0125 - Community Participation
Participating in the community is a core goal for the members of MyAdvancedCare. All our efforts are aimed at making sure the disabled can become a part of the community and be fully embraced by everyone in it.
We start slowly and then eventually expand our disabled client’s participation in the community at large. Some of the activities we provide or encourage include having the disabled client:
Attend personal development courses
Join a social/hobby/activity group
Go on an outing or a holiday
Visit a holiday camp
Go to community events
Join a sporting club
Learn to use a local library
See a movie or a concert
We take our members on a tour of the library, get them a library card, and show them how it all works, from research to borrowing books and films. This opens the door to the arts, culture and further education and gives them a sense of belonging to the community.
Personal development courses prepare a person to interact with the community. They go over whatever obstacles the client needs to overcome including learning social cues and the basics of civil life. Only when they understand what they need to do we move on to other aspects of community participation.
A brief holiday allows the disabled to realise they are not stuck at home forever. It broadens their horizons from beyond their front door to the outside world, where they can experience all life has to offer. It’s an exciting step in the journey toward an independent life!
Attending a movie or a concert is such an important part of community life. Nothing makes you feel like you’re a part of a community when you’re singing along or applauding with everyone around you. It is a very liberating experience!
Finally, we invite our members to community events or sporting clubs. Being involved in community events lets them get to know people – and be known. An active life is a full life.
By the time a member has finished our programme, they are fully integrated into their community and can have fun on their own. Their independence is increased, and they begin not only to survive, however these experiences can help them achieve the internal authority and confidence to truly thrive.
