Recreational, Vocational and Social Programmes
Adult Skills Support Education and Training (ASSET)
ASSET is designed to assist young people with disabilities identify their goals and plan for their future after leaving school. Staff assist clients to access and utilise the local services available to them by providing guidance and advice. The programme delivers personal and social development skills, including literary and numeracy, recreation, independent living skills and vocational training.
Who Can Use These Services?
Funding is provided by the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care to approved applicants, who apply in their last year of High School. Applications are completed in conjunction with the school and the applicant must be 18 years of age. Once funded, people requiring this service seek out a service provider and then link in with that agency to receive the service.
Where Are The ASSET Services?
Service outlets are provided by Samaritans in Mayfield, Maitland, Bonnells Bay, Port Stephens and Taree. Phone 02 4960 3100 for further enquiry.
Samaritans ASSET service delivers a number of day programmes as part of the organisation's disability services portfolio. These services currently include:
- Post School Options
- Community Participations - centre based as well as individual community based options.
- Fee for service programmes
Samaritans ASSET service supports the growth of personal and social development skills to maximise independence and community participation. We do this by consulting the person with a disability and their family /carers to develop practical goals that build on existing skills and develop new ones.
Feedback on the progress of achieving individual plan goals is provided in a regular achievment report.
Opportunities And Activities
Programmes are designed and tailored to meet the individual's needs. Current programme activities include:
- Art painting
- Massage adn remedial therapy
- Living skills such as communicating on the telephone, budgeting, meal preparation, travel skills, shopping, decision making etc
- Relationship/Sexuality training
- Sensory stimulation programmes
- Safety awareness
- Numeracy and literacy
- Money handling skills
- Communication programmes, including using augmentative communication systems
- Self-defence
- Sailing
- Ten pin bowling
- Work experience
- Swimming
- Health promotion programmes eg exercise, nutrition
- Hydrotherapy
- Accessing restaurants, public parks, BBQ's etc
The support offered to a service user is determined by the individuals needs adn may include support with personal care, behavioural support, skills building, training etc. The number of staff allocated to each programme will vary from 1:1 support to groups of four (4) people with similiar interests, depending on the type of activity and the requirements of the individuals.
All Samaritans staff receive regular training to maintain their knowledge and skills to ensure we deliver a quality service.
General Information
Limited transport is available based on assessment of priority needs. Fees apply.
Venues are wheelchair accessible, in close proximity to public transport, local shopping centres and community resources.
Further Information
For further information about the ASSET service please contact Craig Williamson on Ph: 02 4960 3100 or mobile: 0407 244 700.
Respite
Respite services are provided in a friendly holiday-style atmosphere with around the clock care and supervision. People with a disability aged over 18 years of age can stay at the house for up to a week once every four months. There are currently more than 130 people registered with the service. It is a professional and flexible service that provides innovative and responsive services to people and their families.
Who Can Use This Service?
Referrals for respite are made through the Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care’s Community Resource Team at Wyong. The Wyong Community Worker then links the person who has been approved for respite with the coordinator of the respite centre.
Where is The Respite Service?
Samaritans Central Coast Respite Centre is located at Jilliby, near Tuggerah.
How can I Find This Service?
If you are seeking a referral, contact the Area Co-ordinator, on 02 4334 4580. If you wish to contact the Centre directly, telephone the coordinator on 02 4353 3931.
Active Linking Initiative
This service provides social and recreational programmes for people living in boarding house accommodation. The programme also provides vocational and educational opportunities to people living in Licensed Residential Centres and makes links with specialised services and community based organisations.
Who Can Use This Service?
Residents of licensed residential centres (Boarding Houses) are automatically entitled to use the service.
Where is the Active Linking Service?
It is located at Bateau Bay on the Central Coast.
How can I Find This Service?
Telephone the coordinator on 02 4332 7999
Central Coast Community Based Activities
This service operates from Gosford and provides community based activity, training and employment programmes as well as social networking opportunities for people with disabilities living on the Central Coast. The programmes are both centre and community based and are facilitated on an individual or small group basis. Some of the services include social and recreational outings and activities as well as a range of comprehensive and individual programmes and vocational courses.
