At 21 years of age, Brianna loves keeping up with modern pop-music artists and learning the latest dance moves. Dancing is something that makes Brianna happy and an activity that keeps her mentally positive and physically active.
Brianna lives with two other housemates in Afford Supported Accommodation in Cranbourne where coronavirus restrictions have been in place for several weeks.
Afford (The Australian Foundation for Disability) is a not-for-profit disability provider that applies a whole-of-life approach to disability supports to help individuals realise their goals for work, home, and life under the NDIS.
Strict restrictions across Casey has meant that Afford staff have had to think creatively about supporting residents in their home for extended periods.
After many months of planning, staff revealed a new addition to the Cranbourne home, tailored specifically to suit one of Brianna’s favourite passions.
Complete with a mirrored wall, a dance bar and equipment to suit a variety of dance genres, staff created a dance studio in Brianna’s home. She can now dance ballet, pop, hip-hop, or whatever her heart desires.
Lifestyle assistants along with Brianna’s housemate, Laura, join Brianna in the studio for hours of artistic and creative dance moves.
“I love the dance studio! It’s really made my day,” Brianna said.
“Every resident who moves into an Afford home benefits from the Afford Lifestyle which involves staff going above and beyond to support residents lead the life they have always wanted,” Edward Boghikian said, Afford’s Victorian district manager.
“The dance studio was finished just in time and residents have been able to enjoy engaging activities, that suit their interests, throughout lockdown. Staff at the Afford’s Cranbourne home worked hard to make sure that the room was complete for residents to enjoy.”
“Residents are supported to get involved in activities that they love and, just like at Brianna’s home, if there isn’t activity already on offer, then Afford staff will create it.”
Afford is a registered charity and has been operating in Australia for 68 years, providing a range of disability supports to thousands of people every day.
As one of Australia’s longest-serving not-for-profit disability organisations, Afford goes above and beyond traditional service offerings to adapt to new operating environments to support individuals achieve their goals for work, home and life under the NDIS.
