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What are leisure and lifestyle services?
Support to connect with new people in your community.
Everyone connects in different ways. One thing’s for sure though, we can all enjoy the experience of meeting new people who have similar stories or experiences to our own.
By finding and getting involved with different leisure and lifestyle activities in the community, based on your interests, what you’re comfortable with, and where you live, you can explore the world and connect with new people.
At Guide Dogs we can support you to access activities through:
- Working with you to develop strategies so you can independently access activities in the community
- Identifying techniques or Assistive Technology to increase your independence in performing the activity
- Guide Dogs social and activity groups
What programs and activities are currently available?
Six classes to choose from
These six very different classes offer you the chance to either try something new, build on existing abilities or develop skills that make you feel safer in your community.
- Self-Defence
- Clay Making
- Yoga
- Wood carving
- Mosaic
- Cooking
Strength and balance classes
Build strength and improve balance.
Looking for some low intensity exercise to support improved balance, strength, and mobility for greater functionality in day-to-day life? Join our strength and balance class! The class will be taught by an accredited exercise physiologist and will give participants two clinical assessment sessions to build a tailored plan based on your abilities.
Classes begin in term three, and will be held on Fridays at 12.30pm-2.30pm at the Guide Dogs Bald Hills campus.
If you would like to come along to the next class or wish to learn more about our other Leisure and Lifestyle programs call our friendly team on (07) 3500 9060 or email clients@guidedogsqld.com.au.
Self-Defence
Build confidence and improve fitness.
Back by popular demand, the self-defence class aims to build your skills in order to feel safer while out in the community. The class is a friendly and safe space for learning in a social and fun environment.
This group-based activities will expose participants to a range of exercises aimed to equip them with the means of their own protection, in addition to improving their overall health and fitness in the context of their low vision or blindess, while promoting life skills, increased confidence, and independence.
Classes are held on Mondays at 9.30am at the Guide Dogs Bald Hills campus.
If you would like to come along to the next class or wish to learn more about our other Leisure and Lifestyle programs call our friendly team on (07) 3500 9060 or email clients@guidedogsqld.com.au.
Clay Sculpture Program
Express yourself with creativity.
Explore your creative side in a supportive and relaxed environment. Clay work is extremely tactile and allows you to use visual memory and self-expression to create beautiful pieces of art.
The benefits:
The clay program is structured to cater for people of all abilities and includes a range of physical, social and mental benefits. These include:
- Promoting dexterity and improving fine and gross motor skills
- Encouraging positive mental health
- Creating ornamental and practical pieces
Classes are on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9am to 12pm. To sign up or find out more about pricing and NDIS coverage, please contact our team on (07) 3500 9060 or email clients@guidedogsqld.com.au.
Yoga Program
Stretch out of your comfort zone… and into mindfulness.
In the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it can be difficult to find time to slow down and carve out time for yourself. The yoga program is designed to give you an outlet where you can take the time to relax, refresh and refocus.
The benefits:
Yoga is known to have a variety of benefits – both physical and mental. Some of these benefits include:
- Increased flexibility
- Increased muscle strength and tone
- Improved respiration, energy and vitality
- Reduces stress and tension
- Eases back pain, headaches and other physical discomfort
- Beneficial for cardio and circulatory health
Classes are held every Wednesday from 12.30pm to 2.30pm. To sign up or find out more about pricing and NDIS coverage, please contact our team on (07) 3500 9060 or email clients@guidedogsqld.com.au.
Wood Carving Program
Create something with wood carving
The Wood Carving program will be delivered over a ten-week block and offered onsite at Guide Dogs Qld, Bald Hills. This program is designed for participants to learn techniques that will allow them to create functional and decorative hand carved timber items.
The benefits:
- Strengthening dexterity
- Strengthening fine motor skills
- Encouraging sensory integration
- Stimulating visual memory
- Allowing mindfulness to help relieve tension and stress
- Providing a space for socialisation and inclusion
- Enhancing confidence
Our wood carving classes are held every Tuesday from 12.30pm. To sign up or find out more about pricing and NDIS coverage, please contact our team on (07) 3500 9060 or email clients@guidedogsqld.com.au.
Mosaics Program
Build something beautiful with mosaics
The Mosaics program will be delivered over a ten-week block and offered onsite at Guide Dogs Qld, Bald Hills. This program is designed for participants to learn techniques that will allow them to create functional and decorative mosaic items.
The benefits:
- Strengthening dexterity
- Strengthening fine motor skills
- Working on gross motor skills
- Encouraging sensory integration
- Stimulating visual memory
- Encouraging personal and creative expression
- Providing a space for socialisation and inclusion
Mosaic classes will be held every Friday from 10am to 12pm. To sign up or find out more about pricing and NDIS coverage, please contact our team on (07) 3500 9060 or email clients@guidedogsqld.com.au.
Cooking Program
Challenge yourself in the kitchen.
Have you always wanted to be a whiz in the kitchen? Run by an Occupational Therapist, our new cooking sessions will be held onsite at Bald Hills with limited spaces per session. Each class block is four weeks long and will focus on developing the skills to cook confidently in your own kitchen and home.
The benefits:
- Expert advice from an Occupational Therapist
- Positive social interactions
- Building new skills or building on current skills
- Learn the latest adaptive technologies
Currently, our cooking classes are not in session. To express your interest in the next round of cooking classes, please contact our team on (07) 3500 9060 or email clients@guidedogsqld.com.au.
"I don’t feel helpless anymore. I used to think that I couldn’t do it, but now I know that even if I can’t, I can just learn how."
Accessing leisure and lifestyle programs
The leisure and lifestyle programs take place over 10 week blocks with one class per week.
There are multiple blocks running throughout the year, depending on application numbers, so make sure to contact our team and find a block that works best for you.
Our team will also be able to provide you with an indicative NDIS cost for each program.
If you do not have an NDIS plan but would like to apply for the program, please still contact our team and they will be able to talk through your options with you.
Please contact our team on (07) 3500 9060 or email clients@guidedogsqld.com.au.
Together, we can empower you to live the life you want to.
Access other services:
Looking for something else? All our services can be accessed on their own or in conjunction with more of our programs.
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