and your whaanau/family or through other community service agencies.

Interactionz is based in Hamilton, and we work mostly with people in the Waikato area – but we can help if you live somewhere else. We might be able to help you online or over the phone, or we can suggest people to call in your local area.

Interactionz’ mentoring works for people who are:

  • feeling stuck and would like support to explore their options

  • part of the disabled community – physical, intellectual, sensory (e.g. Deaf, hearing impaired, blind, low vision); neurodivergent (e.g. autism, ADHD); or looking for mental health/wellbeing support

  • feeling excluded or alone and seeking more community connection

  • wanting support to navigate social situations and connect with others

  • wanting support to build skills and confidence

  • adjusting to living independently

  • transitioning from school

  • changing careers

  • making employment and/or life changes due to redundancy, accident, or impairments

Give us a call and we can talk about how we can help you.

How We Work

A person seated in a bean bag talks about their dreams for their best life. A facilitator guides the process and an illustrator records the person’s ideas in picture on a large sheet of paper taped to the wall.

Plan

We offer a variety of planning processes to help you visualise the future you want, and to plan the steps that will move you forward. We can have a simple chat and write a plan, or make a plan using pictures and graphics.

Three people sit at a table sharing coffee. One of them, who has a crutch resting against the table, shares an idea.

Transition

We work with you as you develop the skills and confidence to take each step. We help you build meaningful relationships that support you. We work at your speed, and you decide how much input you want from us. 

A person on a park bench has a conversation with a person in a wheelchair. Another person flags down a bus. People read in a library. Others walk on a hill in the background.

Transform

Once you have your natural support network in place, you won’t need us anymore – unless you want to set a new goal with the support of our mentors. Then we start the process again from the beginning.

What People Say . . .

  • A person with a speech bubble

    “You all seem so loving and understanding. Thank you so much.”

    Connor

  • A person with a speech bubble

    “The five hours went by so quickly as it was so constructive and such a positive experience.”

    Shiree

  • A person with a speech bubble

    "Interactionz has a good team. Staff are friendly and I can book meetings with them if I need to."

    Stephanie

  • A person with a speech bubble

    "This was a very worthwhile exercise and Katie often refers to it and has a great sense of achievement when she meets her goals." (PATH plan)

    Lynette, mother of Katie