Spotlight 1: Community Engagement Program

Behind every service offered through Ageing, Disability and Home Care, there is a personal story of how  our work is helping people lead independent lives, fulfill their potential and actively participate in the community.

The 2010-11 ADHC Achievements Report (PDF, 1.4MB) details ADHC's achievements over the past year and, importantly provides insight into the positive impact our services and our staff have on our clients' lives.

Over the coming weeks the ADHC website will be highlighting some of these stories, starting with this week's piece on our Community Engagement Program and the difference it has made to Paul's life.

Paul's story - Living life the way he wants

Paul wants to live independently and be an active member of his local community. Paul saw the Active Ageing Program as an opportunity to achieve this goal and to realise and further explore his potential.

Through the Active Ageing Program, Paul participated in a variety of exciting programs which helped him develop his skills, build his confidence and improve his interaction in the community. The program was offered by his local service  provider.

The Active Ageing Program has helped Paul improve his arithmetic, reading and  writing skills. Paul is now more confident in reading signs, labels and  exchanging money. Developing these skills has made Paul more independent and an active member of his local community.

Paul has now gained supported employment. He loves his job working in the kitchen at a commercial café where he clears tables, washes dishes, heats Meals on Wheels packs and prepares the fruit and vegetables.

The chef at the kitchen said Paul "… has never missed a day of work …" and "… makes everyone laugh when it gets a bit stressful …"

Paul is achieving his goal, living life the way he wants.

Community Engagement programs

Community Engagement programs are aimed at helping people participate more fully in the community including through recreational activities, Post School Options programs, therapy services, early intervention and skill development initiatives and program specifically including Life Choices, Active Ageing and block funded day programs.

In 2010-11, 8,000 people attended Community Engagement Programs, including the Life Choices and Active Ageing programs, compared to 6,700 in 2005-06 (19 per cent increase).