Renaissance History

Barry de Geest and Carmel Henry established the company in 2001.  In good old kiwi tradition, Renaissance was born in a garage,  Carmel’s garage to be precise, on the smell of an oily rag and a total belief that we were going to succeed in changing the way services were provided to disabled people in this country.

Our decision to set up Renaissance and provide the service the way we do was greatly inspired by a group of young people from Pakuranga, in particular, Martin Williams.  We met Martin and his family through our involvement with the Health Funding Authority at the time.  It was Martin Williams was determination to live in his own place and never have to go back into institutional care again.  He didn’t let his muscular dystrophy stop him from attaining his dream, which in 2001 became a reality.  Martins struggle with beaurocracy from every angle in his fight to achieve what for most people would be considered the “norm”, made us both very angry.  So.....we decided to set up a Supported Living Service there and then, that would make leaving home to go flatting, have friends, socialise, work, settle down with someone they love etc, just as common and acceptable for disabled people as it is for the rest of the population.

From the garage, to a spare room in the house of our very first support worker, Steph Openshaw, to our first real offices in Manukau and Albany, to where we are today, our service and company has grown from strength to strength.  Our initial team of Carmel, Steph (who was blind), and Eleanor Hooper, our administrator, receptionist, resident computer expert (who was hearing impaired), we now employ over 80 people across Auckland, and provide service to over 240 disabled people at any one time, making us one of the largest providers of Supported Living in the country.

This is the history of Renaissance so far, but disabled people still face enormous challenges in their quest to live a full life in this country.  Renaissance are committed to look at innovative ways of changing the system, providing support, and providing equipment and gadgets, that will assist people in their dreams.

Thanks to all the disabled people we work with for your determination and courage.  Thanks to the NASC’s, in particular Taikura Trust for their support and encouragement over the years.  Also a big thank you to the staff at the Ministry of Health for continuing to support our dream.  A special thank you to our amazing staff team who continue to be passionate about what we are trying to achieve and strive to make our dream a reality for all.  Last but not least, a massive thank you to Steph and Eleanor who were so passionate, they found their own wages to begin working with us when we had no money even to pay ourselves!

Carmel Henry and Barry de Geest