Experiences

Bedford is here to provide you with fun, challenging, and capacity-building social activities in the community, at home, or at a Bedford Experiences site.

Previously called 'Community Access and Lifestyle', Bedford Experiences tailors our programs to suit your needs - the choice is all yours.

You can participate in any Experiences activity that you want to try! Bedford offers social and recreational activities for both individuals and small groups with varying support needs. Our range of in-house and community-based activities is extensive, from group social outings to increasing your independence and life skills, through to individual cooking classes or support to get your Learner's Permit.

We currently offer Experiences programs and supports at our Panorama, Torrensville, Elizabeth, Port Lincoln, Port Pirie and Wallaroo sites.

If your NDIS plan includes Core funding for social and community participation, you can access Bedford Experiences. If you do not have NDIS funding in this area but would like to join in, contact us and we can discuss how you can take part.

We also have a great Summer Holiday schedule available over December and early January each year! See below for more details.

If you are on an NDIS plan and looking for something to do over the Christmas and New Year period, we’ve got lots of fun activities for you!

In December you could find yourself going shopping, strawberry picking or having lunch by the river at Murray Bridge. In January, you could be doing anything from going to the cinema to racing around a go-kart track! Find out more about the program at the link below.

To sign up for our holiday activities, please contact the Bedford team by phoning 8116 2162 or emailing clientmanagement@bedfordgroup.com.au before 1 December!

Make new friends, get out in the community and have fun on your Saturday.

Bedford’s Social Saturdays are group community-based activities where you’ll have the opportunity to try new experiences, spend time with friends and enjoy a fun day out.

You’ll have a say in choosing and planning the activities, from fruit picking to surfing or a trip to the movies – you can be guaranteed that no two Social Saturdays events will be the same!

Social Saturdays are currently offered at our metro Adelaide locations, including Elizabeth, Panorama and Torrensville.

Clients will need to pay an additional $30 per session on average to cover the cost of activities and lunch. The exact cost is dependent on the activity and each client will be updated monthly with a schedule of activities and outings with the costs outlined.

Learn how to cook in a fun and supportive group environment.

Bedford’s small group cooking classes provide you with the confidence and skills to prepare and cook your own meals at home. You’ll develop skills in:

• literacy and numeracy
• measuring ingredients
• menu planning
• budgeting
• kitchen and food safety

Classes are currently located at Bedford’s Elizabeth, Panorama and Torrensville sites on weekdays and weekends. There is an addition $10 charge per person to help cover cost of the food required for each class.

Learn to prepare and cook meals in the comfort of your own home.

In Bedford’s individual cooking classes, you’ll be accompanied by a Disability Support Worker who will teach you how to prepare and cook your favourite meals. These cooking classes will arm you with skills in:

• literacy and numeracy
• measuring ingredients
• menu planning
• budgeting
• kitchen and food safety

If you’re ready to grow your confidence in the kitchen, improve your independence and have a whole lot of fun, then Bedford’s individual cooking classes are for you!

Bedford can provide support at your home to help you live as independently as possible.

You’ll receive one-on-one support and supervision to undertake daily tasks from personal care through to the cleaning of your house or washing clothes.

Bedford’s Disability Support Worker will work with you in a fun and supportive environment to achieve your home goals, increase your self-worth and reduce reliance on a family member or carer.

Bedford’s numeracy and literacy sessions will help you in all aspects of daily life.

Learn how to recognise and use time, develop your writing, and understand basic mathematical symbols.

These sessions are offered on an individual basis with one of our friendly Disability Support Workers and can be undertaken at any of our Bedford sites or in the comfort of your own home.

Learn how to perform common tasks on a computer to increase your independence and improve communication skills.

Bedford’s computer and phone skills course will help you to:

• appropriately start up and shut down a computer and / or phone
• navigate the operating system and start applications
• perform basic functions of file management, including how to save documents and files
• perform basic functions in a word processor and spreadsheet
• manage print settings and print documents
• receive and send emails (including with attachments)
• use a web browser to navigate the internet
• increase your knowledge on cybersafety and awareness of internet scams

Flourish in your daily life by gaining vital independence and life skills at Bedford.

As part of this program you’ll be assisted and supported by a Disability Support Worker to:

• understand how to care for your health and wellbeing
• increase independence in everyday activities
• communicate with others
• understand the importance of self-worth and empathy
• build and maintain relationships
• be safe in the community

We’re ready to help you reach your independence and life goals!

Choose Bedford to help you study for your Learner's Permit.

Getting your Driver's Licence has so many advantages, including increased freedom, more job opportunities and the ability to easily get around your local community.

Our Disability Support Workers are equipped with the CBT Driver Education Service tuition guide to help you kick-start your learning of the theory behind getting your Learner's Permit.

Sessions can be undertaken in a location that best suits you, whether that be at a Bedford site, the local library, or at home.

Additional costs include The Driver’s Handbook publication ($10), the Learner’s Theory Test ($35), and the Learners Permit ($61).

Reach your social goals by getting out in the community with Bedford.

With the support and guidance of a Disability Support Worker, you’ll have the opportunity to enhance your mental health and wellbeing through increased social and community participation.

The social skills sessions can be tailored to your individual goals to increase your confidence and self-esteem in social situations.

If you like to sing, dance, listen to music, or simply want to make new friends and have some fun - Bedford Beats is for you!

Musical therapy releases endorphins that can give us energy and lower our stress levels. Not to mention, singing or playing music in a group increases our feeling of well-being, social inclusion and connection.

Music is for everybody. It's an expressive form which connects people to share backgrounds, stories, struggles, memories and future hopes. Bedford Beats welcomes our members to join in any way you are comfortable or able to.

Details:

Bedford Beats rehearses every Friday at the below sites and times.

Elizabeth and Torrensville sites: 2pm - 5pm

Panorama site: 2:30pm - 5:30 pm