Kalandra students to start at NCF

In a few months, Neuro Connection Foundation will welcome students from the Kalandra Education Group. Expected to start in August later this year, the students will be attending two days a week to “provide assistance” and “extra hands” to support the expert team of Conductors during class.

Michele Henderson, head lecturer for the Kalandra rehabilitation programme, says that she is looking forward to the opportunity to work with NCF to ensure, that together, we can empower more people with neurological conditions to lead more independent lives. Michele comes with 20 years rehabilitation experience and is currently a PhD candidate with a degree in Health Psychology, which emphasizes a biopsychosocial approach to health and wellness.

Kalandra students qualify for the programme with a pre-determined level of caregiving or a Level 3 NZQA in Caregiving, or both. On completion of the 41-week course, students will graduate with the qualification: New Zealand Certificate in Rehabilitation Support (Chronic Illness) Level 4. The purpose of the qualification will be to benefit NCF with graduates who have the skills, knowledge, professionalism and behaviours, including dignity, empathy and respect, that are required to provide rehabilitation support both for the client and family/whanau. Students will graduate as ‘Supporters’ in the sense, that they will not be fully qualified Conductors but become qualified to “provide assistance” to expert caregivers.

Christine Clark, chair of the NCF board of trustees says, “as the CE of Kalandra and the chair of NCF, I am really keen to ensure that everyone is happy and excited about this project. I truly believe that both our clients and the students will benefit greatly from this collaboration. This may also be the way to ensure that NCF can extend its services to the greater Auckland region. I also wish to reassure you all that there is no conflict between my role in both organisations. We have ensured that at NCF Board level that I do not take part in any discussions nor decision making in this matter.”

About Kalandra Education Group
Kalandra Education Group is a new institute originating from an extensive and very successful Category One Private Training Organisation called Corporate Academy Group (CAG), which was first registered in 1999. The focus on health - in particular, on aged care - is in response to the findings of Doctoral Studies that Christine Clark has undertaken. In a world dominated by an ageing society, there is huge opportunity to create unique and much-needed programmes providing the caring that our older people deserve.