Category: Community participation & respite
Online 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 –...
Stefan’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...
Bright 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...
Individual 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...
Gateways 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,...
No Limits for this social group linking young adults with disability with peers
Milly is quite the social butterfly. So when the teen finished school last year, her parents worried about the social options available to her. While she had programs catering to her interests and skill development, Janet and Paul...
Adult camps crew reap benefits with pre-isolation getaway
A trip to the Mornington Peninsula provided a timely social connection opportunity for the Western Melbourne adult recreation group last month. Nine participants together with support staff and volunteers spent their time exploring the local...
Therapy meets recreation in bright new program
Fun-filled sessions of science, craft, cooking and more are helping kids reach their NDIS goals in the new Bright Sparks program. The program, which has run in Werribee since 2019, provides a group therapy option...
Pizza and therapy delivering life skills
The enticing waft of homemade pizza during an occupational therapy session has led to a fledging business for Geelong brothers Charles and Dan. Each month, staff at Gateways Albert St have the chance to order...
Summer holiday program is a wrap
Gateways Summer Holidays recreation program has wound up after another successful season, with a host of activities and excursions to keep everyone smiling. Among the adventures were: Ballarat Wildlife Park The National Gallery of Victoria...