Portia
“Portia has built up so much confidence and is proving herself to be so capable. When I think about all the amazing people we have met along the way with Portia, it’s pretty cool.”
In many ways, Portia is a typical 18-year-old.
Portia at work.
Portia lives in New Plymouth with her parents, David and Brigette, and is the middle child between Emma (20) and Monty (16). Family life is busy, as it so often can be, with work, school, and other activities to juggle.
Portia loves hanging out with her best friend, Eden (they’re joined at the hip, explains Brigette). She may or may not spend a little too much time glued to her phone (depending on who you ask), and she is an active and sporty person, regularly taking part in Special Olympics basketball, Halberg and Parafed activities, mountain biking with the family, and Cross Fit.
But Portia has a quiet determination that is perhaps less typical of her peers. She also has to work much harder to achieve the milestones others her age might take for granted.
Portia has a learning disability but has always fallen short of meeting the strict criteria for funded disability support. Brigette explains that they’ve been fortunate that the team at New Plymouth Girls’ High School, where Portia was a student until very recently, was able to creatively use the funding they received for students with additional support needs.
“Portia never received funding for learning support at school, but we were lucky that they were able to ensure she got the help she needed. We are so grateful to the team at New Plymouth Girls’ High School as I’m not sure how we would have managed without that support,” she says.
When Portia was in her final year of high school, the school also connected the family to the North Taranaki branch of CCS Disability Action, where Portia met Service Coordinators Brooke Jury and Marie Goldsworthy. Brooke’s role was largely to provide support and guidance to Marie, who was new to this particular service.
“I have really enjoyed working with Portia. She’s such a sweet person. She is quiet with new people but is very cheeky and funny once you get to know her. That’s one of the things I really like about her,” explains Marie.
The feeling is mutual, with Portia describing Marie as “kind” and “helpful.” Brigette explains: “Marie is young too, so she can relate well to Portia. She’s a good communicator – always keeping us informed of what’s happening and nothing is ever a problem. We’re so grateful to Marie and to Brooke.”
While Portia was not eligible for support, Brooke and Marie were able to offer her assistance through a service called ‘Transition Two’. It’s funded exclusively by donations and grant funding and means that people like Portia, who would otherwise miss out completely, are matched with people who will work with them to meet a set of personalised goals.
Portia wanted to gain confidence and independence, see what opportunities might suit her, and ideally, find some work experience to help kick-start her career.
None of these things were an easy ask, but she was determined to put her best foot forward. “When I first met Portia, she was unsure of what she was capable of and what she wanted to do. But she does well with a challenge and was prepared to push herself out of her comfort zone. She just needed some support to find her direction.”
Marie and Portia began catching the bus around town, building up Portia’s independence. Marie also supported Portia to work towards her driver’s license and to enrol in a cooking class, with her being on hand for moral support if needed.
Back of house at Social Kitchen.
Portia and Brigette worked together to develop her CV and, once complete, Marie took Portia into town and began handing it out to prospective employers. They initially focused on retail, but with her love of cooking, Portia decided to extend the CV drop to local restaurants.
The team at Social Kitchen – a restaurant famous with foodies across New Zealand for its high-quality fare – was more than happy to give Portia an opportunity.
After a successful interview, with Brooke by her side – which she prepared for with mock interviews with both teachers at New Plymouth Girls’ High School and Marie – Portia was offered a two-month work experience placement as a kitchen hand in June 2024.
Every Friday afternoon, she had a two-hour shift, where she began to learn the ropes of meal preparation at the busy restaurant.
The work varies slightly each time and, along with helping to keep kitchen stations neat and tidy, has included vegetable preparation and assisting the kitchen staff in preparing food.
It’s work that Portia has really enjoyed. “They are nice, friendly, and helpful. Yesterday, I got to make dumplings and take some home,” she says.
“They’re pretty special people there,” says Brigette. “[Chef] Blair Clement and the team at Social Kitchen have opened their arms to Portia and embraced her. We’re so grateful he gave her that opportunity.”
Marie felt they had found a fantastic fit for Portia. “The team there have been so supportive. I think they enjoy her sense of humour. They’ve been awesome.”
For the first shift, Marie accompanied Portia from school. They caught the bus to Social Kitchen together, and she stayed on while Portia found her feet before returning together.
Portia felt that she could handle the work experience on her own, so for a while, Marie was just on hand for the bus ride there and back. Later still, with Portia’s confidence rising, all she wanted was to be walked to and from the bus stops at each end – with Portia doing the rest.
This growing independence is something to be celebrated. “Portia has gained so much confidence in such a short time. She knows she can call us any time, but she’s largely been doing her own thing with the work experience. It’s great to see,” says Marie.
Portia clearly made a positive impression because, at the end of her work experience placement, when a paid part-time position became available, Social Kitchen snapped her up.
Portia (left) with her mum Brigette.
When asked how she felt in that moment, Portia says, “I felt happy and excited.” Her first call to share the news was, unsurprisingly, to Eden.
She now continues her Friday shifts as an employee and buses back and forth to work completely independently. She quite rightly feels great about how far she’s come.
“I feel proud of everything I’ve done,” she says.
Brigette is also proud of her daughter and grateful for what she brings to their lives. “Portia has built up so much confidence and is proving herself to be so capable. When I think about all the amazing people we have met along the way with Portia, it’s pretty cool,” she says.
She is also appreciative of those who made CCS Disability Action’s support possible. “I am grateful to those people who donated money to CCS Disability Action. It’s allowed Portia all these opportunities that she wouldn’t have otherwise had,” she says.