THE Committee for Ballarat\u2019s Future Shapers community leadership program class of 2023 has graduated.<\/p>\n
People from diverse professional and industry backgrounds took part over 10 months, aiming to boost their leadership skills and networks.<\/p>\n
They also worked in four small groups to identify local issues and respond.<\/p>\n
Adam James and his group created the BASIC project; an initiative about building communities, businesses and organisations that are safe, accessible, and inclusive.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re shining a light on organisations that are doing great work, and acting as a conduit to help others implements similar things,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou don\u2019t need to invest heaps in capital to make big changes, because it\u2019s often really small, inexpensive things changes that can make the biggest difference to the lives of people who may have a disability, be neurodiverse, or in the LGBTQIA+ plus community.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr James said Future Shapers has helped him get his finger \u201con the pulse\u201d of the Ballarat community.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s shone a light on really good people doing a lot of good work, which isn\u2019t always in the spotlight,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s also shown the power of collaboration to gain traction and initiate change.\u201d<\/p>\n
Ash O\u2019Callaghan and his Life After Release group are working to connect ex-prisoners with employers to address skills shortages, and lower rates of re-offending.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy confidence in communication has improved,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201cI\u2019ve presented in front of 60 people and done radio and newspaper interviews. The networking was also fantastic.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other groups developed the Informal Volunteer Awards and Safety4You projects.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
THE Committee for Ballarat\u2019s Future Shapers community leadership program class of 2023 has graduated. People from diverse professional and industry backgrounds took part over 10 months, aiming to boost their leadership skills and networks. They also worked in four small groups to identify local issues and respond. Adam James and his group created the BASIC […]<\/p>\n