I-PaLS the foundation to independence for Wimmera participants

The Horsham based Pathways and Life Skills (I-PaLS) program will not run in the second half of the year, but that's the point of launching such a program, program officer Lisa Arnfield said.

One participant's mother was in tears at the final session on Wednesday, June 23, held at the Horsham Neighbourhood House.

Barely able to hold in her sheer pride at how her son has grown.

IN OTHER NEWS:

This is just one parent, out of the many to reported back a "huge difference" in their child.

Kylie Miller said the transformation of her son, Kyle, was something she didn't think possible.

"It was a reason to get up in the morning," she said.

"He is a completely changed person, they all are.

"None of them want it to end."

Ms Miller said if it weren't for the program, she wouldn't know where he would be now. Her son wouldn't come out of his room before the program.

"His very first day he was that comfortable, he told me he didn't want me to go with him and he wanted to do it on his own," she said.

"I walked home crying happy tears."

Kyle is one of the "phenomenal outcomes." He went staying in his room, to taking independent action, even gaining part-time employment.

Ms Miller said programs like this are vital.

"One of these days I'm not going to be here or I could be in a position where I can't look after Kyle anymore," she said.

"To know that he has some skills to one day go out and do things on his own."

Out of the participants, two have moved onto part-time work, another had work experience at the Royal Mail.

Ms Lisa Arnfield said the outcomes from the six month program have been "phenomenal."

"I've got a waiting list of referrals where additional people have now found out about the program and want to be part of the program," she said.

This included organisations who went from "too hard" to "sign us up" with continuing the program.

Ms Arnfield said the funding for the program needs to delivered to 11 LGAs and the GdA need to abide by funding requirements.

"We can't just deliver in one spot continuously, but this doesn't mean we can't deliver in Horsham again," she said.

"For the second half of this year we need to cover other spots."

READ MORE: Grampians disAbility Advocacy's I-PaLS program to launch a second semester

However, the participants from the Horsham I-PaLS have taken it upon themselves to continue to program independently, which is the exact reason for the program, Ms Arnfield said.

With support from the Horsham Neighbourhood House the HPALS will continue to meet fortnightly.

"IPaLS doesn't come to an end, IPaLS continues just differently," Ms Arnfield said.

"We do the foundations, those initial steps. The participants can take that step towards independence and continue to grow."

Ms Arnfield said anyone can join the group, and still be a part of the 2022 Horsham I-PaLS.

The HPALS group will continue with arts, crafts, online learning and link in to the community.

In another exciting outcome, the Hopetoun group will work with the Hopetoun Neighbourhood House and Hoeptoun Men's Shed to gain more skills.

"They'll learning welding, they'll learn mental turning and computers and other independent programs," Ms Arnfield said.

"It's that pathway to independence."

Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content: