Why choose Group Supports?
Connection to community is a fundamental aspect of human life and contributes greatly to an individual's well being and sense of purpose.
Group activities provide the ideal opportunity to connect with others in purposeful social and community settings while developing skills in areas of interest and need.
What activities can I join?
From playing sport to running your own radio show, or speaking up on issues of importance to you with our self advocacy programs, the options are endless. The supports and activities we offer in our Groups are not ‘set in stone’ and will change as people’s choices, preferences and needs change. Select from the following locations to see examples of our wide range of activities on offer.
Where are the activities run?
Select from the following locations to see examples of our wide range of activities on offer.
We offer a large range of group based activities across our locations in Victoria.
We actively promote self-advocacy to give you the greatest extent of choice and control possible while at the same time encouraging negotiation and compromise as a fundamental quality of sharing supports with others.
We understand the difference between being a community tourist and a community participant and will take every opportunity to build real connections with other community groups, organisations and individuals.
Only with your permission will we work with other parties such as support coordinators, therapists, behavioural specialists and residential staff to learn as much as possible about you and how best and most safely to support you.
At times we offer Group supports and activities outside of regular business hours so you can enjoy a night out with friends or a weekend day trip.
We aim to design our services to respond to your culture, diversity, values and beliefs.
"I look after the grounds at Distinctive Options"
Ben has always loved being part of the Maintenance crew at D.O. which offers real life opportunities in and around the D.O. buildings.
Need a light bulb changed?
Need a flat pack from IKEA put together?
Garden need mulching?
The Maintenance crew has got it sorted!
"I love cooking with the Master Chef team"
Yvette is part of the 'Master Chef 'team.
The Master Chef program aims to provide skills to work in a kitchen setting and will occasionally host an event to showcase the skills they've been working on.
Yvette says she loves learning new skills and cooking delicious food with her friends.
Her favourite memory is cooking for the Winter Night Shelter which supports homeless people in the community.
"I like being away with my friends."
The Tri State Games is an annual event which could be described as a mini Olympics for people with disabilities.
Every year, a team of dedicated athletes from D.O. train for months before competing in the games, which is a week-long event. Stefan says he likes swimming to win medals. "I like being away with my friends."'
"Because our support worker Jason is a carpenter, I’ve been able to brush up on my carpentry skills"
Paris is a great cook, a confident woodworker and a talented gardener. She shares her skills and knowledge with the local community by volunteering at Kyneton Community House with support from Distinctive Options:
"On Fridays I volunteer at Kyneton
Community House. We do gardening from
10am to 2pm and it’s very enjoyable. I have learnt a lot. I’ve learnt how to prune a rose bush, how to sow seeds and also to make a worm farm and a compost bin. Because our support worker Jason is a carpenter, I’ve been able to brush up on my carpentry skills as well.”
"This is my painting of Elvis "
Luke's paintings reflect his interest in music and the rock bands he loves. His portrait of Elvis is a classic example of his bold expressive style.
Luke also enjoys singing with the music and performance groups at DO Noweyung.
He's also a natural comedian and is well known for his funny jokes and sense of humour, which he shares as a presenter on the Yackety Yak radio program.
Luke is also an accomplished sportsman. He is a gun at cricket, golf and tennis and is the guy you want on your team.
"I volunteer at Vinnie's"
Katherine enjoys sorting, hanging, pricing donations and putting them on the shop floor as well as chatting to customers.
She now feels confident to volunteer at the store when she has a free weekend. Katherine, as well as other participants from Sunbury D.O. Connect, spend one day a week learning valuable skills by volunteering at the local Vinnies store.