WDEA Works

19/08/2025

Welcome to Mental Health First Aid Day

Today, Tuesday 19 August, marks the inaugural Mental Health First Aid Day – a national day of action to celebrate and recognise the incredible impact of Mental Health First Aiders and Instructors across Australia.

For 25 years, Mental Health First Aid has been building circles of support for people experiencing mental health challenges. With 1.5 million Australians trained, these everyday heroes are creating safe spaces and turning conversations into lifelines, yet Mental Health First Aid remains one of our country’s best-kept secrets.
At are-able, we’re proud to be part of the movement that says every conversation matters. Whether you’re trained in Mental Health First Aid or just beginning your journey, today is a reminder that you can make a difference.

💙 Learn more or sign up for a course:
👉 www.areable.org.au/education-and-training/mental-health-first-aid

Let’s break the stigma, open up the conversation, and support each other.

14/08/2025

Meet David - Celebrating 49 Years at are-able!

David has been part of our team for an incredible 49 years – soon to be 50 in February 2026!

You’ll find David working in E-Waste and The Big R's Shed, as well as enjoying Out and About Wednesdays. He especially loves pulling apart e-waste and driving the forklift.

Over the past year, David has transitioned into The Big R’s Shed, where he’s developed new skills in communicating and interacting with customers – something he’s really proud of.

For David, being part of are-able means enjoying coming to work and being part of a supportive, friendly team.

Learn more about are-able Social Enterprises 👉 www.areable.org.au/ndis-social-enterprises

14/08/2025

Stawell – we’re moving! 📦

From Monday, 18 August, you can find us at:
📍 Grampians Community Health Stawell
8–22 Patrick Street
🕒 Office Hours: Tuesdays and Wednesdays, 10:30am–3:30pm

We look forward to welcoming you to our new location!

For disability services in Stawell contact are-able. Recruitment, employment, training courses & more. Also offering community grants & other training.

13/08/2025

🌟 We’re at Thrive Together Bendigo – Tomorrow! 🌟

Our Finding and Keeping a Job and Plan Management teams will be at the Thrive Together Expo tomorrow, ready to connect, share information, and explore opportunities to work together.

📍 All Seasons Hotel, Bendigo
🗓 Thursday, 14 August
🕚 11:00 am – 2:00 pm

Come along, say hi, and find out how are-able can support you.

More event details here 👉 www.eventbrite.com.au/e/thrive-together-bendigo-tickets-1490005579799

12/08/2025

🌟 From Perseverance to Purpose: Alisha’s Journey into Early Childhood Education in Horsham 🌟

Alisha’s story is one of resilience, determination, and finding her calling. With support from are-able Education and Training, she’s turned her passion for helping children into a rewarding career in early childhood education.

Her journey is a reminder that with the right support and belief in yourself, anything is possible.

Read the full story here: www.areable.org.au/2025/08/from-perseverance-to-purpose-alishas-journey-into-early-childhood-education-in-horsham

11/08/2025

Last week we celebrated something truly special in Swan Hill – the official opening of mini woolies site at are-able! 🎉

In partnership with Woolworths Group and Fujitsu , we’ve created a purpose-built training space that looks and feels just like a real Woolworths store. Here, our participants will gain hands-on experience in a safe and supportive environment, learning everything from customer service and merchandising to using real point-of-sale technology.

This initiative is about more than skills, it’s about building confidence, fostering independence, and opening doors to future employment. It’s a place where participants can feel part of a team, develop real-world abilities, and take the next step towards their goals.

We’re so grateful to Woolworths and Fujitsu for believing in this vision and helping us make it a reality. Thank you also to our amazing Swan Hill team for your dedication, and to everyone who came along to share in this exciting milestone.
The future is bright for our participants and wider community and this is just the beginning!

Swan Hill Rural City Council
Swan Hill Incorporated
Swan Hill College
Murray Downs Golf and Country Club
Intereach
Peter Walsh for Murray Plains

11/08/2025

📣 Our are-able Mildura team will be at Mildura’s FIRST Sexual Health Expo – and we’d love to see you there!

📍 Powerhouse Place, Mildura
📅 Thursday 4 September 2025
🕘 10am–5pm (free entry all day)

We’ll be there sharing information about our Parent Pathways, Finding and Keeping a Job, and Plan Management services — plus you can connect with health professionals, explore interactive stalls, join engaging sessions, and pick up some giveaways.

SCHS presents:

🎉 Let’s Talk About It – Mildura’s FIRST Sexual Health Expo! 🎉
📍 Powerhouse Place, Mildura
📅 Thursday 4 September 2025
🕘 10am–5pm (open all day, sessions running at different times)
💸 FREE ENTRY | 🎁 Giveaways | 🎤 Expert speakers | 📸 Photobooth | 🎯 Interactive stalls & activities

This one-day, community-led event is here to break down stigma and get real about sexual wellbeing — no matter your age, background, identity, or life experience. Whether you’re 18 or 80, a parent, young adult, LGBTQIA+ or from diverse backgrounds — this event is for everyone.

Key topics include:
• Consent & affirmative consent
• Healthy relationships (for individuals, couples & families)
• Menstrual health & pelvic pain
• Perimenopause & menopause
• LGBTQIA+ wellbeing & HIV 101
Enjoy interactive stalls, giveaways, games, photobooth, plus peer educators and health professionals available all day to support you.

Everyone 18+ is welcome — save the date and stay tuned for the full program! 💬❤️

Let’s normalise sexual health. Let’s break down stigma. Let’s talk about it, Mildura.

04/08/2025

Hey, Mount Gambier! 👋

We’re excited to be at the Mount Gambier Library on Monday 12 August and Wednesday 14 August — and we’d love to see you there!

📍 Location: 6 Watson Terrace, Mount Gambier
🕑 Time: 10-1pm each day

Come by and say hello, ask questions, or just have a chat and learn more about our Finding and Keeping a Job program.

👉 www.areable.org.au/ndis-support/finding-and-keeping-a-job

30/07/2025

One of our are-able participants is proudly involved in Brophy’s Youth Café, and we’re thrilled to support their Homelessness Week event coming up in Warrnambool!

📍 210 Timor Street, Warrnambool
🗓 Wednesday 6 August
🕑 2PM – 5PM
🎟 Free entry for young people aged 12–25

We’ll also be sharing info about our Transition to Work (TTW) program and handing out some merch. Come say hi!

29/07/2025

👏 Go Sky — we’re so inspired by your determination and drive!

28/07/2025

Please note that the are-able Social Enterprises site at 11 Albert Street Warrnambool, including The Big R's Shed, E-Waste, Container Deposit Scheme, also Clear Cut Terang, Steam & Clean, and All About Fencing, will be closed on Wednesday, 30th July.

We apologise for any inconvenience and thank you for your understanding.
Our team will be back and ready to assist you Thursday, 31st July.

28/07/2025

👋 Come say hi!

Our friendly are-able Mentors Ashley and Aneeka are at Mildura Central Plaza (opposite Target), 831 Fifteenth St, Mildura, today and tomorrow from 10am – 2pm.

They’re here to chat all things:
-Finding and Keeping a Job
-Parent Pathways
-Plan Management

Drop by, ask questions, and find out how are-able can support your journey!

www.areable.org.au