Fiction With Friends building social links for kids during pandemic restrictions
Amid the unpredictability of COVID-19 a creative new program is helping kids with developmental disabilities build social skills and confidence from the comfort of their homes. With lockdown measures in place, Gateways Support Services Occupational Therapist, Ben and his team were brainstorming ideas to continue to engage kids in group...
In-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...
Geelong Community Foundation grant enables sensory room for adults with autism
A dedicated sensory space will soon be created at our new North Geelong multi-purpose community site thanks to a generous donation by Geelong Community Foundation. The space will feature sensory equipment, a sound system and...
New 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...
A new home for Gateways with all-inclusive hub planned for North Geelong
Staff have begun moving in to Gateways’ new North Geelong headquarters at the former Target site, marking an exciting new chapter for our organisation. The move follows a long search for a site that could...
A fresh approach to supported accommodation
Deb Fantella is preparing a simple list for her 24-year-old daughter’s imminent move out of the family home. ‘I’m listing everything that could be helpful for the carers; like, if you have to thaw meat,...
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...
Play therapy program teaching parents to support child development
The Parent Learn to Play program is a seven session course for small groups of parents or carers aimed at helping support children’s development through play. In the program, parents learn about play development in...
Bookings open for Sensitive Santa at Westfield
Santa is setting aside some time to create a sensory-friendly environment, so that families can visit the Christmas wonderland at Westfield Geelong and have their photo taken in a relaxed environment, tailored to them. Westfield’s...
New bus thanks to Costa Foundation
More people are getting around to more outings thanks to The Anthony Costa Foundation’s generous donation of a new bus. The Toyota Hiace minibus enables Gateways Support Services to safely transport up to eight children,...
