21 Dec 2021 Year in Review

Happy holidays from the team at Active Inclusion.

2021 is almost at an end and as we reflect on the year that was I can’t help but feel an enormous sense of pride and excitement at both what we as an organisation and the South Australian community have achieved in these strange and challenging times.

Like many we have continued to adapt quickly to the ever shifting environment and from this we have thrived and grown as an organisation achieving and celebrating some momentous changes and milestones in 2021.

In April, after eight years we said goodbye to our offices at Thebarton Oval and moved to larger premises at Bacon Street, Hindmarsh. Our new facilities which include dedicated rooms for training and service delivery as well as individual department spaces ensures the office suits our current needs whilst providing the necessary room for growth as we move forward in the coming years and whatever this may hold.

We also end the year with six more staff than the previous year, each bringing their own individual expertise, experiences and unique personalities to our team. To Nick, Denise, Abbey, Allie, Justin and Kylie in our Behaviour Support SA team, we hope your first year with us has been as successful, rewarding and fun for you all as having you here has been for our team.

With the office relocation, increasing demand for services and a growing team numerous staff roles within the organisation changed over the course of 2021. Our General Manager Katrina Ranford now oversees all organisational services and day to day operations in the Behaviour Support SA team, Brigitte, who many may know from her time as our Rapidswim Coordinator, has moved into the role of Office Manager bringing her exceptional organisational skills and energy to each of our services and our Positive Behaviour Practitioner Tamsin also accepted a Team Leader position within BSSA alongside fellow practitioner Esther.  

In 2021 we expanded our training and consultancy services through Active Inclusion, collaborating with local councils, state sporting organisations and government departments to deliver sessions to staff and volunteers working in the community. Our training modules aim to build capacity and awareness of inclusion and diversity in those delivering services to provide opportunities for everyone to participate and contribute to their local community in the way they want to. We look forward to continuing the relationships we established with local governments, state sporting organisations, community groups and clubs and to expanding the delivery of these trainings in the year ahead.

Some reading this may have attended a small (COVID safe!) launch party we held in November where we welcomed everyone to our new offices and announced the transition of the overarching name of our organisation to Active Inclusion. This transition of our name to Active Inclusion aims to encompass and represent all of our business units, succinctly summarising what we as an organisation believe in and work towards each day, to build an active and inclusive community. It is the next step, a broadening of our support and connection to community, in a continually evolving organisation with the same core values that have endured since our foundation. More details on this can be read on the news article here.

As I wrap up I want to lastly thank each and every one of our staff this year, from the Rapidswim team members, the BSSA Practitioners, our Active Inclusion team to the Board. Once again each and every person has persevered through another unpredictable year, building on our commitment to providing best practice and quality service to our participants, families and stakeholders whilst expanding our services and connection to the community we serve.

As we sign off for the year and move into a time filled with family, friends and food I would like to wish all a safe and happy holiday period. Take care if you are heading out on the roads to see loved ones and remember to keep following government health and physical distancing guidelines.

Wishing you all a safe and happy holiday season.

John Cranwell

Chief Executive