PAGE 3PAGE 1

●●●●

As part of Midway’s Continuous Improvement Strategywe have invited a group of 10 employees to complete a Certificate IIIin Disabilities, as part of their personal learning and development.Trainers deliver the training every second Wednesday here at Midwayand cover topics such as effective communication, empoweringindividuals with disability, implementing individual plans, behavioursupport, community participation, inclusion and skill development etc.We wish this new cohort of students all the best with their studies, andlook forward to them applying their new learning in their current roles.

PAGE 2

Welcome to the March 2015 edition of the Midway Newsletter. It’s hard to believe that we are already three months into the yearand Easter is upon us. Our staff have all been very busy striving to ensure that all members of our Midway family have everyopportunity to reach their full potential. As we share life’s journey we see ourselves as companions, walking with people as theyfind their way in life. Our differences make us resources to one another which in turn make us all teachers as we learn and growtogether. Many will be aware that a new set of National Disability Services Standards were endorsed over 12 months ago. It isimportant to us that everyone is familiar with these Standards to the extent that you wish as they identify people’s rights amongother things. Over the coming months we would like to take the opportunity to provide everyone with further information thatwill hopefully help us all to understand these standards better. The first Standard that I would like to discuss in this edition is

As Service Users and Family members you are our top priority and we value any feedback you may have, including complaints.This assists us to better meet your individual needs and to plan for the future. We would appreciate your comments andsuggestions and would like to hear about any concerns that you may have in relation to our services. All feedback and complaintsare treated in the strictest confidence and will be managed in a non-threatening and inclusive manner. We appreciate it when weare given the opportunity to improve on our services as a result of both feedback and complaints. This assists us to develop aculture of continuous improvement whilst striving to meet your expectations.

1. If your complaint is to do with a staff member and you feel comfortable in raising your complaint with them we wouldencourage you to do so.

2. If you are not happy to discuss the issue with the staff member or are not satisfied with the outcome you can raise thisconcern with Midways Operations Manager Elizabeth Alaou by contacting her at the office on 95355500. Elizabeth willthen document your concerns and proceed to resolve them.

3. If the complaint concerns one of Midways Managers or you feel that your concerns have not been resolved you are ableto make direct contact with the Chief Executive Officer Patrick Dudley on 95355500.

4. If after you have exhausted all avenues in steps 1 – 3 and you feel that your complaint is still not resolved to yoursatisfaction Midway would encourage you to request that a member of the Board of Directors contact you to discussyour concerns. To do this please phone and ask to speak to Nicole Houtby – General Manager Corporate Services.Advise her that you would like to talk with a member of the Board of Directors. Nicole will then ask for your details instrictest confidence and pass those on to one of the Directors who will then contact you within three business days.

5. Should the matter still not be resolved to your satisfaction there are a number of external agencies that are available toassist you. You have a right to access these agencies during any part of the process if this is your preference. We havelisted some of these for your information.

6. Once your complaint has been dealt with we would welcome any feedback on the complaints process.

I am hopeful that this explanation will help individuals and their families to better understand the process that is available tothem and would encourage people to provide us with feedback of all types so that Midway may better understand what thingsare working well and what things need to be improved. On behalf of Midway we wish everyone a safe Easter Holiday andhope that you all have an opportunity to spend time with friends and family.

Kind regards,

146-160 Colin Street Level 12, St Martin's TowerWest Perth WA 6005 44 St Georges TerraceGeneral enquiries: Phone: (08) 9426 9200 PERTH WA 6000Main fax: (08) 9226 2306 GPO Box B61 PERTH WA 6838TTY: (08) 9426 9315 Phone: (08) 9323 0600Country callers: Freecall: 1800 998 214 Fax: (08) 9221 3675Email: dsc@dsc.wa.gov.au Country Freecall: 1800 813 583 TTY: (08) 9323 0616

255 Walcott StreetNORTH PERTH WA 6006 Suite 1 Oasis Lotteries HousePhone: (08) 9444 5922 37 Hampden RoadFax: (08) 9444 8966 Nedlands WA 600924 Hour Freecall: 1800 242 636 Phone: (08) 9485 89001300 CARERS (227377) Country Callers: 1800 193 331Website: www.carerswa.asn.au/ Fax: (08) 9386 1011

Email: info@pwdwa.org

PAGE 3

I have recently commenced volunteer work at the Mandurah Food Bank.I am supported by Bill to attend each Wednesday for approximately 3 hours.Whilst there I am required to unpack items, place a black marker line throughthe bar code and stack the items onto shelves.I work diligently and enthusiastically, and I am very focused on the tasks I amset, and extremely proud of the work I am doing.

I also enjoy interacting and engaging with other volunteers during my morning coffee break.

Tim and I have been attending Disabled Surfing events on Saturday’s at the Fremantle Surf Life SavingClub - Leighton Beach.  We love the surfing and cant stop smiling when we areout there on the waves. Tim loves all the attention and the cheers from thebig crowds.  Last month the Fremantle Football Club came along and joinedin with us. We really had a great time, and the weather was perfect forsurfing, it was an amazing experience.  We have one more event left for theseason.

Three times a week I have been going to Anytime Fitness in Falcon.Tara, my personal trainer, is great. Tara is helping me build muscle andstay healthy. Tara is an amazing friend and we really enjoy our timetogether. Thank you Tara for your time and efforts and teaching me somuch.

Ladies from Fifth Avenue and Monclair went to the Perth Arena to see the Kylie Minogue concert.Eveyone travelled by train and all enjoyed the trip. Dinner was in the city before the concert started.It was an exctiting to walk to the Arena, with lots of people all going to the same place. The seats werein the back row with a clear view of the stage. At first the music was disco beats, before Kylie finallycame on stage, she appeared from the ground sitting on a seat that looked like lips. Kylie’s dancingand singing was fantastic to watch and all the ladies enjoyed clapping along.

After the concert some ladies bought posters of Kylie, then eveyrone headed home by train.Everyone was sleepy when they arrived home, but it was a fun night had by all.

I go to CATCH Music in Gosnells every Monday and I am part of a band. I love to dance,shake the shakers and clap along, I also play the tambourine and keyboard. I particularlyenjoy clapping along whilst the other musicians play.On December 15th I joined the band  and played on stage at Hyde park, I jammed for afew of the songs, and I played the shakers. I really enjoy the rhythm and beat of the music.All my friends from Fifth Ave came to watch me on stage, it was a great experience.

PAGE 4

House mates at Silkwood have been introduced to Independent Learning Technologies. The technology supportsindividuals with communication difficulties to have a strong voice. The technology includes Ipads, communicationboards and various other communication aides. Staff also received training and can assist whenever required.The programme continues to be ongoing.

On my birthday I went to San Churos and ordered a hot chocolate pot with marshmellows. I alsohad a party at the at the Silver Sands Chinese Restaurant. Jenna, Debbie, Katie, all my friends atFifth ave- Brendan, Zoe, Adam, Jon and Mel, my friend Nicole, my Dad and Val all came alongto wish me a Happy Birthday and celebrate with me. The chinese meal was delicious and the bestpart was the Mars Bar cake that my support workers made for me.

For my birthday I decided to have a party at home. I went shopping to buy all thebirthday decorations and then decorated my house and the patio for the day. I made allthe invitations on the computer and delivered them to my friends.My family and friends were at the party to celebrate with me, which I really enjoyed. Wehad really nice party food, my mum brought a beautiful birthday cake and I received somelovely gifts. It was a fun birthday and we all had a great time.