Meaningful Activities in Partnership (MAP)

What is MAP?

Meaningful Activities in Partnership (MAP) is a service that provides individuals with a disability the opportunity to engage in activities that interest them. We provide a relaxed, fun, and social environment geared toward facilitating the ideas and interests of everyone involved.

Through the sharing of support, we are able to provide a cost-effective service to help you get the most out of your NDIS funding. Our staff aims to provide you with a homely environment to explore opportunities, develop new friendships and participate in new experiences.

MAP’s MISSION

MAP seeks to put more choice and control back into the hands of the participants by facilitating their ideas and interests. Often participants are given the option of choosing from a narrow list of activities, limiting those that may not be really interested in what is being offered.

MAP endeavors to remove these constraints by becoming a service created by participants, for the participants. Individuals will have more opportunities to engage in activities meaningful to them when they are empowered in the pursuit of their own interests.

Everything we do is directed towards our philosophy of:

• Fun and Friendships
• Individuality
• Self-determination
• Opportunity
• Respect
• Creativity
• Care

Where / When

Due to the various activities we offer, MAP operates out of different areas around the western suburbs of Melbourne.

Our activity hubs give us the flexible space needed to facilitate a number of activities. We also have a number of satellite options for like-minded participants in order to reduce transportation time and cost. Please contact us for more information.

MAP operates from Monday to Friday (9:00am – 3:00pm) and runs 50 weeks of the year. Weekends are available upon request.

Our Sessions

MAP currently offers 10 different sessions. We are always on the lookout to provide new ongoing sessions or special one-off activities based on the participant’s interests. Every session is designed and managed by a Session Leader, who brings their own unique skills and experiences to share with you.

Every four weeks we will sit down with you to review and plan your upcoming sessions. MAP prides itself on providing a flexible service so you are able to have a bigger involvement in the sessions and activities you enjoy.

Some of the sessions we provide are:

Domestic Skills

For participants to understand and practise key aspects of maintaining a home. Our domestic skills group is provided with opportunities to develop safe food handling practices and explore different cooking skills. This gives participants the chance to grow their independence and try some new recipes. Definitely one for food lovers.

Photography

Smile! Our photography group teaches participants about navigating camera functions and learning the basic principles of photography. The photography group likes to have fun by exploring and taking photos of themselves and the environment. Participants also love to share and print their favourite shots.

10 Pin Bowling

Who doesn’t love to go bowling? The bowling group is all about having fun and practising their bowling skills. This session also provides the opportunity to develop money handling skills as well as promote general physical / emotional wellbeing, social skills, and self-confidence.

Community Supports

This session is for the adventures and explorers. Participants are provided with opportunities to access a wide range of community venues to develop their social, money, road, and public transport skills. This session is designed to put the participants in charge and maximize client choice and decision-making.

Literacy

Our literacy group aims to help participants to build on their existing literacy skills and develop new ones based on their individual abilities. By improving these skills we promote self-confidence and increase independence through the development of language.

Jams & Jellies

Exactly as the name suggests, our Jams & Jellies group get to make their own Jams and Jellies! Participants learn a range of techniques used for making preserves as well as other cooking skills. Jams & Jellies is directed towards providing clients with a sense of value and purpose as well as providing the opportunity to make and distribute goods that they helped create. (The taste testing is pretty good too.)

Horticulture

Our horticulture group is for all the green thumbs and outdoor enthusiasts. Participants are given the opportunity develop and learn a number basic gardening, lawn care and horticulture skills. The horticulture session often collaborates in group projects to promote team work, self-worth, friendship and self-confidence. This session frequently travels offsite and gets to promote their work within the wider community.

Sensory & Recreational Activities

This session is the embodiment of MAP and designed to keep things fresh. Participants are encouraged to advocate for their interests, maximizing their choice and control to engage in a wide variety of activities. This may include, but is not limited to: exploring sensory items, board games, listening/dancing/singing to music, playing musical instruments, adult colouring, going on walks, going for drives, swimming, playing indoor and outdoor sports etc.

Craft Hub

Our craft hub session introduces the participants to a range of art and craft techniques. Participants can join in guided sessions or have the space to share and pursue their own individual art or craft interests. This is the place for participants to really explore their creativity.

Pampering

Easily our most relaxed session. Participants get to enjoy a day of relaxation and pampering by getting their nails, hair and make-up done with some quiet music and good company. Pampering is a very social group for everyone to increase their self-esteem and develop friendships while sharing a laugh over a cuppa.

How can I get involved?

Are you interested in joining MAP? Participating in some trial sessions? Are you looking for more information? Then please don’t hesitate to contact us today with any questions or about anything MAP related.

We are more than happy to discuss ways to make MAP work for you around your support needs, costs, transportation and your NDIS plan.

You can call our head office or reach out to our MAP Manager through email.

Email: map@gellibrand.org.au