Published on Wednesday 12 December, 2018

Anna Bay Public School’s Year 1 students love their visits from the Lifestyle Buddies at our Port Stephens Community Hub.

Through its Adult Day Program, the Port Stephens Community Hub’s dedicated team help our customers develop friendships, skills and confidence to pursue interests and community connections. 

Lifestyle Solutions’ Community Support Worker, Kelly Riding, facilitated the volunteer program now affectionately known as, Lifestyle Buddies and it’s proven to be a huge success for the students and our customers.

Once a month, five participants at the Hub volunteer at Anna Bay Public School’s Year 1 class, assisting with maths class activities.

Kelly said the program has been successfully running for three years and both the students and volunteers really look forward to the day.

“The benefits for the people we support have been immense and they’re now confident enough to develop and present their own programs with the students. We also incorporate travel training into the day where customers can learn about reading timetables, familiarising themselves with local transport routes and using their Opal Card to get to and from the school,” said Kelly.

Mrs Allan, Year 1 Teacher at Anna Bay Public School said, “The participants and students have been able to work together and form many positive partnerships. There is a strong focus on developing empathy and tolerance, which are the keystones for successful teamwork and healthy relationships.”

The volunteer program has been a great way to foster an inclusive, supportive culture based on respect and understanding.

The Port Stephens Community Hub is looking into expanding their Lifestyle Buddies program and hopes to get other local school on board for next year.