Balance Services

Balance Services

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Balance Services

Post School Option For Young Adults

Balance Services supports young adults, particularly school leavers, to discover their interests and skills. We believe that by making a range of experiences available, the young adults are better placed to make choices about what they want to do in their week and when. We provide varied recreational & sporting activities, employment and volunteering opportunities, camps and holidays, learning & life skill experiences, while building strong connections with businesses & community groups. Balance encourages the service users to be actively involved in the planning and development of all activities together with staff and the wider community. Utilising the principles of Person Centred Planning, staff work with the young adults, families and friends to develop a service that responds to the hopes and aspirations of each person.

Balance provides services to young adults across five different sites. Although the service hours are predominantly Monday to Friday 9am to 3pm, we encourage flexibility and regularly offer the choice of activities outside these hours. The young adults, through a planning process, also have the option of using their funding flexibly outside of the Balance group programs.

Balance services are situated in various locations & each provides varied opportunities:

1. Balance Ferntree Gully – 5-7 Yose St Ferntree Gully.
   This service focuses on school leavers in particular, assisting the young adults to discover what they want to do through varied life experiences typical of a person of that age.
2. Community Balance – Shop 1/115 Station St Ferntree Gully
   This is located in the heart of Ferntree Gully directly opposite the Ferntree Gully train station. Being in the hub of a community naturally provides opportunities for people to enjoy the day to day interactions with others, thereby building stronger connections with the township. Gordon P who uses this service said, ‘it’s a place that will try to help you get more opportunities to work and play, both are very important to me.’
3. Network Lilydale- Shop 2/6 Clark St Lilydale
   Network opened in May 2009 and is developing partnerships with business & community groups in the Lilydale area. The site is close to public transport, local businesses and has excellent access to a range of local services in the Shire of Yarra Ranges. Network have started their own business enterprise ‘Jobs on Call’
4. Link Bayswater – 31 Macauley Place Bayswater
   People using Link services are continuing their learning journey while experiencing community life in Bayswater. The young adults in this service are forging connections with local traders and community groups. David M says “Link gives me the chance to interact with friends and make friends as well as getting to know new people. I also get the opportunity to learn new things!”
5. Balance Enterprises: Sylvia St, Ferntree Gully
   Enterprises run a firewood supply, gardening & landscaping business which supports young adults to learn specific work skills in these areas. “It’s a place where you can work & get paid. It’s good, we get work in lots of different places.” In addition the staff at Enterprises aim to provide different experiences in both work and recreational settings to enable participants to discover what they want in life. All products and services produced by Enterprises are available for purchase by the general public. Phone 03 9758 7893 for more information
   

What else happens at Balance Services:

• Flexibility of service
• Individual planning to support people to get the service they want.
• Partnering with Community Houses particularly around arts activities.
• Employment for people using the service.
• Volunteering experiences.
• Options of group based or individualised services.
• Two 3 -4 day holidays available per year. Sometimes more.
• A wide range of exciting, inclusive and innovative activities and programs such as:
  
  • Outdoor/adventure programs
  • Community Kitchen program
  • Basketball competition
  • Remote control car club
  • Photography program
  • Opportunities for developing a range of artistic and creative skills
    
• The Supernaturals, a rock band who perform at various pubs & events.
• Family reference nights
• Advocacy
• Ongoing learning & discovery for all.

for more information on Balance Services download booklet here  
Take a look at what happens on Balance programs  visit the photo gallery

We welcome businesses, community groups & anyone wanting to partner with Balance to provide opportunities for work, volunteering and contribution for people using this service. Invitation is also extended to those who would like to chat about ‘what’s possible.’