Disability support provider eyes third house after a year in Bendigo

It was one of the ideas flagged as Distinctive Options celebrated its first full year of service in Bendigo.

Jarrod Stephens has been a client with the group since October 2016. He had previously been with Radius Disability Services until it went into voluntary administration.

He MC’d proceedings as Distinctive Options celebrated its first year at a function at the Star Cinema.

“The best thing about Distinctive Options is being involved in the community in a way where everyone gets a fair go,” he said.

Among other activities this year, he was part of a team of clients who helped locate and select a second property to base operations at. He was also member of a group which shaped upcoming activities.

This year clients also hosted a weekly Phoenix FM radio program and prepared parcels for Food Bank, among other activities.

Related: New options for people with disability in Bendigo as service provider moves in

The Bendigo service had about 60 clients across two programs and offered something other local groups might not deliver, according to CEO Ernie Metcalf.

“It’s the people in our (two Bendigo) houses who determine what we are going to do and when they are going to do it,” he said.

Mr Metcalf said that was in contrast to other types of services like day centres.

“In a day centre you get a roster of things you can do and then you pick and choose what you want,” he said.

“I think the old day service model where people get support Monday to Friday with school-type hours, that’s a ridiculous concept in this day and age.

“An adult should be able to jump on a train with a support worker and go to the footy or the cricket, or a concert.”

Mr Metcalf said the day care model was still “unfortunately” part of the disability support sector.

“There’s another good, progressive service in Bendigo that has gone away from day centres but traditionally across Victoria, and probably Australia, it’s still entrenched,” he said.

“That’s because you can probably get more value for your dollar with those sorts of services.”