IES

Here’s a little snapshot of what we’ve been up to in the kitchen lately 👀🍳

Every Tuesday and Friday, our Brooklane kitchen comes to life.

It’s not just about cooking… it’s about building confidence, learning real-life skills, and creating a space where people can try new things and grow 🌱

There’s always a few laughs, a bit of chaos, and a whole lot of proud moments 🙌

📢 Confession: we’ve been so busy doing the work, we forgot to tell the internet about it....

But yes - we’re still here👋. And a lot has been happening.

Over the past few weeks we’ve:

⛱️ Taken our Short Term Respite program to Scarborough. Skills built. Confidence stretched. Big smiles all round.

🎢 Headed to Outback Splash, tried archery, danced, and continued building everyday independence at our Brooklane SkillsHUB.

🍳 Our cooking and nutrition sessions are a weekly highlight - building confidence, strengthening skills, and seeing our resident “masterchefs” whip up seriously delicious dishes.

👩‍🍳 We’ve also launched new 1:1 kitchen mentoring sessions for participants wanting to level up their independence and work on more intensive skill development.

🚀 Celebrated incredible milestones, including Alyssa taking independent steps after building strength and confidence using her walker. That’s what consistent support and belief in potential can look like- and we couldn't be more proud of her!

This is how we do support differently - building confidence, capability and real possibility.

We’re incredibly grateful to the partners who help make this possible.

💚 Thank you to:
Department of Communities
Retravision Retravision
IGA Ellenbrook
Ben Heptinstall

Your continued support helps us keep building real impact.

If you’ve been thinking about getting involved -whether through workshops, outings, respite, skill building or volunteering- lets connect!

🚐 Did you know?

Every Tuesday the Foodbank Mobile Van stops at Brooklane, right across from our hub.

We ran into Amanda, Team Leader, and Rachel from the Nutrition Team today while they were out supporting the community. It is always good to see practical help where it is needed.

Let’s be honest. A lot of people are doing it tough right now.

If you need a bit of support with groceries, there is no judgement here. Just access.

We are proud to be a registered community referral provider for Foodbank WA and can assist eligible community members to connect with food support.

🗓 Mobile Foodbank Van (Tuesdays)
⏰ 10:45am to approximately 11.15am
📍 Brooklane Shopping Complex, across from our hub

Available items may include:
• Fresh fruit and vegetables
• Pantry staples
• Pre packaged meals
• Free and low cost options

If you would like more information about accessing support, reach out privately or drop into our Brooklane hub, and our friendly team will guide you through the process.

If you are in a position to give, please support Foodbank WA’s critical work here: https://www.foodbank.org.au/wa/want-to-help/make-a-donation/

✨ What a year it’s been and what a community!

We hope everyone has had a wonderful Christmas Day 🎄✨

As the year wraps up, we want to say a big thank you. This year brought challenges and proud moments alike, and reminded us how powerful care, connection, and community really are. We’ve seen confidence grow 🌱, independence build 💪, and families supported with genuine care.

This is support done differently 💚
Showing up, building skills, and walking alongside people toward their goals.

To our participants, families, staff, volunteers, and community partners, thank you for your trust, resilience, and heart 🙌✨

As we head into 2026, we do so with fresh focus, renewed energy, and excitement for what’s ahead 🚀.

🎄 Holiday Opening Hours
• Closed Friday 26 December
• Reopening Monday 29th
• Closed Thursday 1st & Friday 2nd January

Wishing everyone a safe, restful, and joyful holiday season ☀️

A special thank you to our team, volunteers, and community partners IGA Ellenbrook, Retravision Retravision for helping us celebrate Christmas and end of year at the hub with good food, and even better company 💚.

♿️Yesterday was International Day of People with Disabilities, and we’ve been reflecting on how privileged we are to do the work we do every day.

Disability is part of being human.
One in five Australians live with disability, and almost all of us will experience some form of impairment at some point in our lives- it could be through ourselves, a loved one, a friend or a colleague. This isn’t someone else’s story. It’s all of ours.

Over the past few months at IES, we’ve witnessed so many real and powerful moments. New friendships forming. Quiet wins that make someone smile a little bigger. Breakthroughs that shift what a person believes they can do. Our team showing up with heart. Our community stepping in to make things special. There have also been challenges, and we stand with our participants and families through those just as much as the wins.

Here are some of our favourite snapshots from the last few months. They show what can happen when people feel safe, included, connected, and supported to grow in their own way and at their own pace.

A special shoutout to our community impact partners Retravision Retravision Ellenbrook and IGA Ellenbrook for their ongoing support and for helping us create meaningful moments for our community. We can't wait to highlight what difference their support is making in the coming weeks.

To every participant, family member, carer, volunteer and ally:
We’re here to walk beside you every day and support you to grow in the ways that matter to you.

Thank you for being part of our community. We’re genuinely grateful for every moment we share!

🎣 Who’s keen to join us for a day out with Fishability?! 🐟

This month, we’re joining our friends at Fishability for an accessible fishing adventure — and we want to know who’s interested! 🌊

Whether you’re a seasoned angler or just want to try something new, Fishability is all about fun, connection, and fresh air by the water. 🪣☀️

To express your interest or learn more about our upcoming group outings and events, contact our friendly team on (08) 6297 0737 today.

We’ll chat with you about your goals, funding, and how you can get involved! 😄

Images: Mikael and Lachy out for a day of sunshine and catching fish with Adonis and Fishability!

💜 National Carers Week 2025 - This Sunday 12 – Saturday 18 October

In the leadup to this years Carers WA National Carers Week, we’re celebrating our quiet heroes — carers. 🌻

In homes, hospitals, schools and communities right across Australia, over 3 million people provide care and support to a loved one living with disability, illness or age-related needs.

This year’s theme says it all:
👉 “You are one, know one, or will be one.”

Because disability and caring can touch any of us — at any time. 💫 Life can change in a moment, and it’s the strength, love and resilience of carers that help people adapt, rebuild and keep going.

At IES, we see carers every day — the parents, siblings, partners, friends and neighbours who give their time, energy and heart to help others thrive. 💪 They are the heartbeat of our community and the backbone of the care sector.

Whether you do it full-time, part-time, or just step in when someone needs you — you make a world of difference.

If you’re a carer, please remember:
🌿 You deserve care too.
💬 Reach out, connect, and take a moment for yourself.
❤️ We see you. We appreciate you.

📣 Need support?
Check out Carer Gateway https://www.carergateway.gov.au/
— a free Australia-wide service connecting carers with practical help, counselling, respite options and local resources.

✨ Heaps of exciting events are happening across WA for Carers Week. Explore what’s on near you: carerswa.asn.au/carers-week

🌙 And don’t miss the Carers WA Wellness Evening
— a beautiful night of connection, relaxation and self-care for carers in our community. https://www.carerswa.asn.au/events/city-of-vincent-25/

Carers Week - Carers Wellness Evening (Hosted by City of Vincent) Join the City of Vincent for a calming evening of health and mindfulness at the Carers Wellness Evening Event. This

🌟 What’s On @ The Hub this Week! 🌟

We’ve got a fun-filled week ahead at the IES Hub — packed with creativity, connection, and a few spooky surprises as we get ready for Halloween! 👻🎃

🧵 Monday: Create & Connect – Sewing Club
Join us for a relaxing morning making towel holders and sharing morning tea together.
🕥 10.30am – 1.30pm

🕷️ Tuesday: MasterChef Cooking Challenge
Things are getting spooky in the kitchen — we’re baking cobweb cookies that are as fun to make as they are to eat!
🕥 10.30am – 1.30pm

🎨 Wednesday: Open Hub
Drop in for arts & crafts, PS5, or board games with your Support Worker — a great midweek social day.
🕙 10am – 2pm

💐 Thursday: Create & Connect – Beautiful Blooms
Let’s craft stunning paper flower bouquets to brighten your space (and your day!).
🕥 10.30am – 1.30pm

💅 Friday: Fashion Forward + Masterchef - Chicken Enchiladas!
Something for everyone on a Friday @ The Hub
🕥 10.30am – 1.30pm

📞 Spaces are limited — call 08 6297 0737 to book your spot!



Proudly Supported by Community Impact Partners Retravision Retravision IGA Ellenbrook

🌿We’re excited to share that we’re starting a brand-new community project! 🌱

Together, we’ll be painting planters and potting plants to brighten up our hub!

If you have any cuttings, plants, soil, or bright paints looking for a new home, we’d love to give them purpose in this project. Every contribution helps us bring more colour and life into our shared space.

This isn’t just about pots and paint — it’s about:

✨ Creativity & expression – adding personal touches to make our hub unique
✨ Inclusion & connection – a chance to meet new people and work together
✨ Wellbeing & pride – seeing our space transform and feeling part of it
✨ Sustainability & growth – planters that keep giving back with herbs, flowers and greenery

Even more exciting, this project will kick-start a partnership with Verdant Vista Community Garden of Ellenbrook where we’ll be getting our hands dirty, learning to grow fruit, veggies and herbs, and exploring the benefits of gardening for mental health and wellbeing and sharing our journey along the way. 🌞🌿🥕

💡 And the best part? The Community Garden are offering FREE membership until June 2026.

Today we were excited to met with Steve, Chairperson of the Garden, for a tour, and to learn more about the benefits of community gardening. We will be sharing more very soon.

👋Want to be part of something creative, colourful and community-driven?

Donate supplies, share some cuttings, or sign up to help us paint and plant! 💚

🌿 Weekend Respite Adventures with Lachy 🌿

This weekend, Lachy joined us for respite and had an amazing time exploring John Forrest National Park.

He took part in a fun scavenger hunt, spotted birds and beautiful wildflowers, and enjoyed a calming nature walk surrounded by the sounds and sights of the bush. Spring has sprung!

Check out these photos from his adventure with his skills mentor Ian - fresh air and time in nature are good for both the body and the mind.

👋Looking for a break that balances support, independence, and fun?

Our respite program creates opportunities for participants to build confidence, relax, and enjoy new experiences — while families have peace of mind knowing their loved one is supported.

✅ We currently have capacity available for tailored respite programs designed to meet your individual needs.

📅Plus — in November we’re offering a special Swan Valley 2-night group capacity building respite, where we’ll get out and about in nature, practice teamwork, and build new skills together.

To express your interest, get in touch today.

📍 Want to know more about our tailored respite program or services? Contact our team at [email protected]
or call us on 08 6297 0737.

🌟 Wins Highlight: Alyssa’s Amazing Progress! 🌟

This month we’re celebrating Alyssa and her incredible journey — with a huge shoutout to her Skills Mentors Viola and Mandeep, and the whole care team, for walking alongside her every step of the way.

When Alyssa left high school, she was using a wheelchair. Over the past two years, with the support, encouragement, and determination of her team, Alyssa has built her independence and confidence in huge ways.

💚She is now walking proudly with her walker
💚She can push a trolley at the shops
💚She’s gone from walking with assistance to zooming down the Hub with her walker
💚And she’s just graduated to her walker red P plates! 🚗🎉

On top of all this, Alyssa continues to shine as the social butterfly of the Hub, bringing joy and connection wherever she goes.

Her relationship with Viola has been something truly special — built on trust, encouragement, and plenty of laughter. Together with Mandeep and the wider care team, it’s been the perfect recipe for success.

We couldn’t be more proud of Alyssa’s progress, the goals she’s kicking, and our incredible team making it possible. We can’t wait to watch Alyssa continue to grow and smash her goals!

👏 Congratulations Alyssa — and thank you to Viola, Mandeep, and the entire care team for showing the power of .

👉 If you, a loved one, or someone you know are looking for the right supports, we have current capacity for 1:1 support services and specialist programs.

📞 Get in touch today on 08 6297 0737 or find out more at myies.org.au