Building new skills to support independence

Bec, a Montrose customer for 9 years loves musicals, creating crafts and spending time with her family and friends.
Bec’s main goal at the moment is to build skills to become more independent. To support this she attends Montrose’s Life Skills service where she attends a cooking skills program and an entrepreneurial skills program.

Life Skills is a skill development program for young adults with disability aged 16+. Through a diverse range of fun and educational activities, participants learn how to express their opinions, make decisions, and respect others, while building confidence and self-esteem.

Learning new skills

In the cooking skills program Bec is learning to pick recipes, practice grocery shopping and is developing her culinary skills such as knife skills, and taste testing. She is well on her way to becoming a pro chef!

Bec says, “I like that I am able to go to the shops with my support worker in the program because it helps me gain confidence to be able to order things from the butcher and deli. I can practice shopping so eventually I’ll be able to do it much more independently.”

“I am on a mealtime management plan because I have cerebral palsy. So, when we pick the items we are cooking each week my support workers and service coordinator make sure the recipes we choose are swallowing friendly.”

Building her own business

Montrose recently introduced an entrepreneurial skills program within the Life Skills service specially to support Bec’s goal of creating her own business. With Montrose’s support Bec has launched her own business called “Savage Queen” which sells beautiful, handmade candles and jewellery. Bec sells her handmade creations at local markets and has big plans to expand.

“We supported Bec to develop a business plan and every week we discuss a different part of the plan. Next up is supporting Bec to develop a website to sell her products and setting up her social media accounts to promote her products. Part of this is also learning about safe internet usage” says Luka, Bec’s service coordinator.

What’s next for Bec?

Bec hopes to use the money from her business to support her future goal of moving out of home.

Related content:

Northcott’s Everyday Life Skills program supports customers to develop independence and daily routines. Read how participant Kylie gained independence in the kitchen.