Our Recipient Charities

SPELD NZ

At least one in ten people have dyslexia which impacts on literacy/numeracy development. These are essential skills needed to gain an education, employment, participate socially and contribute economically to the community.

SPELD NZ is a not-for-profit organisation providing assessment, tuition and training that can transform the lives of those with specific learning disabilities (SLD) such as dyslexia. It relies heavily on sourcing local funding to support its Western Bay of Plenty Local Liaison Group.

Local funding goes towards SPELD NZ’s financial assistance scheme for SLD learners from low income families. It is hard for parents to accept that their child has a learning disability; it is even harder when they realise they cannot afford to pay for the help needed.

Acorn Foundation funding also assists local schoolteachers to upskill through SPELD NZ’s NZQA-approved training.

Local funding also helps SPELD NZ to keep membership fees affordable. Many parents are dyslexic themselves and in low paying jobs. Teaching the next generation skills to gain educational qualifications can help break familial poverty cycles.

Providing SLD learners support before negative behaviours develop reduces stress on whanau and schools. It also cuts costs to social welfare (less long-term benefit dependency), health (mental health issues) and the justice system (youth offending, crime).