Programmed Facility Management, in collaboration with Uniting Care Kippax, hosted a Community Trade Workshop. This workshop was designed to equip Housing ACT tenants and community participants with practical skills, empowering them to tackle home maintenance tasks with confidence.
On the day, the team demonstrated and gave information sessions on plastering, plumbing, electrical safety talks, carpentry and repairing of fly screens.
Mick Ryan, Service Delivery Manager shares “The Community Trade Workshop was a privilege to be involved in. It was great to see a diverse range of people attend from all age groups. The attendees were engaging, asking informed questions to build their knowledge of basic plumbing, electrical, and carpentry. These new skills will assist attendees in completing tasks around their homes”.
A licensed plumber and electrician discussed common issues around the home, focusing on what is achievable and affordable for the tenants and considering safety at all times. Interactive demonstrations followed, where participants were encouraged to get involved. There were great questions to answer, and participants walked away with practical knowledge and hands-on experience. Everyone then enjoyed a bite to eat, finishing with a community BBQ.
Uniting Care Kippax provided an excellent space for this workshop. Their Social Inclusion Coordinator, Allyn, built the props and brought the workshop together, providing an inclusive and empowering learning environment.
Gregory Lackey, Programmed Social Inclusion Manager, shares his thoughts on the workshop,” This is a prime example of how organisations can unite to support the community. The workshop empowered individuals to learn new skills and fostered new connections within the community.”
Allyn Blydenstein , Uniting Care’s Social Inclusion Coordinator, shares, “What a great day that brought together social inclusion and community development. The impact this workshop provided was great. Greg and I can now see the significance of holding these Trade Day Workshops on an ongoing basis and will be excited to announce when the next Trade Day will be”.
Heli Mckellar and Michael Nurmi, management and CEO at Uniting Care Kippax, share, “UnitingCare Kippax has a long history of engaging with the community through various programs and events, building social inclusion, wellbeing, self-determination, and autonomy amongst community members. Our Emergency Material and Financial Aid Program (EMFA) strives to empower community members through innovative social inclusion activities, sharing knowledge and skills to increase people’s capacity to improve their lives. Our Social Inclusion Coordinator plans and delivers a variety of social inclusion activities, such as the recent Trade Workshop, which we completed in partnership with the Programmed team. We want to thank Programmed and their team for partnering with us on this great initiative, and we look forward to delivering more workshops with them”.
