ACRS Community Update | September 2026

September at ACRS brought a mix of community outings, family milestones and everyday routines at home that keep participants connected to the people and places that matter most to them. Here is a look at what we have been up to, from haircuts, bike rides and a museum visit with our younger participants to welcoming a new grandchild, creative afternoons across our Supported Independent Living homes in Darwin, and Dementia Awareness Month in Palmerston.

What Life Has Looked Like at ACRS

Out and About with Our Younger Participants

Our younger participants have been out in the community this month, heading to the barber for fresh haircuts, riding bikes around the park after school and spending an afternoon exploring the museum. Back at home the pace slows down, with a book or a game on the couch, and a session on the library computers on the days that call for a change of scene.

For participants, these weeks cover daily living skills, physical health, community access and capacity building as recognised NDIS support needs. The team plans each week around what each young person is working on, so getting ready in the morning, keeping active and learning new things all get their turn, and the plan always follows what each of them enjoys. We find that a steady rhythm of outings and quieter days at home gives young participants the routine and predictability to build independence at their own pace.

Welcoming a New Grandchild

One of our participants recently became a grandmother, and she wanted to be there to welcome the baby into the family. One of our team members went with her to the hospital so she could meet her new grandchild and spend the visit holding the baby. Supporting participants to be present for family milestones is part of how we help maintain the relationships and social networks at the centre of each person’s life, and we were glad to share the day with her.

Painting, Cooking and Gardening at Home

Across our SIL homes, participants have been painting canvases and seashells, getting their nails done with team members, cooking dinner and watering the garden. These activities sit inside each participant’s regular week and cover assistance with daily activities, self care and capacity building as recognised NDIS support needs.

Cooking builds skill and confidence in the kitchen, self care sessions help participants keep up their own routines, and looking after the garden gives everyone a hand in caring for the place they live. We find that the creative and household routines participants choose for themselves are where pride in their home grows.

Dementia Awareness Month at Durack Community Hall

For Dementia Awareness Month, one of our participants spent a Saturday morning at Durack Community Hall at an event hosted by Dementia Alliance Palmerston. The morning focused on raising awareness and reducing stigma around dementia in the Palmerston community. With one of our team members alongside her, she settled in at the craft tables, threaded a string of bright beads and stopped for a cuppa and a sandwich with the other guests.

Local community events like this support social participation and community access in a relaxed, welcoming setting, and attending events run by local groups keeps our team connected with the organisations working alongside participants in Palmerston. Thank you to Dementia Alliance Palmerston for having us.

To discuss a referral, a participant's support needs, or current availability, please contact our team.

📞 (08) 8992 7790 or 0415 691 119
📧 [email protected]
🔗 acrscommunityservices.com.au/referralform