Happy Potted Plants Delivered by People with Disability Bring Joy to Locals

Introduction

While the world faces extraordinary challenges, it is acts of selflessness and giving, such as the Happy Pot Plants Project initiated at Afford Miami Hub, that bring hope and happiness to locals in communities across Queensland.

Main Digest

Afford (The Australian Foundation for Disability) is one of Australia's longest-serving not-for-profit disability organisations that supports individuals achieve their goals for work, home and life under the NDIS.

During the current unprecedented world events, Afford is continuing to deliver meaningful care and support to people living with disability in local communities right across Queensland.

The brainchild of Afford staff members, Jelena and Louise, the Happy Pot Plants Project was first established to support participants attending the Day Program to get involved in gardening and art activities that they love.

The project then progressed into a mission to bring joy to locals and businesses affected by community isolation measures, by gifting them Happy Pot Plants, decorated and planted by creative individuals living with disability who attend Miami Hub.

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The creation of the pots involves participants first decorating the pots, then filling them with soil, planting the succulents and finally making the finishing touches to give out to the community.

Nicky receives one-to-one support at Miami Hub and enjoys painting smiley faces on the pots along with bright and colourful designs and patterns.

Thanks to the generosity of many Miami Hub families, succulents have been donated to plant into the pots, which shows just how strong a community project can be in bringing people together for a good cause.

Jelena Bekic, Team Leader at Miami Hub says that the Happy Plants Project is more than just a gardening and arts project.

"It's about supporting clients to consider others in their community. To give back and be an active leader in a positive way. It's about offering new life experiences and opportunities to each client so they can understand more about the world around them and the value of their contribution to wider society," Jelena said.

The Happy Plant Project is already proving a popular initiative. 38 pots have been created and the team at Miami Hub are being inundated with great ideas and suggestions for more pot plants.

"We had no idea just how awesome our Happy Plant Project was going to be. Some of our clients like arts and crafts and some aren't as keen. But we've found that those who aren't too keen on crafts are the ones really getting into the pot plant project," said Jelena.

"Everyone is enjoying painting a pot plant and they all chat together and discuss colours and ideas. During the project our clients are relaxed and smiling a lot, which is great to see."

The first pot plants were delivered by Nicky and Talia to local businesses, including The Shack in Nobbys and Piccolo Express, exercising safe distancing measures all the while.

From the smiles on the faces of the many Happy Pot Plant recipients, Miami Hub's project has been successful in achieving its main goal of bringing happiness to members of their local community.

The Happy Plants Project has been so well received by clients, families and staff of Miami Hub, that Jelena and her team see the project continuing for a long time yet.

Afford continuously goes beyond traditional service offerings to deliver new life experiences, work opportunities, and social connections under the NDIS.

Afford is a registered charity and has been operating in Australia for 68 years, providing a range of disability supports to thousands of people every day. For more information about Afford, visit www.afford.com.au or call 1300 233 673.

Attribution/Source(s):

This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World due to its significant relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by The Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford), and published on 2020/04/09, the content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, The Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford) can be contacted at afford.com.au. NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.

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Cite This Page (APA): The Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford). (2020, April 9). Happy Potted Plants Delivered by People with Disability Bring Joy to Locals. Disabled World. Retrieved September 7, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/entertainment/hobby/potted-plants.php

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