Everyone needs a strong group of friends around them to share the ups and downs of life – but people with disability often have fewer opportunities to make new connections and find the friends they need. They may find themselves living their lives surrounded by services or paid staff, with few relationships beyond their families.
Through intentional thinking and planning, it is possible for people with disability to live a life enriched by unpaid relationships. Friendships and Community Connections is a two-hour, free in person workshop that can help you learn how to connect people with disability with others who share their interests; and open up pathways to friendship and authentic inclusion in the community.
Community connections can grow by joining local groups. Linda Hughes, a workshop presenter, mentions her son Jacob, who made friends at his public speaking club.
“Joining a local club opened up new opportunities for Jacob,” said Ms Hughes.
“It provided his first experience in public speaking, using his communication device. He has now spoken at a number of conferences and is keen to keep developing his craft. Jacob has also developed long standing friendships with fellow toastmasters and people who share his interest in public speaking.”
The workshop will take place on Friday, 28 February, 12:30pm – 2:30pm at the Ibis Styles, Bridge Street, West Tamworth. The event is free, and lunch is included.
This workshop is for anyone who wants people with disability to experience a full and rich life. This includes people with disability, their families, friends and other supporters, and community members.
Join this workshop to:
- Hear strategies that help build a context to relationships
- Find the opportunities in community for engagement & connection
- Discover how to turn everyday situations into moments of possibility
- Learn how to initiate an “ask” or “invitation” to engagement
- Build a community around a person to safeguard their life.
This workshop is presented by Resourcing Inclusive Communities, an initiative of Family Advocacy NSW.
Presenters Linda Hughes and Laura Abrahams are part of the Inclusive Lives – Possibility to Reality project team. This government funded project strengthens the knowledge, skills and confidence of people with disability and their families so that many more people with disability across NSW experience typical pathways experienced by most Australians.
For more information and to register, please go to https://bit.ly/FriendshipsWorkshopTamworthWeb.
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