WDEA Works

23/07/2025

The are-able Parent Pathways team will be visiting Heywood Playgroups as part of this fun and engaging road trip.
Come say hi, meet the team, and learn more about how Parents Pathways can support you and your little ones 🌟

🚗🎶 Rhythm & Rhymes Road Trip visits Heywood Playgroups 🎶🚗

🎵 Unlock the power of learning through music, movement, and stories!

📅 𝗧𝗵𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟯𝟭 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆
PDH Heywood Playgroup meet on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month during the school term.
Where: Heywood Playgroup 24a Hunter Street, Heywood.
Time: 10am-12pm
ℹ️ Who can attend families in the Glenelg Shire region with children aged from infant to 5 years.
𝗥𝗦𝗩𝗣 𝗼𝗿 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Portland District Health Maternal and Child Health on 55210 504

📅 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝘂𝘀𝘁 Willarn Playgroup meets every Friday during the school term.
Where: Heywood Playgroup 24a Hunter Street, Heywood.
Time: 10am-12pm
ℹ️ Who can attend Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families and carers with children aged 0 to 5 years.
𝗙𝗼𝗿 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Contact Winda-Mara Aboriginal Corporation on 5527 0000.
mara
Maternal and Child Health Services Portland and Surrounds
Glenelg Libraries

Supported by Parent Pathways .community and Glenelg Shire Council

23/07/2025

🌟 Kicking Goals: Joshua’s All-Stars Experience Builds Skills and Confidence 🌟

From a passion for sport to a purpose-driven path — Joshua, one of our NDIS participants in Ballarat, recently took part in the Freedom Solutions All-Stars Inclusive Sports Day as part of his School Leaver Employment Supports (SLES) journey.

Supported by the are-able Wendouree team, Joshua rotated through every station, building real-world experience, growing his confidence, and exploring future career possibilities in the sport and disability sectors.

A great example of how inclusive events and supportive partnerships can create life-changing moments!

👉 Read the full story: www.areable.org.au/2025/07/kicking-goals-joshuas-all-stars-experience-builds-skills-and-confidence

17/07/2025

Grant Recipient Spotlight, Merri River School (Merri Doughnuts student enterprise)

We are proud to share that Merri River School in Warrnambool is an are-able Foundation grant recipient. The school supports 185 students with a wide range of physical and intellectual disabilities from Prep to Year 12, all learning in an inclusive, engaging environment that builds independence and work readiness.

Senior students have launched Merri Doughnuts, a real small business that takes cinnamon doughnut orders from local schools and businesses. Students manage the lot, from canvassing orders to cooking, packing and delivering.

Our grant will help the students take Merri Doughnuts on the road. Funding will go toward a branded marquee, banner flags and table cloth so they can set up a professional stall at fetes and markets, grow sales and build real life employment, customer service and small business skills.

We’re excited to see this amazing student enterprise continue to grow and make its mark across the region.

Learn more about the are-able Foundation: www.areable.org.au/foundation

16/07/2025

🌟 What a morning in Colac! 🌟

Yesterday’s Parent Pathways – Meet Your Mentor event brought the community together for a fun-filled, family-friendly morning at The Salvation Army Community Centre.

From face painting and Scouts craft tables to the Neighbourhood House playgroup and a special visit from Bluey, there was something for everyone, and even a few brave volunteers held reptiles thanks to WildlifeXposure! 🦎🎨🎈

A huge thank you to everyone who stopped by to meet our Parent Pathways team and find out more about the support available for parents and caregivers in the Colac region.

📸 While we couldn’t upload every image, if you’d like a copy of a photo of your child or family that was taken on the day, feel free to message us directly here on our page.

South West TAFE
Scouts Victoria

15/07/2025

14/07/2025

Big news!

It’s official IDEAL Placements is now a proud member of the are-able Group.

This brings together two values-driven organisations with a shared purpose: empowering people through meaningful employment and strong community connection.

Together, we’re expanding our impact across Queensland and building unstoppable pathways to opportunity.

Welcome, IDEAL Placements we’re so excited to have you on board.

09/07/2025

Honouring NAIDOC Week 2025: The Next Generation – Strength, Vision & Legacy

Our team has proudly come together to celebrate and reflect during NAIDOC Week.
🖤❤️💛 Powerful flag raising and smoking ceremonies
🎨 A vibrant colour run bringing community, fun, and connection

NAIDOC Week reminds us of the strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and the importance of walking together for a better future.

06/07/2025

🌟 NAIDOC Week 2025 | The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy 🌟

The 2025 theme, "The Next Generation: Strength, Vision & Legacy," honours not only the achievements of the past, but the bright future ahead, led by strong young voices, community vision, and the legacy of generations before us.

From a movement for recognition and rights to a nationwide celebration of culture and identity, NAIDOC Week has always been about truth, justice, and community. As the National NAIDOC Committee embraces self-determination, we celebrate a future led by Indigenous voices and grounded in respect.

At are-able, we stand with community. We walk forward together, guided by Elders, inspired by youth, and committed to a legacy of unity, respect, and empowerment.
This NAIDOC Week, let’s honour the past, celebrate the present, and uplift the leaders who will carry us into the future.

👉 To learn more: www.naidoc.org.au
National NAIDOC

04/07/2025

Creative Futures Unlocked!

Three young artists—Holly, Brady, and Jindalee—are turning their creative dreams into reality through a paid internship at TBH Studio, proudly supported by are-able Employment Services.

Each brings unique talents and overcomes personal barriers like ASD and anxiety—but with tailored support, confidence-building workshops, and a welcoming studio environment, they’re thriving in the workforce.

From handmade prints to art tutoring and bold design dreams, this internship is more than work experience—it’s a launching pad for lifelong creative careers.

“These are the outcomes our participants deserve.” – Aimee O'Callaghan, are-able Employment Preparation and Engagement Consultant.

Read the full story here - www.areable.org.au/2025/07/creative-futures-three-young-artists-thrive-through-tbh-studios-internship-in-ballarat

03/07/2025

🌿 Grant Recipient Spotlight – Garden Of HOPE Mildura 🌿

We’re proud to announce that The Garden of HOPE Mildura INC is one of our are-able Foundation grant recipients!

A true community haven, the Garden of HOPE is a multifunctional family space that offers a kiosk, café, playground, and stunning lakeside gardens filled with inspirational messages of hope. It's a place for people of all ages, cultures, and abilities to connect, reflect, and recharge.

Thanks to the grant, the team can now take steps toward improving accessibility for visitors using wheelchairs, a much-needed upgrade that will help ensure no one misses out on the joy this space brings. 💚

This is what building a more inclusive, hopeful future looks like.

02/07/2025

Parent Pathways Refer a Friend Competition Winner!

Parent Pathways in Mildura recently ran a “Refer a Friend” competition! To enter, participants simply needed to refer an eligible friend to join the Parent Pathways Program and ensure their friend mentioned their name during sign-up. There was no limit to the number of entries, as long as each referred friend was eligible and officially joined the program.

We’re excited to announce that Destini is our lucky winner! She has received a $200 voucher and chose to spend it at Kmart.

🎉 Congratulations, Destini! 🎉

Discover more about our Parent Pathways program today: https://www.areable.org.au/parent-pathways

01/07/2025

✨ Hands-On Learning in Action! ✨

Last week, our Individual Support/Disability students had an exciting opportunity to visit a local supported employment business.

The excursion offered valuable insights into how people with disabilities can access meaningful work in inclusive and supportive environments. Students observed day-to-day operations, chatted with staff and employees, and explored the benefits of supported employment for fostering independence, skill development, and community participation.

It was a powerful hands-on experience that deepened our understanding of workplace diversity and highlighted the importance of person-centred support in real-world settings.

A big thank you to the team at the are-able Social Enterprises team for welcoming us and sharing your knowledge!

Learn more today: areable.org.au/education-and-training/disability