By Jess Baker
One of Australia’s largest non-government disability service providers is this week celebrating 70 years of possibilities, an occasion Warwick’s very own branch has pulled out all the stops to commemorate.
Endeavour Foundation is a ‘people organisation’ that supports more than 4000 people in Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria.
One of its key initiatives is to increase independence in the daily lives of people with an intellectual disability, and it achieves this through its Learning and Lifestyle centres.
Site manager of both the Warwick and Stanthorpe Learning and Lifestyle centres Penny Mann said Endeavour offers a range of programs designed to make possibilities a reality.
These include, but are not limited to, programs that focus on healthy eating and exercise, money and budgeting, numeracy and literacy, gardening and cooking, science and arts and crafts.
“Endeavour is at the forefront of technology because we have a Virtual Reality system and robotics,” Penny said.
“People can use (those tools) to learn how to do a barista course and get a forklift licence.”
15 people currently attend the Warwick Learning and Lifestyle centre and seven people attend the Stanthorpe Learning and Lifestyle centre.
In celebration of the momentous 70 year milestone, the Warwick Learning and Lifestyle centre has held a week-long party with dancing, cupcake making, a battle of the bands, and plenty of pizza.
For more information about the Southern Downs and Granite Belt’s Learning and Lifestyle centres, call 1800 112 112, or visit the Warwick centre at 1 Tooth Street and the Stanthorpe centre at 26 High Street.
