Maria learns life skills
POSITIVE ENVIRONMENT: Maria helping set up the Christmas tree on her first day in the new SIL home.
Looking for a fresh start and an opportunity to learn new life skills, Maria moved into a Brighter Access Supported Independent Living (SIL) home on the Central Coast late last year.
Prior to move-in day, a lot of behind-the-scenes work was done by our Brighter Access team to ensure Maria was paired with a roommate who shared the same interests and hobbies as her.
Our team identified the perfect match, a participant who was already settled into one of our SIL homes and within hours of meeting the girls had already made plans to go for dinner that night.
“I’m glad I went with this home, it feels like a home already,” Maria said on move-in day. After a morning of moving boxes, the two roommates played board games, spoke about their favourite books and even put the Christmas tree up together to boost the home’s festive spirit.
After setting up her room, Maria said her main goal in the SIL home was to learn important skills. “Basically, I came here to learn more life skills and be able to get support with everyday things. I would like to learn how to cook,” she said.
Getting involved in the soccer season was another of Maria’s goals for 2021. Previously, she had played in a school team and for school sport but said she would like to try out the local competition.
Maria has now been in the SIL house for a few months and has really made a home for herself. Brighter Access Accommodation Manager Emma Wiltshire said Maria and her roommate have been bonding well, and together enjoy going to Bingo, doing quizzes, dancing and colouring in.
“Maria has been able to have friends over and has also enjoyed the freedom of going out in the local area, with staff and on her own. Just this week Maria has been accepted into a TAFE course and is excited about the year ahead, with plans to join a soccer club and a dance group in the works,” Emma said in January.
Brighter Access support staff have assisted Maria to learn some key skills such as cooking and planning shopping lists, which will help her work towards her goal of living independently. Congratulations Maria for being accepted into TAFE!
For information about our current SIL vacancies, or to chat about the services we offer at Brighter Access, call us on 1300 908 122.
