June 20, 2024 3:26pm by Alwyn Poole

There are some incredible social entrepreneurs for adults with disability challenges.

Justifiably, Louise Upston was challenged yesterday before the Social Services and Community Select Committee for changes that could see a significant number of disable workers worse off.

Sometimes highlighting people and organisations that do an incredible job is the best way.

I became are of www.downlightsnz.com/ when they employed a student who had been at Mt Hobson Middle School while I was Principal there. She is an incredible adult now and throughout her life has been supported by brilliant parents.

Downlights founder Jennifer del Bel is a remarkable person and a part of her story is told here.

She sent me this note earlier in the week:

Downlights is a NZ owned luxury artisan candle & fragranced products company that creates meaningful employment opportunities for young New Zealanders with Down syndrome learning disabilities.

A multi- winning social enterprise, Downlights also pays our staff the Living Wage and we donate NZD1 from every Downlights candle sold via the Downlights Charitable Trust.