Our stories
Sprung - Dance workshop a hit
12 Oct 2017
A local inclusive Dance company Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre contacted Ability Links for assistance after the director had seen an article in Frankie Magazine about a Deaf professional dancer Anna Seymour based in Melbourne.
The dance company wanted to try and get her up to the Northern Rivers to share her expertise and facilitate a workshop over 5 days with choreographer Michael Hennessy, along with both dancers from the company, and interested community members.
The company had secured a grant enabling them to engage a professional, however, the grant did not cover the costs of providing interpreters for the duration of the workshop. Ability Links met with representatives from the dance company, as well as the Deaf professional.
Ability Links Smart Art Includes You Challenge receives support for inclusive message
9 Oct 2017
What does inclusion mean to you?
That was the question posed to more than 1000 students across the Hunter and Central Coast in an art competition designed to spark a conversation about the nine-letter word.
Organised by disability support group Ability Links, the challenge triggered a wave of interest that saw rap songs, videos, paintings, drawings and sculptures entered for the inaugural exhibit.
The winning Newcastle schools were the Hunter School of Performing Arts and Cooks Hill Campus.
Hunter Valley Students Get Their Art On
2 Oct 2017
Newcastle and Hunter Valley students 'Get Their Art On' for inclusive Smart Art Challenge
From Gosford to Dungog, and everywhere in between, students have taken part in the inaugural ‘Smart Art Includes You’ Challenge to create rap songs, videos, paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Ability Links holds 'Smart Art Includes You' art exhibition at PCYC Cessnock
25 Sep 2017
Dozens of local school children have put paintbrush to paper to create art with a meaningful message for Ability Links’ inaugural 'Smart Art Includes You' challenge.
Michael's Story
24 Sep 2017
Meet Michael: St George Dragons supporter, animal lover and gardener.
Michael loves helping people and wanted some support from Ability Links to find an opportunity where he could serve his community. We made enquiries around the community and found a place close to where Michael lives where he could assist cooking and serving food for his community.
Michael is now thriving in an environment where he is appreciated for his skills and where he feels valued. He gives meaningful service to a community that really needs it. I asked Michael what he likes about volunteering at Salvos and he said “I just love helping people”. I think that sums up Michael and why he makes such a great volunteer.
Lake Macquarie Includes You
24 Sep 2017
Lake Macquarie City Council and Ability Links to bring a safe retreat tent to major event
Read the full article in the Lakes Mail
Getting around - Carey’s Story
15 Sep 2017
For regional areas, lack of transport options can be very isolating and for Carey, it meant he was spending most of his time at home.
When Carey and an Ability Links’ ‘Linker’ first met up to discuss his goals and aspirations, Carey talked about his difficulty in getting around town.
Carey told his Linker that he either had to walk or catch a taxi, as there was no public transport available and that because of the cost of taxis, he wasn’t able to access his local community as often as he would like, especially if it was raining.
Mary's Panchant for Poetry
15 Sep 2017
Ever since Mary was young she has loved writing poetry. Over the years, this love has extended to a desire to share her poetry with others, however, opportunities for poetry events were few and far between in her town.
When Mary discussed her passion with a local linker, they decided to work together with the local library where Mary volunteers to plan an event where she could perform her poetry.
The Linker introduced Mary to the coordinator of the local arts council who was also a poet and could guide Mary in putting on the event. Mary invited other local and visiting poets to participate in the event and together worked to plan and promote the poetry event.
Finding your feel
11 Sep 2017
Sarah lives in a small community and lives with severe depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia. She also has a speech impediment, which makes it difficult for her to communicate with those around her. Often people mistakenly think she has an intellectual disability.
Sometimes Sarah would seriously harm herself and she had a difficult relationship with hospital emergency staff and local doctors. Her behaviour meant that many services were reluctant to work with her and in a small country town, this can mean there are few options to get the help you need. Sarah was also not managing her medication well and would lock herself away.
Ability Links connected Sara with services and other supports and helped her identify her goals and worked with her to achieve them. Sara wanted to improve her wellbeing, learn some new skills to help her mother at home and find some part-time work.
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