NAB’s Big Serve
NAB's Big Serve at Bedford Big BBQ 2008: Grass-roots projects at Bedford get full approval as one of NAB State Chairman, Richard Hockney's major commitments.
For the third consecutive year, NAB supported Bedford in its efforts to provide greater training and life skills opportunities for people with a disability in South Australia, as principle sponsor of our Big BBQ corporate lunch.
"We manage all of Bedford's banking, but we see the relationship as so much more than that of a banker and client. It is also about recognising our role and responsibility as a business to the community", said Richard Hockney, NAB State Chairman.
"A major part of NAB's community activity is our volunteer programme, where staff members are actively encouraged to volunteer for a charity twice a year. This year 12 NAB staff volunteered at the Big BBQ."
Find out more on (08) 8275 0230 or email bedford-partnerships@bedfordgroup.com.au
Delfin Lend a Helping Hand
Delfin Lend Lease staff got their hands dirty for a good cause when they volunteered for the day at Bedford.
More than 50 employees from the leading developerl offered their support to Bedford at a grass roots level – spending the day landscaping the organisation’s residential facilities and working in the packaging, furniture, hospitality and Day Options areas.
Bedford Chief Executive Max Dyason said the two organisations had built a solid relationship over many years and the volunteer day provided an excellent opportunity to show the Delfin team the heart and soul of Bedford.
“Delfin contracted our horticultural business APG to landscape and maintain the gardens of its Mawson Lakes development 10 years ago – and we’ve been working together ever since,” Mr Dyason said.
“Delfin’s support has meant we are able to employ more people with a disability at APG."
“The Volunteer Day was a much looked forward to occasion for our employees and we looked forward to showcasing the great work we do to one of our valued supporters.”
Find out more on (08) 8275 0230 or emailbedford-partnerships@bedfordgroup.com.au
The Good Guys serve up a plateful of opportunity to the Bedford community
The Good Guys, Edwardstown will serve up a plateful of support towards a new Bedford programme called ‘Let’s Cook’, helping people with a disability learn how to cook and live happy, healthy and independent lives.
The Let’s Cook programme has been developed to address the cooking skills shortage amongst people with a disability. Residents from Balyana, Bedford’s residential site in Clapham, will be taught how to prepare a selection of simple meals by a qualified instructor and encouraged to transfer their learning to their housemates under the supervision of their care worker.
The newly established cause partnership between The Good Guys Edwardstown and Bedford, South Australia’s most diverse provider of employment and training services for people with a disability, coincides with Vince Santaro’s appointment as new store proprietor.
“Our partnership with Bedford will enable the organisation to continue to provide people with a disability with vital opportunities through the ‘Let’s Cook’ programme,” Vince says. “It is important for everyone to have the opportunity to feel self reliance and independence whilst developing new skills.
The ability to cook for yourself and others not only offers increased self esteem and confidence, but also the opportunity for social interaction and sharing amongst housemates.
”Being part of The Good Guys Local Giving programme is really important not only for me but for my team and our customers and to assist in providing training and support to help people with a disability gain the confidence and skills to live independently, will be very satisfying,” Vince says.
Two and a half hour classes will be held over the next year with five Balyana residents set to take part each week. The ultimate goal is to teach all 90 residents to cook at basic through to advanced levels depending on their current skills level.Bedford General Manager, Marketing & Fundraising, Sam Abbott said programmes such as ‘Let’s Cook’ were only made possible thanks to the support of local businesses like The Good Guys.
“Fundraising and corporate support plays an important role in ensuring we can continue to provide people with a disability with employment and access to vital services including recreational and day activities, training and residential services.
“Ongoing support from The Good Guys Edwardstown will be used specifically to fund the ‘Let’s Cook’ programme, which will help 90 people with a disability learn how to be more independent and to have an opportunity to achieve their goals,” Sam said.
“We look forward to working with The Good Guys to form a mutually beneficial partnership that in turn, will help to create a brighter future for people with a disability in South Australia.”
Find out more on (08) 8275 0230 or email
bedford-partnerships@bedfordgroup.com.au
Bedford strikes up timely Adelaide United partnership
Bedford employees and supporters will have the opportunity to get up close and personal with the State’s key football team thanks to a timely partnership between the innovative provider of disability services and Adelaide United FC (AUFC).
As football fever builds in the lead up to the World Cup, the two organisations have announced a partnership which will see the local Champion’s League club help to promote Bedford’s vital work.
Bedford Chief Executive Max Dyason said the partnership was a natural extension of an already prosperous relationship.
“We’ve formed a strong relationship with the reds over the years – most recently, we’ve seen Peter Tsatsaronis, one of our Special Olympians, have a football training session with Adelaide United keeper Eugene Galekovic and in March several of the team competed in the Wii challenge at the Bedford Big BBQ fundraiser,” Mr Dyason said.
Throughout the 2010/2011 AFC Champions League season dedicated Bedford volunteers will fundraise at selected Adelaide United matches, with the football club also arranging half time activities to raise awareness of the Bedford cause.
“The funds raised through all partnership events will assist us in offering employment, recreational and day activities, training, life skills, community housing and support services to the thousands of South Australians with a disability.”
Adelaide United players and club representatives will also appear at Bedford events, giving AUFC fans with a disability a chance to meet their sporting idols.
“The club will attend many of Bedford’s events, such as our Big Battle sports quiz and Anniversary Dinner, to mingle with fans and offer words of wisdom,” Mr Dyason said.
“Adelaide United is an inspirational sporting team and the vital encouragement they offer can certainly help people with a disability to go on and achieve their own goals and aspirations.”
