Continually Improving at ConneXu

Michael Atkin - Outcome Lead, Guy Ockenden Continuous Improvement Manager, Sally Watt, Outcome Lead.

Meet ConneXu’s Continuous Improvement Team.

When you sit down with ConneXu Continuous Improvement Manager Guy Ockenden, and Outcomes Leads Sally Watt (Tauranga / Taupo) and Michael Atkin (Waikato), it’s hard to ignore their shared energy and passion for the work they do. 

“My role is Continuous Improvement Manager and relates to overall organisational improvement,” says Guy. 
“Sally and Michael are Outcomes Leads and are more focussed on establishing, facilitating and ensuring in collaboration with Leaders and Community Facilitators that the dreams aspirations and goals of the disabled partners are being realised.” 

Sally says that every situation is different, but working with partners on their goals and aspirations starts with getting to know them first and developing an understanding what they want. 

“Whether it’s one specific thing they want support with, or they need more structured planning or need help and support to improve their general wellbeing or quality of life, it’s always outcomes-focused,” says Sally. 

“Once we get to know the partner and the direction we’re going in, we collaborate with the Team Leaders and Community Facilitators and families, and 'make sure everyone is included in the process. We’re always focused on what the partner ultimately wants – we’re advocating for them, supporting and assisting them, helping to break down barriers and help them reach their goals,” she says. 

Michael adds that accessing support of Outcomes Leads “is based on self-referral from the partners themselves. Some partners may not be able to complete a referral on their own, so are supported in their decision making to seek our help,” 

   
The addition of a Continuous Improvement team is relatively new at ConneXu. 

“It’s new and we’re building up from nothing. We’re working out how we operate and need to ensure that the goals that have been established with the partners are actually occurring,” says Guy. “It’s important that all of us – Leaders, Community Facilitators, whanau all operate in the same way. It’s very collaborative.” 

Guy says working in the disability sector is in his blood. “I have worked in the disability sector for many years, with organisations including NZ Riding for the Disabled and Parent to Parent. When you’re in the disability sector, something happens to you. After having a short break from it, I missed it so much. I deliberately decided I wanted to get back closer to the people and joined ConneXu as Leader of Partnerships & Enablement in 2022. I have been leading the Continuous Improvement Team since July 2023.” 

Guy recruited Sally and Michael into the team in December 2023. 

“I had to find the right people who can work collegially and bounce ideas off each other while being partner-centric,” says Guy. "Sally and Michael both fit that description in their own unique ways. 

A UK native from the northern city of Manchester, Sally was travelling around New Zealand as a backpacker when she decided to make a life here and applied for a position as a ConneXu Community Facilitator in 2021. “Working as a Community Facilitator I was naturally doing some of this outcomes-based work with partners already, so it was a natural progression to join the team as an Outcomes Lead focusing on it full time,” says Sally. “When you’re working in Community Facilitation it’s not always possible to fully focus on achieving more long-term goals, depending on the circumstances and other demands and resource constraints. It’s great being able to focus on it full time and feel like I am making a positive difference.” 

Michael has a background working in the disability sector, previously working as a Support Worker for another provider in vocational services, before moving up to a leadership role as a Service Lead. After taking a break from the sector, he saw a role at ConneXu and applied. “I actually applied for a different position as a Community Leader. Guy got wind of it and came into my interview and encouraged me to join his team instead,” says Michael. 
“The more I thought about this role, the more I could see myself doing it. I get to be involved in bettering people’s lives, working directly with partners and their teams. It feels like the right fit for me.”  

The teams’ shared belief in the work they are doing is what binds them together. “The three of us are keen to get involved and as many areas as we can for the partners. We’re all on the same page,” says Michael. Sally adds, “Everyone’s motivation is the same, we’re all here for the same reason."
“For me, I truly believe that the society and community we have was not created for people with disabilities and that is wrong. The work we do here will help them feel a sense of belonging."

Michael believes in developing people and setting people up to succeed on their own. “I believe in a holistic approach to development, looking at each person as a whole, rather than in a specific setting. We should build our approach around the person. But within the sector you see a lot of the work is focused on one thing at a time and ticking a box. Nobody’s life is a tick box. They deserve our best efforts.”

Guy agrees and says it’s about equity and fairness. “I subscribe to the social model where society disables people. For me it’s about equity and fairness – I loathe and despise isolation." 

“I believe you’re a kiwi and you’re part of who we are. You make our lives richer, and you have a right to the same things I do.”