Grampians disAbility Advocacy has big plans for February, with the launch of its new I-PaLs (Independent Pathways and Living Skills) Program, along with the return of its Peer Support program.
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Grampians disAbility Advocacy project manager Carol Starkey said she believed the I-PaLs Program would be very beneficial to participants.
"It's free places, so they don't need to prove they have a disability or have an NDIS plan; anyone is welcome to come along," she said.
"It will be focused on people feeling more empowered to live within our community, and giving them some skills and some social tools to deal with life in general."
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Beginning Thursday, February 11, the I-PaLs Program will run one day a week across six months.
Its content will cover a range of areas, including basic first aid, legal and tenant rights, cooking on a budget, and managing money.
Ms Starkey said it will also provide a good pathway into another of the programs Grampians disAbility Advocacy offers.
"It gives them a chance to do a six-month program that feeds into the Peer Support program so they can hopefully continue with that relationship."
The Peer Support program has not been held for several months due to COVID-19.
It will return on Wednesday, February 3, and continue to run the first Wednesday of each month.
Similar to the I-PaLs Program, the Peer Support program is completely free and helps participants gain knowledge and skills, while also serving as a great social outlet.
The program's absence during lockdown has been a loss for participants, but Ms Starkey said Grampians disAbility Advocacy sought to keep its clients connected.
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"Especially with COVID, those people who've lived support independently and people with disabilities have been very isolated," she said
"There was some funding that came through to allow people to have technology to use for monthly Zoom meetings.
"We've also got a Peer Support worker, and she made a phone call to our Peer Support participants almost weekly to make sure they were doing okay."
The Peer Support program will run at Ararat Neighbourhood House on 57 Campbell Street.
I-PaLs will also be held at Ararat Neighbourhood House, Horsham Neighbourhood House, Ballarat North Neighbourhood House for the first three months of the program, with locations then changing to ensure the program's reach is as wide as possible.
For more information on either program head to grampiansadvocacy.org.au or phone 1800 552 572.
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