By Natalee Kerr
A new therapy centre for teenagers and young adults with disabilities opened in Geelong this week.
Run by not-for-profit disability provider Scope, the centre supports people with autism, developmental delays, intellectual and physical disabilities.
Grovedale’s Sally Felstead has been receiving support from Scope since 2014.
The now 20-year-old is “looking forward” to using the new centre, her mother Heather told the Independent.
“She is pretty excited about getting involved,” Heather said.
“I think it will be very good for her to learn independent living and social skills.”
Staffed by 10 specialists, the centre provides a range of services including speech therapy, occupational therapy and physiotherapy.
Designed like a home, the space includes a kitchen, dining room, living space and garden.
Heather said the facility is a “real asset” to the community and will help Sally achieve her goals of obtaining full-time employment.
“There’s nothing else like this set up in this way – it’s different to other centre’s,” she said.
“It has got a very homely environment. I felt warmth, I felt at home in there.
“I think it will help a lot of young adults.”
Scope therapy team leader Marie Byrne said the centre provides a new opportunity to meet client’s needs.
“We have a lot of people with disabilities who want to work on their goals, but families were saying to us there wasn’t a lot out there specifically for teenagers and young adults,” she said.
“This centre hopes to cater for that demand.”
The centre is open from Monday to Friday at 11 Sommers St, Belmont.
Natalee Kerr
