A big group of the Strong & Capable Community traveled by diesel train through the beautiful Bugle Ranges on Sunday afternoon.
The heritage “Red Hen” railcar took us southwards from Mt Barker to the very peak of the ranges at the now closed Philcox Hill station site. Situated in an opening in the trees on level ground, the station site is the highest point on the line (1,304 feet or nearly 398 metres above sea-level). Read more about the trip from the Steam Ranger.
The train was jam packed with train enthusiasts and people out exploring the Adelaide Hills region.
The weather wasn’t on our side to take a lot of happy snaps, but safe to say a great time was had!
A smaller group enjoyed a delicious lunch at the Gawler St Cafe in Mt Barker beforehand.
It was wonderful to connect with our growing community of likeminded people.
Ready to join in? See what is coming up next.
Join us for a fortnightly online meet-up like no other! Fun Friday is your chance to make friends, have a blast, & sharpen your social skills—all from the comfort of your home.
Imagine a safe & secure space where you can let loose, laugh, & learn. Each session is a new adventure with a fresh theme, ensuring no two Fridays are the same.
Join us online every alternate Friday from 11 am to 12 pm for a fantastic hour of joy, creativity, and connection. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with like-minded adults & experience the magic of Fun Friday!
These sessions are designed for adults with disability to connect in a social & informal way.
FREE for members & friends of the Strong & Capable Community.
New to the community? No worries, register your interest and we’ll add you as a Friend, otherwise check out what it means to be a member.
A Teams link will be shared prior to each event. First event is scheduled for Friday 2 August 2024.
Thousands of handcrafted giant firepots, captivating kinetic sculptures, live music and candlelit arched pathways transformed the Adelaide Botanic Garden and a small group of our lived experience community headed along to take part in the Illuminate Adelaide 24 fun.
Strolling through the gardens it was hard to believe we were in the city of Adelaide, and the fig trees which are usually so recognisable were well disguised amongst the firelight.
The City Lights installations along North Terrace completed the night. It was hard to not be drawn in by these colourful and interactive displays.
We were set up to have a good night due to the level of accessible detail provided by the event, which we love!
Photos left to right: firelit arches, pathway through Fig trees and Strong & Capable’s Clair, Raphael & Bec.
Want to attend the next Community Catch Up and be part of our growing community? Then make sure you are signed up to the Co-op and keep an eye on our Event Calendar.
Its FREE to be a Friend of the Co-op, check out what it means to be part of our community.
We’ve handpicked a range of events that you’ll want to shrug on a winter jacket for; from Big Screen Gaming to riding a Steam Train around the Bugle Ranges. And the one thing they all have in common – they’re designed to bring liked minded people together and have some fun!
Our events are fun, low cost and inclusive! And your supports are welcome to join in. If there is something we can do to make participation possible for you, let us know, we’ll try our best to make it happen.
We can’t wait to welcome you at an event soon.
We have loaded up the fun this winter, here’s what you can look forward to;
🌟GAMING ON THE BIG SCREEN
🌟ILLUMINATE ADELAIDE FIRE GARDENS & DINNER
🌟BUILD A LEGO CITY
🌟RIDE THE STEAM RANGER
🌟HANDS ON POTTERY CLASS FOR ALL LEVELS
🌟TOUR CLELAND WILDLIFE PARK
🎫Bookings via Eventbrite are essential.
Find all of the details including dates & pricing on Eventbrite.
If you want to be part of a community where people with lived experience with disability thrive you are welcome to attend.
We’ve refreshed what it means to be a member of Strong & Capable and we’re pleased to be able to offer a range of benefits and perks, plus we introduced a Friends of the Co-op, so there really is something for everyone!
Read more about membership options.
A few members of the Strong & Capable Community headed out for a round of mini golf and pizza as a good excuse to get together and have some fun!
The course was travel themed and took us all around the world, and nine holes was just long enough for us to see some real putting talent!
No mini golf tournament is complete without giving out some awards:
Photo captions from left to right, Members enjoying pizza before the game, Clair taking a putt, Graeson & team taking a break between holes.
Get togethers like this enable meaningful social connections and this is what we are so passionate about!
Want to attend the next Community Catch Up and be part of our growing community? Then make sure you are signed up to the Co-op and keep an eye on our Event Calendar.
Its FREE to be a Friend of the Co-op, check out what it means to be part of our community.
There is so much you can get involved in around Adelaide.
Use this list to help plan your Peer Mentoring activities!
Whatever you are into, I’m sure you’ll find something fun to do.
Check the venues & events where the SA Companion Card is accepted
Looking for someone who shares your interests? Make sure you are signed up to our Peer Mentoring Program.
If you need help enquiring or booking into activities please reach out.
What did we miss? We love hearing from you so please share your own tips to find things to do.
Onboarding as a Peer Mentor is self paced process and utilises an online platform called Volaby.
To make the process as efficient as possible, we suggest organising the required checks & clearances first.
The required clearances are FREE for Volunteers. There are no out of pocket expenses to become a Volunteer Mentor.
If you need to apply for a National Police Clearance or a Working With Children Check, please follow the instructions below.
Applying for a National Police Clearance
We have selected online training tools and resources to equip you with the knowledge to ensure everyone is kept safe and are ready to help people with disabilities fully participate in society.
Additionally we host a monthly Mentor Meet Up via Mighty Networks for an informal Question & Answer session.
Once you have completed the process on Volaby, you are ready to go! You’ll be invited to set up a Profile on Mentorloop the platform where we facilitate the 1:1 peer mentoring activities. This process takes less than 5 minutes.
Your role is incredibly important and we want to make sure its a mutually valuable experience for both mentees and mentors, therefore we utilise a number of tools to track our impact, including data from Volaby, Mentorloop and engagement surveys.
Happy Mentoring!!
Last Thursday 4 April 2024, we celebrated the launch of our new Peer Mentoring program – a program all about connecting people with disability with those with lived experience, to increase their social connections and community relationships.
We had such a fun night with plenty of games, food, drinks, and most importantly, we had the opportunity to connect and form strong bonds with those in our community 🤗
A massive thank you to everyone who joined us to celebrate our launch, as well as Hard Days Night ADL for the awesome venue, Peter from 7 Fold Media for capturing the night, and to our fabulous organisers and Board that made this night happen.
It means the world to us and we’re so excited for what’s to come!
Highlights from the night include;
Watch the video for a short overview of the event!
Learn more about our Peer Mentoring Program
Podcast By Steve Davis
In this important episode, we delve into the complexities of living with disabilities in Adelaide, set against the backdrop of the city’s ongoing efforts towards inclusivity. Our guests, including David Olney, Jorja Denton, and insights from Clair Crowley of the Strong & Capable Co-operative, share their lived experiences navigating well-intended urban interventions that sometimes present mixed outcomes for individuals with different disabilities. As Adelaide seeks public feedback on its new Disability Access and Inclusion Plan, this conversation aims to contribute unique perspectives to the dialogue, exploring the interplay of technology, community support, and the broader societal understanding of disability.
And in the Musical Pilgrimage, we feature the the song “Fabulous” by Rachael Leahcar, written and produced exclusively for the No Strings Attached Theatre Of Disability.
Listen to the full podcast on The Adelaide Show website.
Join us in celebrating how Peer Mentoring can positively impact the lives of people with disability and how collectively we can make a difference.
This launch party will showcase the program, giving you a glimpse into the exciting opportunities ahead. Join us as we embark on this journey together and create a community dedicated to growth, learning, and empowerment.
THE DETAILS:
📅 Date: Thursday April 4th, 4:30 PM – 8:00 PM
📍 Location: Hard Days Night, 301 Wright Street, Adelaide SA 5000
💲 Cost: From $10 per person.
🎫 Bookings required: via Eventbrite.
Bookings end Monday 25 March 2024.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
🌟 Strong & Capable freebies and info – because who doesn’t like free stuff?!
🤝 Networking opportunities with like-minded professionals, mentors and mentees
🎨 Interactive activities including board games, human bingo, an instax camera
photos and more!
🍽️ Delicious food provided by Whoopi Goldburger,
🍺 Drinks available from the bar
🌈 Sensory friendly spaces available
🏆 Prizes available on the night!
👗 Wear whatever makes you happy… !
If you have any questions or concerns, please send them to hello@strongandcapable.com.au and we’ll listen and adapt to be as inclusive as we can possibly be.
Not yet a member, join up now!