We encourage you to take control of your life and live more independently by supporting you to develop skills for life.
We continue to be amazed at the growth and development of participants within the Distinctive Options community. Our goal is to support your goals, by always working alongside you and your personal supporters to see you succeed.
Home Skills
The Cooking and Home Skills participants meet for a morning of tending to the community garden beds, cooking a meal and practicing tasks such as writing a shopping list, buying ingredients, setting the table, washing dishes and sweeping the floor. They recently harvested a bunch of potatoes which were sold to staff and participants.
Volunteering
Volunteer opportunities exist in areas such as animal welfare, radio broadcasting, retail, food services and gardening.
Supported Employment
We offer supported employment within our three Australian Diverse Ability enterprises, DO Honey, a Beekeeping business, the DO Food Project Cafe, and the Goodwill Gardener. We also provide a Pathways program with other employment opportunities in horticulture, trade services and deliveries. Our Pathways program will set you on the path to future employment in an area of your choosing.
Travel Training
Obtaining the skills and confidence towards being independent within the community like catching public transport and getting from A-B can be daunting. Where do you begin?
Our team at Distinctive Options will support you with increasing your independence through public transport training by facilitating programs that help you to learn public transports routes and community transport options. You’ll be off and travelling in no time.
Gardening
From little things, big things grow, you’ll be able to tend to our garden and make it your own. You’ll enjoy the aromas, tastes and textures of the food and herbs that you grow, whilst learning important horticultural skills.
Sustainable Art
Become involved in the planning and process of converting recycled materials into new and sustainable art projects. Here’s where you can express yourself creatively and make something unique in a fun environment, while reducing landfill and promoting sustainability.
Men's Group
Men’s group provides a safe space for individuals to express and be educated around personal issues, health, appearance-inclusive of grooming, relationships, hygiene, communication, the body/anatomy, health services and human relations.
Literacy & Numeracy
Reading from a variety of texts, pictures, film and music, writing, speaking, listening and numeracy activities, underpinned by the set of eight VCAL employability skills (planning and organising, problem solving, teamwork, communication, learning, self-awareness, IT, initiative) and Language Experience Approach. Reinforcement of small group, with cooperative learning skills to implement teamwork, communication and social skills practice.
Personal Care
Promoting a sense of high-self-esteem and self-confidence though personal care and grooming practices. Feel good about yourself and your body.
Ladies Only
Ladies only provides a safe space for women to express and be educated around personal issues, health, appearance-inclusive of grooming, relationships, hygiene, communication, the body/anatomy, health services and human relations.
Maintenance
Our facilitated maintenance program ensures participants develop maintenance skills in a safe and sustainable way. We learn to identify Safety and Sign identification, Hazards identification, Product identification and usage, Environmentally friendly options, Equipment identification and usage. We also build Vocational development skills such as cleaning tables and windows, sweeping, Home skills, Shopping, Garden maintenance, Money handling, Product control, Tip and recycle runs. Be safe and maintain your independence by managing risk ands hazards in your environment.