ON Wednesday, 19 March, VMCH Wangaratta held their free open day event to showcase what's on offer at VMCH.

Harley Dalgleish, senior manager at VMCH, said that the day was dedicated to giving people with disability a glimpse into what facilities and programs are available at VMCH, as well as to celebrate their dedicated staff members and the “fantastic work” that they do.

“We offer our pathways to possibilities [program] on our Rowan Street campus, our employment pathways [program], and an everything sports program,” he said.

“We’re also promoting our school holidays programs for local school students that are keen to do something during the holidays.”

He said programs at VMCH are tailored to the goals and possibilities for each participant.

“Our pathways to possibilities [program] introduces our participants to what’s in the community, with the idea that they’ll transition out of that program into a social enterprise, whether it be [Where's My Coffee] or Cr8 shed,” Mr Dalgleish said.

He said participants in this program enjoy outings in the community, with swimming at the Wangaratta Sport and Aquatic Centre being a unanimous favourite.

"They talk to the staff down there, they know the staff by name, so it's a very big social thing for them that they feel comfortable and have the support when they're at the pool," Mr Dalgleish said.

"But also, they'll go to Open Door, the library, op shops, and we try and support that as much as we can.

"It just creates that opportunity for them to feel good about themselves."

The 'Pathways to possibilities' program may lead participants to take part in Mr Dalgleish’s 'Employment pathways' program, which he said gives them an idea of what sorts of employment opportunities are available in the community.

Aside from career-focused workshops, there are a number of programs on offer that place life and social skills at the centre, including 'Ready to launch'.

Mr Dalgleish said this is a 12-week program where a young person with a disability will stay in a house, with a support person, and gain a sense of independence as well as transferable life skills.

“In that time, they’ve learnt some life skills; whether its understanding how to use a washing machine, knowing how to cook for themselves or wash clothes or wash dishes,” he said.

Mr Dalgleish said it helps them to confidently transition into the housing market within their own time.

Like life skills, the social skills participants may develop through enterprises with Where's My Coffee are incredibly beneficial, with the potential for them to then transition into that sector.

"Helen Haines was in [the cafe] yesterday and for some of those kids, they know who that person is," he said.

"They were like 'that's really cool, I got to serve her'.

"We see a massive smile on their faces when they get that opportunity."

There are a number of age-specific programs according to Mr Dalgleish, such as the over 18s social nights.

"It's a fantastic opportunity for a group of over 18s to go to a local venue just to catch up together for dinner," he said.

'Let's talk' is another social program on offer for 10-12 year old boys, which gives them the chance to have a yarn about what's happening in their life while having a barbecue at the Cr8 Shed.