Colin Bush has been a participant of Interchange Australia’s Day Options program for several years now and has enjoyed participating in the array of activities on offer throughout the years, but above all else he loves heading out on social outings with his friends and enjoys a good coffee!
Hello my name is Jane and I am a new account manager here at Interchange Australia. I am originally from Newcastle, living in Germany, Sydney and then settling here in the Southern Highlands 12 years ago with my clockmaker husband and two children. I have been with Interchange for just under 4 weeks now and it has been such a great experience for me so far. I come from a background of no experience in the disability sector and it is really incredible being opened up to a ‘new world’. I love learning about the disability sector and feel so lucky to be apart of something making a difference, and helping people with disabilities have access to what we take for granted in day to day life.
Interchange Adventures, more than just fun!
Humans are inherently social creatures, for as long as the human race has been in existence we have travelled, sought companionship and thrived in social groups.
People with disability can sometimes have a much smaller social circle and can become isolated due to their inability to travel without assistance, difficulty in communicating and networking with others, health and a need for support to participate in social activities. Feeling socially connected, especially in an increasingly isolated world is more important than ever.
From playing the guitar to broadcasting her own radio show and volunteering with Camden Agricultural Show each year, from being a keen photographer to her lifelong passion in the equestrian ring. Lexi is a woman of many talents and full of ability!
Interchange Australia runs a large range of programs focused around participants achieving both NDIS and personal goals. Many of these programs cross over with one another which helps our participants understand how each activity they take part in has a flow on effect in various other areas of life. Amongst these programs there is Be My Best which covers a range of different topics throughout the year addressing key issues one might experience throughout life. We help our participants with learning communication and social skills in various settings, how they can contribute to the community and we also cover topics like hygiene, personal care and safety.
Sexuality amongst people with a disability is often a topic left unspoken – but the more we talk – the easier it gets.
What actually is sexuality?
It is the way that people experience and express themselves sexually. We express our sexuality in many ways, through thoughts, fantasies, desires, beliefs, attitudes, values, behaviours, practices, roles and relationships. Sexuality is integral to a person’s identity and develops throughout life, from birth to death. It is natural for people across all ages to express their sexuality through their behaviour.
I was a few moments late logging on, I knew the session had already started, but the internet had been playing up for months. I was greeted by a cacophony of noise and chaos as I tried to work out what was going on. It didn’t take me long. One of the clients was showing everyone her pet guinea pig, and it was causing huge excitement and laughter. It was a timely reminder how important our work is, even when delivering an online format…..
For the past eighteen months life as we knew it has changed dramatically, and right now in NSW we are currently in the hardest lockdown we have experienced to date!
To most of us feeling isolated is new, we have been living our lives able to go wherever we want, whenever we want, hanging out with friends and family, going out for dinner, travelling if we want to, even simple things like going shopping and much more.
I got my second shot last Friday. It hit home for me when I started to see the clients around me having been vaccinated, but I still wasn’t. What’s the point of client’s being vaccinated if I am not? I am supposed to be providing a safe environment for them.
Ryan is a 30 year old man who has a moderate intellectual disability, epilepsy and an endocrine condition which affects his bone /muscle development. Ryan has been with Interchange Australia for over 10 years, he currently attends day Options 5 days a week, Respite 5 times a month and also has morning and afternoon support 5 days a week. Ryan really enjoys gardening, pruning, and absolutely loves getting outside to water the new vegetable garden beds every day that everyone has created at Travis house. In fact I caught him outside yesterday doing just that!