YES Disability Resource Centre

This Takapuna North project started in the mid-1990s when one of our members suffered a cycling accident that resulted in serious brain damage. He realised that the support for disabled people on the North Shore was fragmented, and those in need faced real problems in getting care. The Club initially tried working with North Shore City Council, however, the project got mired in local politics and by 2005, was in the doldrums. The Club made a final effort and got the project off the ground with 8 clubs on the North Shore combining under Takapuna North to complete the Centre, a first in such a collaboration! It was complex as it needed a strong business model to ensure it survived as well as the funds to get it built. Two rental floors assisted in this as well as a disability equipment display area. After a few years, this too was converted to rental space. Although launched as the North Shore Life Centre it changed its name to The YES Disability Resource Centre. It proved very successful, with all the rental spaces supporting disability support organisations and is now a major player on the North Shore. Our original Club member was a proud man indeed to see his dream come true!