Young foodies building skills and friendship around the table
A poor experience at another recreation program left 13-year-old Seb reluctant to have another go. But with the Geelong teenager spending a lot of time socially isolated at home, his mother Kylie was keen to...
Read moreSeniors program for laughter and friendship
Becoming older brings many life changes, but for sisters, Dinah, 85, and Sheila, 84, staying socially active and engaged in the community has been key to maintaining a purposeful and thriving life. Both sisters joined Gateways Support Services Prime Movers Program – a weekly recreation and...
Read moreTrust, creativity and a good relationship key to Support Coordination success
Finding genuine, reliable support coordination for her teenage son felt like an endless battle for Williamstown mum, Maraid. As she sought to make the most of Duke’s National Disability Insurance Scheme plan, Maraid tried out several support providers unsuccessfully and was left feeling overwhelmed. She said...
Read moreTransition accommodation service celebrates successful first year, despite pandemic
A year ago the Fantella family was feeling a mix of nerves, excitement and tinge of sadness as their eldest daughter, Amber, prepared to leave home for the first time. Twelve months on her parents,...
Read moreSurvey shows high satisfaction despite challenging year
An overall service satisfaction rate of 95 per cent show Gateways continued to deliver on its mission despite a challenging year, according to feedback from our latest annual user survey. Thank you to the more...
Read moreShining a light on opportunities offered through volunteering
From donating her time as a volunteer to leading Gateways’ many volunteer programs, Jenny Schmidt has gained experience on both sides of the fence during her 15 years with the organisation. During that time, Jenny...
Read moreJob Quest empowering adults with a disability to build work skills and confidence
A new employment program for adults with a disability is to be piloted by Gateways Support Services. Job Quest has been developed by Gateways to empower adults with a disability to build their work skills and confidence in a safe...
Read moreTrust and companionship at heart of seniors program
Long games of Scrabble and a shared appreciation of Western movies are the much-anticipated fixtures of Howard and David’s weekly time together. When they stop talking, that is. Howard’s wife, Dorothy, often returns home to...
Read moreAlternative ways of communicating develop skills and self-esteem
Nothing can hold 7-year-old William back. The Spotswood boy, who has Down Syndrome, can be found shooting hoops, spending time in the water, or travelling the world with his family, if he’s not at an...
Read moreTherapy playgroup a confidence booster for families of children with autism
Kate had all but given up on mainstream playgroups for her youngest son, Archie, when she learned about Gateways Early Intervention Therapy Playgroup. ‘I’d had such bad experiences with typical playgroups because they made me...
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