Kickstarting All Aboard’s new project

THE 2024 edition of the Surf Coast Times Torquay Cup will be run today (Friday, May 24) and will this year raise funds for local charity All Aboard.

The charity provides personalised and innovative support to adults living with a disability in the Surf Coast community.

Funds raised from the cup will go towards their plans of expanding the services they offer, in a project called The Junction.

All Aboard’s focus is on small things which make a huge difference, presently offering day programs, social and recreational activities, social weekends away and more.

Co-founder of All Aboard Kate Marshall said The Junction would be a “one-stop shop” for their services to lessen the stress on people with a disability and their support network.

“At the moment we’re a bit disjointed, we run day programs in two different venues and they’re not ours, we rent the spaces.

In developing The Junction, the team at All Aboard are eager to create a safe space that’s user-friendly and inclusive for everyone.

The project will expand on the services they currently offer with the intention of establishing a sensory hairdresser, permanent supported housing, respite housing, therapy offices and more.

The Junction will also be equipped with a café ran by some of All Aboard’s participants, focussed on building skills and creating purpose within their community.

“When you first have a child diagnosed with a disability you do wonder what’s ahead for them,” Ms Marshall said.

“We’re really trying to cut that down and create a nice safe space for all families and support networks of people with disability.”

They are also hoping to set up a playgroup for early diagnosis of disability in children and preschoolers, which will allow for families to come together following diagnosis.

For more information on All Aboard, head to allaboard.org.au