Hello ,

Welcome to the Spring edition of our quarterly community newsletter.

We're excited to share with you details of our new children's services programs, as well as the appointment of an experienced occupational therapist to oversee their delivery. We were also thrilled to recently attend disability expos in Wodonga and Shepparton to connect with our wider disability community.

We hope you enjoy catching up on our latest news and learning more about the initiatives, events and services that continue to support people with disability and their families across our region.

Kind regards,

The ConneXtions Team

Adventure, fun & friendship

From magical realms to the great outdoors, and friendship circles to secret spy headquarters, a range of new programs at ConneXtions Wodonga is helping young people with disabilities to build confidence, develop social skills and connect with others.

The programs, delivered at ConneXtions’ Moorefield Park facility, are designed to support children through shared interests and engaging activities that encourage friendship, participation and personal growth.

Led by experienced practitioners, the new programs include:

Friendship Explorers (6-14 years)

A welcoming, play-based program where children can build confidence, strengthen social and communication skills, and develop meaningful friendships through guided activities, teamwork and creative play.

Dungeons & Dragons (10-18 years)

Young adventurers can explore magical realms, solve puzzles and work together to overcome challenges while building communication, teamwork, creativity and problem-solving skills.

Girls United (school age)

A supportive space where girls can connect with peers, explore topics such as self-esteem, relationships and personal growth, and build confidence in a safe and encouraging environment.

Outdoor Explorers (school age)

Perfect for children who love the outdoors, this program promotes confidence, resilience and independence through activities such as bike riding, swimming, fishing and outdoor adventures.

Secret Agent Society (8-12 years)

Supporting children to build confidence and social skills through fun, spy-themed activities that teach emotional awareness, friendship skills, resilience and strategies for dealing with bullying and change.

For further information or to register your interest, click here

New OT helps children to thrive

An experienced occupational therapist has joined the team at ConneXtions to help children with disabilities develop their daily living skills.

Adele Moran has three decades of experience working with children and families, beginning as a social studies student in Ireland and more recently as an occupational therapist in the Albury-Wodonga region.

At ConneXtions, Adele will not only provide occupational therapy but also support and mentor the children’s services team at our Moorefield Park Drive facility in Wodonga.

With a special interest in trauma and sensory regulation, Adele will look to strengthen the sensory-informed approaches already being used in children’s services programs.

“I think the team is already using sensory approaches, but we can really strengthen that with having an OT on board,” she said.

For Adele, effective support is about more than seeing a therapist every fortnight. It is about creating environments where children feel safe, understood and connected.

“I don’t necessarily think kids need to see an OT every two weeks for the rest of their life,” she said. “I think they need good relationships to help them learn – and that’s what’s here.”

Adele began her career working with kids at risk in disadvantaged communities in her home country of Ireland. She first came to Australia as a backpacker and fell in love with the lifestyle, climate and opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.

After becoming a permanent resident 20 years ago, Adele spent much of her career working with children with disabilities before qualifying as an occupational therapist three years ago.

Outside of her role with ConneXtions, Adele recently began delivering Story Dogs sessions with her much-loved labrador cross, Peaches. The program sees children at local primary schools read to Peaches, who has been specially trained to help build their confidence and reading skills.

Connecting with the community

ConneXtions staff recently attended disability expos in Wodonga and Shepparton where they had the opportunity to connect with participants, families, carers and industry professionals from across the region.

The expos allowed our team to showcase the wide range of supports and services we provide to NDIS and TAC participants, while also learning more about the needs and aspirations of local communities.

As a registered NDIS and TAC service provider, ConneXtions delivers personalised, high-quality support to individuals with intellectual, physical, sensory, cognitive, and psychosocial disabilities. We also offer early intervention services and social learning groups for children and young adults.

At ConneXtions, every participant receives an individualised support plan tailored to their goals and aspirations. Whether it's finding employment, building friendships, increasing independence, developing new skills, accessing personal care, or becoming more involved in the community, our focus is on helping people live the life they choose.

Email: info@connextions.org.au

Website: www.connextions.org.au