Self-care for parents of kids with a disability
Emergency protocols stress the need to take care of ourselves before attempting to help others. But this critically important piece of advice is often overlooked by parents of children with special needs. For all parents,...
Read moreIn-home senior visits keep loneliness at bay during pandemic times
As an older person, the social restrictions brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic hit Geelong resident Muriel particularly hard. She was not allowed to visit husband Ted, who lives with dementia at a nearby care facility, unable to make her regular...
Read moreYou asked, we listened: new programs for 16-20s
When Andrew turned 18, he was as keen as ever to participate in supported recreation groups but his interests didn’t match typical adult programs. So when he and his family heard that Gateways Support Services was starting two...
Read more‘I’m so proud of myself’ – Robbie’s successful move into independent accommodation
For the parents of children with a disability, dreams of their son or daughter’s independence can be tenuous. So, it was no small celebration for Mandy and Tony when their son achieved his goal of moving out of home in March. Robbie, a Gateways Support Services participant of almost thirty years,...
Read moreNew bike track for North Geelong to boost wellbeing for children with disability
A new bike track is to be built at Gateways Support Services’ North Geelong site, thanks to the support of the Give Where You Live Foundation. The bike track will give children with disabilities the...
Read moreOnline cooking classes for teens and adults continue as restrictions ease
An online activity with fringe benefits is how one family describes Gateways Support Services online cooking classes for teenagers. Ashton’s mum, Michelle, says the group – set up for participants during COVID-19 isolation restrictions –...
Read moreStefan’s new normal beats the lockdown blues
When the coronavirus (COVID-19) lockdown began midway through March, Stefan felt like someone had turned the lights out on his entire life. Now the lights are back up, thanks to Gateways Support Services moving participant activities...
Read moreBright Sparks building social skills through small group play in term 3
Play is an important part of a child’s development; but it doesn’t come easily to everyone. Tarneit mother of three, Liane, says her children, Kye, 9, and 6-year-old twins Lyla and Ayva, all struggle with high anxiety and social skills. So when...
Read moreIndividual support for Christina’s cooking adventures
Gateway’s participant, Christina, has been loving her cooking adventures and hangouts with her support worker, Debra, whilst her family have also been benefiting from the services. Christina’s sister, Laura, says the services have been fantastic for her sister...
Read moreGateways recreation goes online to boost social connection in isolation
Western Melbourne adult participants usually meet up with each other in person to go on exciting recreation camps and day trips around Melbourne. But since we’ve all needed to bunker down at home during the COVID-19 pandemic,...
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