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.
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.
Our Peer Mentoring Program Coordinator, Clair caught up with Leanne to learn how she found the experience. Here’s what Leanne had to say:
Clair: How were you feeling about participating in the Peer Mentoring activity?
Leanne: I was really looking forward to getting out and about and joining the rest of the world – I’ve been in a bit of a rut. A bit nervous about meeting someone new, but feeling quite happy that we were going to do something that we BOTH wanted to do.
Clair: How long had it been since you had visited a community market & what had been stopping you from going?
Leanne: I didn’t realise I had stopped going to things like the market. It’s not as much fun on your own, and almost felt like a task without the company of someone else who wanted to be there.
Clair: How did you feel while you were participating in the activity?
Leanne: It had been a while since I had been to something like this – so I felt a bit awkward. It was great to have the distraction of someone to turn to and talk about the things for sale, and someone to point out things I hadn’t noticed. I didn’t feel quite so conspicuous, or like I was standing out – as you can when you are on your own. I felt more confident and it was so good to join the community.
Clair: Do you feel like this is something you want to do again, has it inspired you to find a regular way to build this activity into your routine or even try something new?
Leanne: I love the idea of trying new things as a bit of an experiment. I have realised that I need to schedule more fun into my life!
It’s not part of my routine yet, but has reminded me how good it is to get out and explore and interrupt the cycle of staying home (it’s a trap!)
Clair: Anything else you’d like to add?
Leanne: I’m really glad that I gave it a go, and I felt great afterwards. It gave me the chance to join in conversations about what we did over the weekend. Usually I don’t have much to add.
The planning ahead part was a positive experience too, something to look forward to.
Peer Mentoring Program Coordinator Comment
If you or someone you know might be interested in participating in the Peer Mentoring Program, don’t hesitate to reach out.
In the journey of personal development, finding the right support system can be the key to unlocking your full potential. One powerful way to achieve personal growth is through participating in a peer mentoring program. These programs offer a blend of guidance, friendship, and shared experiences that can lead to positive changes in your life. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the benefits of participating in a mentoring program.
One of the main reasons to participate in peer mentoring is the opportunity to gain a new outlook. When you connect with peers from diverse backgrounds and life experiences, you open yourself up to a wealth of knowledge and wisdom that you might not encounter otherwise. This new outlook can help you see the world in new ways, supporting personal growth and improving your problem-solving skills.
2. Responsibility and Goal Setting
In a peer mentoring program, you can set goals and work towards them with the support and encouragement of your peers. This built-in accountability can be a powerful motivator to help you stay on track and achieve your personal and professional objectives. Knowing that others are counting on you can boost your commitment and determination.
3. Constructive Input
Constructive input is essential for personal development, but it can sometimes be difficult to obtain from friends and family who may be too close to the you. In a peer mentoring program, you can expect honest feedback from your peers. They can provide you with valuable insights, helping you identify areas for improvement and the path to achieve this.
4. Skill Development
Whether you’re looking to make new connections, improve your communication abilities, or learn new skills, a peer mentoring program can be a useful tool. Peers can share their knowledge and expertise, offer guidance, and even provide hands-on training. The opportunity to be exposed to different skill sets will support your personal and professional growth.
5. Emotional Support
Personal development isn’t just about gaining new skills; it’s also about emotional well-being. Peer mentoring programs offer a safe and supportive environment where you can share your challenges, fears, and successes. This emotional support can help reduce stress, boost self-confidence, and provide a sense of belonging.
6. Grow your community
Participating in a peer mentoring program can also expand your social network. The connections you make within the program can lead to new experiences and friendships. Engaging with others is an essential part of personal development, as it opens doors to new experiences and possibilities.
Participating in a peer mentoring program can be a life-changing experience. The benefits, ranging from new perspectives and accountability to constructive input and emotional support, make these programs invaluable tools for personal development. If you’re looking to enhance your personal and professional growth, consider joining a peer mentoring program. You’ll not only grow as an individual but also contribute to the growth of your peers, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and support.
Ready to join a Peer Mentoring Program – check out the details here.
become a member