The Village Care Services

15/07/2025

🌈 Big feelings live in little bodies and sometimes we need our help to make sense of it all

This week we explored emotions through colour, play dough and connection.

When we help kids name their feelings and notice where they show up, we give them a lifelong tool for emotional regulation.

Because feelings aren’t too big.
They’re just waiting to be understood.

20/06/2025

🎸☕ Chord Cafe

What is it?
Chord Cafe is a peer-led guitar hangout where young people can connect, learn guitar or bass, and grow their confidence all in the welcoming setting of our training café.

Who’s it for?
NDIS participants, teens, and young adults of all abilities who want to:
• Learn guitar at their own pace 🎶
• Improve fine motor skills
• Build confidence and social skills 🌟
• Find a creative outlet 🎨
• Enjoy music with mates and maybe a hot cuppa ☕

What makes it different?
• Run by a young musician in a real band
• Inclusive and beginner-friendly
• Hosted in our real-life training café
• Focus on self-expression, fine motor skills, and nervous system regulation through music

When & Where?
📍 The Village Centre, 144 Lascelles St, Brighton
🗓️ Wednesday afternoon or Saturday sessions available – flexible, stage-based progression
☕ Guitars provided or BYO

27/05/2025

📚 Book Launch Alert! 📚

Come along, this Saturday, 31st May for the launch of The New Baby Sister – the latest heartfelt story in a powerful series by author Gretta Kennedy.

Gretta, along with two of her three siblings, were born with PMM2-CDG, a rare genetic condition affecting balance, coordination, and muscular control. Though she was never expected to walk or talk, Gretta is now using her voice to raise awareness and foster understanding of people living with disabilities.

The New Baby Sister is a beautiful addition to her mission – inclusive, insightful, and inspiring. 💛

If you can't make it but still want to get involved, books can be ordered by contacting ros@gatewayproperties.com.au.

23/05/2025

Proud to be part of a team that truly makes a difference every day.

16/04/2025

📣Now enrolling for next term!📣

We’re excited to offer more availability in both our Employment Training and NEW Baking Classes🧁🍪These programs are designed to build practical skills, confidence, and independence in a supportive environment✨

All supports are tailored to individual goals and can be billed in line with NDIS plans.

Whether you’re working towards employment or developing everyday living skills, we’re here to support your journey🤲

Contact us today to find out more or reserve your place!

27/03/2025

Kym now has counselling appointments available on Mondays and Thursdays at The Village Centre.

🌟 Meet Kym, the newest villager at the Village Centre! 🌟

With 20 years of experience in individual and family support, Kym is a dedicated counsellor passionate about helping those facing housing instability, mental health challenges, and addiction. She’s also a strong advocate for women and young people impacted by domestic violence. 💙

We’re so grateful to have her and her business .quietlittlespace on board, bringing her warmth, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our community. If you see her around, be sure to say hello! 👋

12/03/2025

It’s been a roller coaster of a week with Cyclone Alfred and you have probably been on high alert for a while now. Some people might be feeling it more than others. This will depend on your existing coping strategies, usual baseline and past experiences and events. If you’re still feeling a bit out of whack it might be because your body is still trying to calm down and find a sense of safety. When we’re in fight-or-flight mode for a while, our body releases a lot of adrenaline and cortisol. This is great if we need to act quickly in danger, but if you don’t those hormones can hang around, and make you irritable, restless, or unable to sleep.

If you’re a parent, you’ve probably got your own little living and breathing cyclone at home. Add all the disruption to routine to an already disrupted nervous system and you’ve got a recipe for disaster. Get them moving, do something fun, and most importantly, give them time and space to let their big feelings settle.

Anything that helps release some energy and get you and your family feeling like yourselves again is a good thing . Now that the hazardous surf warning has passed, you might want to go for a swim or a surf? Or you’d prefer to take a nice walk outside now that it’s safe to do so? Head to the park with a footy and friends? Not up to something so active? You might like to try some gentle yoga or even some breathing exercises? If these ideas don’t help reach out to your support worker, others in your support network or one of the below services.

Free 24/7 services offering free counselling:

Beyond Blue (adults) 1300 22 4636

Kids Helpline (kids) 1800 55 1800



For financial support if you were impacted:

Natural disaster payment support 180 22 66

21/12/2024

We are offering free mowing this coming Monday, just in time for Christmas 😊🎄
* Limited spots and limited to the Brighton area

We have some lovely boys doing lawn mowing training on Monday. If you or someone you know lives near the cafe and is in need of mow please send us a message.

* The boys will be allowed to accept small tips, but this is definitely not required
* We are fully insured and they will be fully supervised

04/12/2024

We have a jam-packed program planned for the silly season. Shoot us a message or let your key worker know if you’d like to make a booking 🎅🎄

27/11/2024

For those of you who may have missed it, the NDIS have just announced some upcoming changes relating to creative and experiential therapies. In short, these will continue for those that have them in their current plan, however in new plans these will be restricted significantly. 1:1, this will only be funded at the $67 rate and therapists will need a group of at least 4 participants to bill $193 for the total group.

These changes are going to make it very difficult for most therapists providing these services to NDIS participants and will likely mean these supports are no longer accessible.

A number of our participants who don’t thrive in groups or traditional talk therapies have had wonderful experiences with 1:1 Art Therapy or Music Therapy. One such participant who has found this very cathartic has articulated the issue very well, “Trauma informed Art Therapy is not successful in groups. Every person’s trauma is different. It is highly triggering for people to be involved in a non-safe space that is not confidential. Confidentiality is the key to trust in building a therapeutic relationship.”

If this impacts you, or you share our worries, consider voicing your concerns through this petition. You don’t need to donate to be heard 😊

Creative and Experiential Therapies Belong in the NDIS

23/11/2024

We are thrilled to get some more clarification around recent NDIS changes. While not everyone will be happy it’s good to have a better understanding of the new STA rules. We’re also particularly relieved to see activities as part of our group and centre-based programs are still on the good list! Stay tuned for our holiday program details! https://www.ndis.gov.au/changes-ndis-legislation/frequently-asked-questions-about-legislation

29/10/2024

Did you know we deliver Employment Assistance in our very own cafe and wellness hub? Our participants feel safe and confident challenging themselves in a truly integrated environment, with skilled support workers and a supportive customer base.