3 reasons to think about pursuing your interests at Yooralla’s Community Hub in Benalla!

You’ll be supported to develop the independence you need to access the community and learn new skills in areas that interest you most.

Our staff are passionate about supporting clients to pursue their interests and live life their way. For some clients, this may mean receiving support to develop their skills to become more independent. Benalla Community Hub programs are generally delivered in group settings, which many of our clients love for the social aspect. However, we also provide one-to-one support for increased social and community participation, including to participate in group activities. We can provide individual support for everyday tasks too.

April is a client at our Benalla Hub, who has been using Yooralla services for two years. She has been supported by Yooralla staff to learn the skills needed to travel independently to the Hub via taxi. Even the local taxi drivers have got on board to support April and other clients, by playing their favourite songs on their taxi journeys! 

Paula, a Benalla Disability Support Worker, said it was a big milestone when April first travelled independently to the Hub. 

“When she came to Yooralla it was a very, very big step for her. And she now catches a taxi independently to and from Yooralla,” said Paula.

April comes to the Benalla Community Hub one day a week and enjoys the creative outlet. 

“I enjoy coming to Yooralla because it’s fun. We do some scrapbooking, painting and sewing and listen to some music. Take some photos of plants,” said April.

April loves the photography program, which is delivered both at the Hub and in the community, including out in the bush where clients enjoy photographing nature.

 “The Yooralla Community Hub showed me a new photography skill when you go up with the camera and take a photo at the top of the tree,” said April. 

April said she also takes photos of her friends from the Hub when they are out on excursions, “I took a photo of us at the Winton Wetlands,” she said.

If you’re looking for increased social and community participation, get in touch!

The Benalla Community Hub is an excellent base for clients to get out and about in the community and in nature. The Hub itself has large, bright indoor and outdoor spaces, including beautiful gardens and fruit trees – plenty of room for activities! Client Joel enjoys playing basketball, while Jenny enjoys using the space to garden with friends. 

Indoors, there is a large kitchen where clients are supported to develop their cooking skills, sometimes using produce from their garden. They also make food as a group for social events held in the Hub’s large common area/event space, such as the recent Halloween celebration.

The photography group loves getting out into nature to practice the skills they learn at the Hub. 

Jenna, a client from the Benalla Community Hub enjoys photographing wildlife on group outings. “We go out to the bush and we took pictures of the lizards,” Jenna said with a smile. 

Participants love getting out into the local community and doing activities that align with their interests such as going to the Library, the Lake, Botanic Gardens, Art Gallery and Bowling. 

Need more connection in your life? Yooralla may have the Social and Community Participation activities you’re looking for.

Many clients at the Benalla Community Hub talk about art and creating as being important to them, and there are plenty of opportunities for people to express their creative sides and learn new skills with others. 

Jenna looks forward to the Hub’s social get togethers as both a chance to practice her costume making skills and to connect with others. Some events are even held with participants from surrounding Community Hubs like Wangaratta and Mansfield.

Jenna won first place in the costume contest at the Hub’s Halloween Celebrations in October, for her handmade Freddy Fazbear costume from the movie ‘Five Nights at Freddy’s’. 

“I made my costume for Halloween, and I helped my friends make their costumes too,” said Jenna.

Rebecca and Jenny also enjoy creating art at the Hub, and with the support of Yooralla staff entered their creations in this year’s Benalla Show competitions.

Rebecca made a doll and was awarded second place. “I got second place in the art show,” she said.

“With [the support of staff member] Nicole I got two things put in the [Benalla] Show, my two butterflies. I’ve got two prizes out of it,” said Jenny proudly.

Jenny also loves to get out and about and dancing. “I love dancing. What I love about it is I have great fun out of it,” she said.

Rebecca reflects on the friendships she has made and the activities she enjoys. “My favourite thing would be friends. I’ve got lots! I love bowling on Mondays and Tuesdays art,” she said. 

Is there anything you’d love to be doing that you’re not? Is there something you love doing that you’d like to do more of? Or something you’d love to learn? 

Contact us today and tell us what you want out of your life, so we can support you to make it happen! Even if what you read here isn’t what you are looking for, our supports can be tailored to your needs and interests.