By LIAM DURKIN
THE sylvan setting of a rural farm is set to benefit patients within the Gippsland Support Services network.
The organisation recently opened ‘The Ranch’ in Hazelwood South – a five acre recreation farm offering a range of activities for people living with disability.
Open Day was held Monday, January 17 and saw no shortage of activities, including face painting, a jumping castle and even a game of backyard cricket.
The farm was previously a residential property, and has been transformed into a modern facility to help give those living with disability an area to get active and feel supported in a naturally inclusive, relaxing environment.
A creative space has been established in the farm shed, where participants can take part in areas such as music, woodwork and arts and craft, while short term accommodation/respite is also available.
Other activities on offer at The Ranch are cooking, bike riding and camping, as well as animal therapy, mindfulness and counselling.
As Jodie Gunsser of The Ranch management team explained, the facility was designed with the thought of moving away from having services solely inside four walls of a physical building.
“What we have found in the past is an office space isn’t desirable, it is about open spaces, having the open space means people can separate themselves if they have behaviours or become overwhelmed with anxiety or autism in a small space, those different degrees of disability can have an impact, hence why we have created this safe space,” she said.
“It is a facility open for participants with a disability to provide therapeutic support, community participation, respite, amongst other things, it has been two years in the making and a lot of planning.
“There is a lot for every individual need about inclusiveness and the open space for our participants to engage in a variety of activities.”
It is hoped this hands-on approach will assist the some 200 Gippsland Support Services participants in gaining the skills to enjoy a quality of life.
“There are capacity building skills, some people need to have adequate skills and supports to live independently so it is really the individualised approach to meet those people’s needs,” Ms Gunsser said.
“All our staff have different skill sets, so anyone from social workers, certificates in disability, then we also have people with trades, it could be a mechanic, a tradesperson that can then teach participants skill developments … so that versatility and wide range of support staff is what everyone needs in life to develop those skills.”
The Ranch is located at 140 Thomson Road, Hazelwood South and is open seven days a week.
For more information visit gippslandsupportservices.com.au or email info@gippslandsupportservices.com.au.
