Challenge Plus

Background

This service commenced in January 1998 with 20 employees as a semi-vocational service, offering participation in a part vocational and part activity based program. The participants were previously employed in the workshop section of the organization, and due to increasing age and/or low productivity output levels, were offered the opportunity to participate in a program that offered quality of life activities and community access within the local community. The service currently offers support to 20 consumers, 5 days per week and operates from a centre base within the organisation headquarters, at East Lismore.

Aims and Objectives

Initially, Challenge Plus grew out of a need for ageing employees to exercise choice in how they viewed their retirement from the workshop to a day service/ activity based program, or other suitable day options. As many of the employees requested to continue working on a part-time basis it was decided to offer a semi-vocational service as a means of transition to a day program style of service, which would offer encouragement to maintain skill levels, self-worth and dignity. In accordance with the Disability Services Standards, employees are supported to maximise their potential in the following areas:

1. To express, decide and implement choices about activity and life-style options that will enable them to experience a life similar to any other citizen of the community in a planned approach with regular reviews.
2. To access community facilities and events in a supported manner whilst maintaining their independence as much as possible.
3. To increase the variety of work skills and levels of competence as appropriate and available.
4. To receive life-style support that is appropriate to age and interest.

Vocational

Employees are encouraged to work on a variety of tasks according to their skill levels and ability and variety of tasks is offered as much as possible. Training to learn new skills and to maintain current skill levels is provided as an encouragement to consumers to maintain their sense of dignity and self-worth.

Activities

Employees are offered a range of activity options to choose from and they participate in these activities of an afternoon. Current activities include hydrotherapy, art group, craft group, Tai Chi, shopping (personal needs or grocery), cooking, social outings in the community, Co. Chaos dance group, bowling, volunteer work with a community agency eg. St. Vincent De Paul, accessing seniors programs, restaurant/cafe outings and gardening.