Celebrating the “importance of friendship”
We’re celebrating some of the very special friendships that have developed between our clients this International Day of Friendship!
We’re celebrating some of the very special friendships that have developed between our clients this International Day of Friendship!
From dancing together, going for coffees, sharing birthdays, laughing, joking and just generally getting out-and-about – friends make our world brighter simply by being in it.
Bec and Jenny
Bec and Jenny have been friends for a long time and can often be seen out-and-about in Benalla together, when they’re not hanging out at Yooralla’s Benalla Community Hub.
“She’s fun!” says Jenny, about Bec. “I like that we are friends. We have a good laugh and joke around together.”
“I like dancing with her and doing social things,” said Jenny.
Bec shares the same sentiments, saying “I like everything about Jenny, we’ve been friends for a long time.
“I like going out with Jenny around Benalla, where we both live,” Bec said.
“You’ve got to have friends around you to make you feel happy,” said Jenny.
“Friends make me feel good,” agrees Bec.
Friends at Lower Dandenong
The residents at Lower Dandenong aren’t just housemates, but “mates” as well, recognising that “friends are important in our lives”.
You’ll often find spending lots of time together, having BBQs, celebrating birthdays and going out for coffee.
“We are addicted to coffee, we call ourselves the ‘coffee lovers’,” said Andrew, Stephen and Luke. Stephen and Luke often head out for coffee, bringing one back for Andrew who is limited to bed rest.
“My friend Stephen comes into my unit for coffee and to have a joke around,” said Andrew.
The friendship group at Lower Dandenong also extends across another one of Yooralla’s accommodation services, with more friends living over at Stevenson’s Road. The residents often get together to celebrate special events.
“I have good memories of a Harmony Week party at Stevensons. My mates live there, including Philip,” said Vanny.
“I love being friends with the Stevensons Road residents,” agrees Andrew.
“I am very social,” said Luke, “I like to have friends as much as I can, as I talk a lot. That’s why I need friends at Lower Dandenong and outside,” he said.
Peter, another resident agrees “friends are important. I have many friends at Lower Dandenong and outside Yooralla – including my best friend Gary who helps me and drives me around if I need a ride.
“I normally like to be alone, but I realise that time-to-time, we need friends in our lives,” said Vanny.
Want to make new friends?
We specialise in supporting children, teenagers and adults with disabilities to achieve their individual goals and learn new life skills, all in a social setting. Social groups are a great way to build independence in the community, become familiar with navigating public transport and assist with time management skills. We offer fortnightly social groups across metropolitan Melbourne and regional Victoria. Talk to us about finding the right one for you!