year in review
2020-21 saw Therapy Focus continue its commitment to celebrating success, fostering the next generation of therapists, and most importantly, delivering tailored therapy services to those most in need.
Last September, Therapy Focus staff and guests came together at Optus Stadium to celebrate the new-look Therapy Focus and the dedication shown by staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The masquerade-themed event saw the presentation of our annual awards, including our People’s Choice Award, which was won by Advanced Occupational Therapist, Melissa Athanassiou – pictured above with nominating customer, Kayla Barker.
Therapy Focus Advanced Occupational Therapist and Team Leader, Kelsie Davis, made the 1500km journey to the remote town of Warburton to complete home modifications and functional assessments for residents.
Kelsie was accompanied by Jane Clark-Munn who is the Disability Services Manager for Ngaanyatjarra Health Services and coordinates services in the region.
In November 2020, our Team Leaders came together to talk about budgeting, scheduling, and the Strategic Plan for the next three years.
After an insightful morning of discussions it was time for a team building activity that saw groups take part in a mystery box cooking challenge. With help from the team at Taste Budds, groups had to create as many dishes as they could from a mystery box of food provided by food rescue charity, SecondBite. After tasting the dishes, the remaining food was packed for donation to Uniting WA’s Tranby Homeless Centre.
In February 2021, Therapy Focus was proud to support the next generation of allied health clinicians by sponsoring and presenting awards at Curtin University’s School of Allied Health Student Excellence Awards.
Student placement coordinators Joshua Panelo and Lucie Abadie attended the ceremonies and presented three very deserving students with their awards.
Meet Emma Henson; the fundraising queen who has taken it upon herself to generously raise funds for Therapy Focus for the past year. Emma’s connection to Therapy Focus began when, nearly 17 years ago, her younger brother Ben started receiving speech pathology services. Emma’s involvement in pageants, teamed with her innate drive to give back, kick-started her fundraising journey.
Emma raised $1,400 for Therapy Focus, which will help provide specialised equipment, activities and other supports that are inelgible for Government funding.
On 8 March 2021, Therapy Focus staff and guests came together at picturesque COAST Port Beach to celebrate International Women’s Day.
Our #ChooseToChallenge Sundowner honoured the theme of this year’s event, championing the achievements of women and encouraging attendees to challenge gender bias and inequality.
Guest speakers included AFL Executive and South Australian of the Year, Tanya Hosch, and author of Mercenary Mum, Neryl Joyce, who shared their inspirational stories as women forging a path for others in their respective careers.
On Friday 26 March 2021, a group of staff attended the 2020 Telethon Beneficiary Breakfast on behalf of Therapy Focus and the children and families we support.
The event saw 65 community groups and service providers come together to be acknowledged as Telethon beneficiaries.
Therapy Focus was awarded a grant to provide access to specialised assistive technology through a transitional rehabilitation program that supports community inclusion and participation of children and young people with disabilities.
Therapy Focus and Access Plus WA Deaf have joined forces to better support the Deaf and Hard of Hearing (HoH) community.
Access Plus provide Auslan interpreting, training and support services for people who are Deaf and HoH, while Therapy Focus offers comprehensive therapy services for people living with disability.
The two organisations have been able to provide customers like Jason with improved technology to make his day-to-day life safer.
Our Tele-Transition Program strives to empower young adults aged 15-35 who are neurodiverse or have mild intellectual disability to increase their independence and develop life skills.
Originally delivered by Curtin University as part of a research project, Therapy Focus started offering an online version of the program which can be accessed with NDIS funding or purchased privately.
Pictured: Sophie interacting with Ollie, therapy dog in the making.
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