The St Michaels wish list initiative has seen over $20,000 worth of wishes come true for staff and participants.
The idea of a wish list came about through a desire to reward staff and participants by equipping them with items that would add value to their lives. Staff and participants were asked to brainstorm ideas… items could be for fun and entertainment, educational, practical purposes or ‘just because!’
We’d like to share with you just some of the items that have brought a smile to the faces of participants and staff alike.
East Devonport
Participants and staff at East Devonport opted for variety when it came to their wish list. Their main item was a 65inch Smart TV… Now East Devonport has its very own in house cinema, with comfy bean bags and movie nibbles included! Participant Tristan says that he ‘can’t wait to watch Disney movies on the big TV.”
Also on their wish list, an iPad and a variety of indoor and outdoor recreational gear including fishing accessories, a bike rack, basketball hoop, bean bags, hacky sacks, boxing pads and a vast array of balls and tennis rackets completed the mix – Dalton “Can’t wait to shoot hoops with the basketballs” and Danielle is pleased to have a new “comfy chair for fishing”.
George Town Road
Those who know Krystal know that she sings beautifully, so at the top of her wish list was a karaoke machine. Also gifted to Krystal was a braille Monopoly set… which comes complete with brailled dice, cards, money and game board. Of her new board game Krystal tells us “ I love it… wonder who will win the games!”
Castlemain Road
Shereena likes the new PS4 that was gifted to her from St Michaels as she can use Singstar. Shereena enjoys expressing herself through music, so also on her wish list was a karaoke machine which will be arriving soon.
Desmond Wood
Participants from Desmond Wood went shopping as group to come up with items for their wish list. Together, they chose a karaoke machine and found a great model at JB Hi-fi that included 2 microphones and a light up screen. At Target, they found a selection of board games including Guess Who, Monopoly Voice Banking, Cluedo, Twister, Bop It and Risk Junior. Last stop was Jaycar Electronics, where the group found a laser tag game, chosen as a fun team activity.
Meanwhile, staff brainstormed ideas for items to improve the facilities at Desmond Wood and opted for some new couches, dining chairs and some kitchen gear.
In Home Tenancy Support
For In Home Tenancy’s wish list, items were chosen to benefit evenings like their Social Club and dinners. It was decided that a projector, screen, amplifier and speaker would be useful and allow for outdoor cinema evenings in the summer and for photo slideshows at events such as the Christmas dinner, with Christmas fast approaching, we can’t wait to see the fantastic photos from throughout the year lit up on the big screen at this year’s dinner!
Hawthorn Street
You may have noticed a recurring theme over many of the wish lists has been a karaoke machine – here at St Michaels we really do have some talented singers, Hawthorn Street included! Participants are looking forward to singing along to their favourite songs when the karaoke machine arrives later this month.
Also on the wish list for Hawthorn Street was a new fridge and a Wii gaming console, the latter chosen because everyone has a lot of fun using the Wii on Games Nights.
Wellington Street
Inspired by Logan and Aron’s enjoyment of Games Nights, a Playstation VR system and game bundle, together with some Lazer Tag admissions were purchased for Logan and Aron, both avid gamers. Both have been busy socialising together over shared interests.
One of Logan and Aron’s goals is to improve their healthy eating, so an air fryer was also gifted to help them achieve their goals.
Como Crescent
Technology was high on the wish list for Aron at Como Crescent, so a new large screen Smart TV enables Aron to better see the TV whilst allowing easier access to the internet and films. Speaking of films, a Netflix subscription was also gifted, while a new tablet allows Aron to listen and watch video clips of his favourite songs and play sensory games.
Independent Services
To create their wish list, participants of Independent Services excitedly browsed catalogues and some researched items online to get more information. The gardening group chose a new garden bed and are looking forward to planting spring crops.
Participants also chose some new iPads, now used in the Brainwaves program to play fun and educational games, as well as by the photography group, where the devices are used to take photos before downloading them to print.
Rounding out Independent Service’s wish list were a variety of new games like jigsaw and Lego sets, which are proving popular with everyone!
Penquite Road
The participants and staff at Penquite Road commented that they were already incredibly lucky “…to have almost everything a person could need,” and opted for a 6 month swim pass at the Launceston Aquatic Centre to promote health, fitness and social inclusion.
Sayer Crescent
Sayer Crescent’s wish list included The Big Bang Theory and Pictionary board games as well as a Spalding 48” downtown NBA portable basketball system.
Kenneth Court
Equipment for indoor and outdoor activities was on the agenda for the participants of Kenneth Court, who opted for an indoor basketball hoop, basketball, a soft dart board and a bingo set.
Thank you
We hope you enjoyed reading about the STMA wish list initiative as much as we enjoyed making it happen.
A huge thank you to all of our participants and staff who helped in making these wishes a reality.