Friendship Matters: Planning Opportunities for Connection, Capability and Wellbeing
Friendship Matters: Planning Opportunities for Connection, Capability and Wellbeing
Friendship is a key part of wellbeing, belonging and a good life, yet opportunities for friendship and social connection do not always happen naturally for people with Down syndrome.
Drawing on my PhD Theory of Wellbeing, in which friendship is a key domain, and my subsequent capability work, I will explore how we can intentionally plan and organise opportunities for friendship, social participation and connection.
I will consider how building social capability — getting along with others, communicating, participating, making choices and developing independence — can support people with Down syndrome to build and sustain relationships across school, work and community life.
Linking with the 2026 World Down Syndrome Day theme, Together Against Loneliness, I will move beyond simply recognising loneliness to consider what we can practically do to create the opportunities, environments and supports in which friendship can grow.
We cannot manufacture friendship, but we can plan opportunities and build the capability that make friendship possible.
Presenter
Dr Maree Kirk
Director of the Bay of Plenty Down Syndrome Association and National Director of Supporting Teaching Practice for Students with Learning Disability and Down syndrome (STPDS)
Biography
Dr Maree Kirk is a wellbeing and capability consultant with extensive experience across health, education, disability, and inclusive practice. She is the Director of the Bay of Plenty Down Syndrome Association and National Director of Supporting Teaching Practice for Students with Learning Disability and Down syndrome (STPDS), a professional learning and development programme reaching more than 600 participants annually. Dr Kirk led the first Ministry of Education pilot projects for professional development focused on students with learning disability and Down syndrome and served as Contract Director of the Network of Expertise (NEX), the first national contract of its kind. Her PhD research developed the theory of wellbeing for children and young people with disability, centred on three principles — acceptance, recognition, and supported independence — which underpins her Capability Model for inclusive education in Aotearoa New Zealand
Theme: Education and Wellbeing
Audience: Parents, whānau and professionals