Grant helps Compass trainees plot course to independence ...

Compass trainees Abbey Hargraves and Chris Wilson fetch a snack from the new fridge. 

In April this year, the Compass Institute opened its doors to a new Campus at C-Square in the heart of Nambour.

They had outgrown their Palmwoods facility and sought a new location that could offer more space, better facilities, a central location with easy access to the community, shopping precincts and public transport. Overall this would provide more opportunities for their trainees.

Recently, the new centre received a $2000 grant from the Sunshine Coast Council Minor Grants program to help install essential equipment.

The equipment will be used for the type of on-going skills training that the Institute is well known for.

Compass Institute provides further education, skills-based training and vocational pathways to people with intellectual and physical disabilities across multiple campuses and social enterprises from Caboolture through to Gympie.

Thanks to the grant the Nambour Campus was able to purchase the equipment they needed to fit out a fully functional kitchen.

It includes specialty safety cooking equipment, that allows trainees to cook and prepare their own lunches. 

“This is part of the on-going skills-based training that is at the heart of what Compass does,” said Nambour Campus Team Leader Kylie Grover.

“Having the proper equipment makes a huge difference to our day program and the skills we are able to teach and practice on a daily basis. We had a blank canvas and thanks to this grant, we now have some of the key equipment we need to assist these young people to become more independent.”

The Nambour Campus currently has 20 Trainees that attend Compass each week, who will benefit from this new equipment.

Meanwhile, Cr David Law, left, pictured with David Dangerfield, was on hand to help officially open Compass’s latest venture, Wabi Sabi Creations in Nambour last month. As covered in the last Gazette, the brand new retail store in the heart of town at C-Square, sells items hand-crafted by people with disabilities. “It makes perfect sense for Wabi Sabi Creations to choose Nambour because our town is known for its diverse community where everyone belongs,” said Cr Law. You will find the new Wabi Sabi Creations store at C-Square, 52-64 Currie St, Nambour. To find out more about Compass, visit their website at www.compassinc.org.au or contact Head Office via (07) 5445 9116.