This month we are happy to introduce Helen from Centre for Participation in Horsham who has some exciting news.
NDIS Pathways to Employment, Social Inclusion and
Connectedness across the Community for Ageing, Disability, Everyone!
The Wimmera Food Collective Café – is now Open!
August was a busy month for the Centre for Participation with the opening of their new café run by the Centre’s Program the Wimmera Food Collective which aims to provide work experience and pathways to employment for NDIS participants as well as improving social connectedness across the community, all while focusing on sustainable foods for a sustainable future.
Over the past few years, we struggled to find a space that was respectful toward our volunteers, suitable for clients' social support as well as meet the needs of recent NDIS school leavers, who have limited opportunities in a small regional town.
After a year of operating our own Meals on Wheels (make and deliver meals) and catering it was time to build onto that experience and progress to the next step. With the Department of Health’s Sustainable Food Grant, we downsized offices, creating an open space for a Café that finally meet multiple community needs.
We all know that a socially connected community is a healthier community - so everyone benefits! The new space is terrific for any of our valued volunteers or clients to come by and catch up with friends. Mobility scooters no problems! The space around some of the tables has been deliberately designed to accommodate these needs – just drive right through the door and pull up at a table.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the café is the young NDIS participants who are getting the skills of cooking of healthy foods, serving, processing orders through the till and gaining valuable community participation and inclusion not just with staff but volunteers and many elderly across our community. The changes the staff have witnessed to some of the participants is astounding!
We believe all young people, regardless of ability, should get the opportunity to thrive, no matter their starting point. And having a supportive workplace to get skills, training and support is critical to that.
The added benefit to the Café – is that staff can now sit with clients and/or volunteers have meetings in the space or even run group sessions in the space.
Usually, the Carers group requires privacy and quietness, but they have decided that once a month they will hold their meeting in the space. It is quite magical hear the Carers Group laugh raucously when they are in the space – you know you are improving lives!
Having just opened our participants are being trained and learning lots, so there is still much to achieve, and it is only early days yet. We are open 9.00 – 3.00 weekdays, if you happen to be in Horsham drop by for a coffee – you never know who might be sitting here!
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