Alissa Phillips, Founder and Executive Director of
Specialised Programs And Community Endeavours (s.p.a.c.e) talks
about her programs and how they tie in with mental health...
Hey Everyone,
My name is Alissa, I live in Brisbane and I am 25 years old.
When I was 23 I created a community organisation called s.p.a.c.e
(Check out our website if you want - www.thespace.org.au).
s.p.a.c.e is a community centre. The cool thing about s.p.a.c.e is
that we specialise in creating programs that meet the needs of
people who have a disability!
I don't have a disability. As a kid and young adult though I
spent a lot of time with other young people who had special needs.
My Mum is a Guidance Officer, which means that she spends her days
at schools working with kids and families who need extra help. When
I was growing up she taught me that it doesn't matter who you are
or what you might need help with everyone should feel safe,
supported and loved.
I became a Music Therapist and started my own business working
with young adults with disabilities teaching them how to make
friends and be a more active members of their community. Early on
in the piece I started to get frustrated. Here I was, a young women
thriving. I had a car, a boyfriend, a job, friends and family. I
had options. I had independence. Unfortunately, no matter how hard
I tried; the fabulous young people I was working with were not
thriving in the same way. It would never matter how great a time
they had at music therapy or what important life skills they
learnt; the community needed to start supporting them to thrive
too.
Anyone that logs on to Reachout knows that health and well being
are heavily affected by your environment, support network, sense of
self…the list goes on and on. For the young people I was coming
into contact with their inability to engage with the community was
leaving them isolated and unhappy. For someone with a disability
everyday living can be pretty hard in general. Adding a bad
attitude to the mix just makes life seem unfair, boring and for
some very sad.
But, why complain about a problem when you can make a change for
the better yourself. I started s.p.a.c.e so that I could provide a
place for people in the community with disabilities to connect. I
wanted everyone to know that there was a space for them to call
their own and that place was a safe and supported environment in
which to learn and explore new things.
Today, I sit on my computer writing to you and it has been two
years since s.p.a.c.e first began. In that time we have managed to
convince a lot of people that disability is not a tragedy or a
burden. Disability is simply a part of life and if we work together
we can make a healthier and happy life for people who live with and
alongside disability.
As I write to you this year I hope that you can learn from me
what I learn from s.p.a.c.e everyday. First, 'anyone can make a
difference' and second; 'sometimes you should bite off more than
you can chew!'.
I dare you, while you still can, to have a magnificent
obsession.
Alissa xxoo