TWO friends who were determined to provide fun and friendship to young women with disabilities have brought their dream to life with The Glow Project.<\/p>\n
The organisation, created by Meg Taylor and Molly McLachlan, seeks to provide tailored activities and events that allow socialising, teamwork, fun, and creativity.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were highly motivated by the success of Project Growth which is the male version of our program,\u201d said Ms Taylor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were very inspired by the way they were able to provide a sense of belonging and purpose for young males.\u201d<\/p>\n
They decided to learn from Project Growth and start something similar for females.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs young females ourselves, we know how vital it is to make meaningful friendships and a sense of belonging,\u201d said Ms Taylor.<\/p>\n
Participants meet each morning at a base in Nerrina where they have access to games, puzzles, books, and electronics.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe begin each morning by picking up our participants in our minibus and each day we encourage them to socialise and interact with each other,\u201d said Ms Taylor.<\/p>\n
They also take part in one planned activity a day such as baking, socialising, and contributing to ongoing projects.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis includes things like planting, growing and caring for their own plant and creating their own recipe book,\u201d said Ms Taylor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe include regular access to the community within Ballarat and trips to Melbourne, Geelong and other cities to places like Science Works.\u201d<\/p>\n
So far the response has been positive, and there have been chances in participant\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n
\u201cFeedback has been amazing and really quite inspiring,\u201d said Ms Taylor.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ve seen some amazing friendships form. The girls are hanging out with each other outside the program and are coming out of their shells.<\/p>\n
\u201cParticipants have begun to make positive changes in their personal lives like a healthy lunch or physical activities and their setting routines and getting enough sleep.\u201d<\/p>\n