Think BIG Trivia Fundraiser

The SPACE Think BIG Trivia Night was a roaring success with over 260 people attending the Bronco's Leagues Club to participate in the fun and excitement of the fundraising event. Thank you to all who attended, we at SPACE were overwhelmed by your generous support and spirit. 

BIG Night Out Calendar Launch

The year is coming to an end which means 2009 is on the way. The BIG Night Out will be launching it's 2009 Calendar on Thursday the 4th of December between 6 and 7:30pm. Come along to SPACE for a wine and cheese night and view an art gallery of BIG Night Out photographs. Support this very important and exciting program by attending the launch and purchasing the 2009 BIG Night Out Calendar!

Fundraising Campaign

The Open Day has been and gone, however, SPACE is only just getting started. Stay tuned for dates and details for our upcoming fundraising campaign. Lets keep the momentum alive and make SPACE a reality. 

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How it began PDF Print E-mail

SPACE was inspired by and created for the disabled community of Brisbane with an emphasis upon education of difference through exposure and experience of the wider public in programs and activities held at the centre.  

The non-profit disability sector is characterised by organisations that focus on the needs of a specific disability segment or the offering of specialised services.   Such organisations aim to support the needs of niche groups such as intellectual or vision impairment and offer services that support people with a disability in a particular task such as sport programs, employment or educational assistance.

To date, established non-profit organisations rarely cater for the encompassing needs of people with a disability in a community centre, while encouraging the integration of all members of the community.  SPACE will serve to meet the needs of people with a disability, working towards ensuring a greater quality of life through the localisation of services and integration of all members of the community.    

From the very beginning of her career, Registered Music Therapist Alissa Phillips identified a lack of social opportunities available for her clients to interact with their peers outside of traditional institutions such as schools, therapy or rehabilitative services. Alissa worked amongst intellectual impairment, speech language impairment, cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, Multiple Sclerosis, Down syndrome, pervasive developmental disorder, acquired brain injury, Autism and Asperger’s syndrome; all inclusive of careers, parents, teachers and accompanying allied health professionals. Throughout all subgroups the one strand of similarity seemed to be a desire to participate in regular, dynamic and meaningful social activities whilst still maintaining necessary rehabilitative therapy program.  

In response Alissa created B.E.A.T. and the Big Night Out, two music therapy programs which allow people with special needs access to regular and dynamic peer appropriate activities whilst still remaining focused on therapeutic goals and outcomes. As acknowledgement of these two outstanding programs Alissa received the ‘2007 Lord Mayors Youth Citizen of the Year’ Award. The public interest generated through winning the award persuaded Alissa to extend her work in the community and work towards creating a centre that catered for her clients therapy needs as well as providing opportunities for social interaction with their peers.

SPACE evolved rapidly as a team of supporters and willing volunteers emerged from within the local and surrounding communities. Health practitioners, corporate sponsors, families and friends of clients and associated community groups, council members and students until…

The concept known as Specialised Programs and Community Endeavours (aka ‘SPACE’) was formalised in October 2007 by the registration of a not-for-profit company Specialised Programs and Community Endeavours Ltd.  SPACE will be a clinic for allied health professionals; a space for community projects and programs; and a weekend retreat for planned and supported recreational activities. Those who manage the facility or visit SPACE will value diversity, aim to empower, and ensure the personal safely and well being of others.

One of the keys to success of a community centre like SPACE is the localisation of services.  Once the initial centre, Kenmore SPACE, is self-sustaining it is envisaged that the SPACE concept will be replicated at another site within the greater Brisbane so that we might reach those who are unable to reach us.    

 
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