Locals supporting locals: the growth of selectability in Ingham

Over the course of the next few months, we will be highlighting some of the regions across our footprints, highlighting our services, employees and consumers – this week, we focus on Ingham!

selectability has been delivering on the ground services in the Ingham region for quite a long time and has seen strong growth since opening the local mental health hub in 2021.

With structured group activities that allow consumers to make friends, learn new skills and improve their mental wellbeing, and tailored individual support, selectability now supports over 50 consumers in the Ingham region.

These programs suit the diverse needs of participants and have proven practical outcomes.

Outcomes for consumers like Keara, who has been receiving individual support and attending clubhouse for the last year and a half.

“I have a lot of anxiety and a little anti social, so coming to the clubhouse helps me get out more and socialise,” Keara said.

“I think it is a great thing to have people from the Ingham region supporting us as well… it is important to have that I think, they understand that there aren’t many group activities available in town and they know where they can refer you too.”

With that in mind, Keara herself has begun a Cert IV in Mental Health, stating that knowing more about that space is very important in helping others.

“I have had a mental illness since I was 12, I didn’t even think studying it was an option at first, then when I was 18, I thought that we really needed someone in Ingham, because we didn’t have anyone back then.

“selectability has helped since then, but there is definitely a need for more.”

selectability Clubhouse team leader, Shannen Williams says that it is important to remain engaged with the local community to understand the needs of potential consumers.

“We have put callouts on social media asking the needs of the community, and have had an overwhelming response for things like fishing groups, or craft and sewing groups,” Shannen said.

“We are going to implement a few of those ideas, because that is what it is all about, it fills a gap but also focuses on positive mental wellbeing through socialization.

“Then there are things like our breakfast club, that runs from 6:30am – 8:00 am every weekday, where people can come in, have a feed and socialise, it definitely assists with a lot of vulnerable people.”

selectability’s operations in the Ingham region continue to grow to meet the needs of the community, and is regularly justified by a strong team of local’s dedicated to providing best practice support.