A vibrant community, Minda empowers people with intellectual disability to exercise their rights and reach their aspirations whilst maximising independence, ensuring informed choice and improving quality of life
WE CAN DO IT!
We can say this because we see it, each and every day. We see it in the smiles of the individuals we support, who are able to live in their own home, go on holidays, have a job…
We see it in the dedication of our staff members and their families who support the work they do. And we see it in the generosity of the public, our corporate sponsors, and our volunteers.
Too right – We Can Do It
OUR HISTORY
Established in 1898, Minda has a rich history as one of South Australia’s oldest and most respected disability service providers, providing the highest quality of care and support to people with intellectual disability.
Originally located at Fullarton, ‘Minda’, an Aboriginal word meaning place of shelter and protection, began with approximately 30 residents and staff. On opening, the object of Minda Home (as it was known) was “the maintenance, care, education and special training” of those with intellectual disability, and for 70 years, Minda would be the only residential facility in South Australia providing care and education exclusively for people living with intellectual disability.
Needing greater space to accommodate an increasing number of individuals, the property of William Hodgkiss, in the beachside suburb of Brighton was purchased in 1909.
With time, many of the children admitted when the home was initially opened had grown into adults. As such, the constitution was altered to permit these individuals to remain, with the new objective ‘to provide care, education and training to those with intellectual disability’.
Additional land adjoining the existing property at Brighton was purchased and planted with fruit trees and vines and ‘Craigburn’, Minda’s farm at Blackwood, consisting of approximately 1,400 acres, was purchased in 1923.
Officially changing its name to “Minda Incorporated” in 1976, the organisation maintained the strong emphasis on residential accommodation, but also expanded its scope. Employment and other services were established, both in the community and on campus, which recognised the needs and aspirations of individuals to participate in work and other options.
Minda was pleased to open a new state-of-the-art training facility, the South Australian Learning Centre (SALC) at Brighton in 2008. The SALC will further progress training and education opportunities for both staff and for South Australians with an intellectual disability, with many courses for supported employees being offered from the centre.
In 2009, Minda became the first disability organisation in Australia to adopt the guiding principles of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, following the Australian Government’s ratification in 2008, further positioning itself as a leader in the disability sector.
Subsequently, Minda has adopted a contemporary service model, Person Centred Thinking, which takes into account an individual’s aspirations and wishes and is designed to support people to reach a level of self determination that previous models of service did not always promote.
Today, Minda remains at the forefront of the disability sector in South Australia and is one of the state’s largest disability organisations, providing support to over 1,500 South Australians with an intellectual disability. The organisation currently employs 900 staff and over 300 supported employees.
Minda accommodates over 250 adults on the Brighton site, with another 250 individuals in community based living. The remaining number of individuals are supported through other services, including respite care, day options programs, aged care, employment opportunities and sport, leisure and arts activities.
OUR VISION
To maximise choice and inclusion for people living with an intellectual disability to achieve their aspirations.
OUR MISSION
To create the environment for individuals to pursue opportunities to lead valued and meaningful lives in supportive communities.
OUR VALUES
• Respect
• Inclusion
• Choice
OUR PRINCIPLES
• Empowering people with intellectual disability to exercise their rights and meet their social responsibility
• Providing services within a culture of continuous improvement and learning
• Maximising independence, ensuring informed choice and improving quality of life for all
• Individuals while fully meeting the obligations of duty of care
• Maintaining ethical standards to ensure social responsibility
• Promoting the interests of people with intellectual disability by working together with individuals, their families, carers, advocates, government and other organisations and the community
• Minda Incorporated is one of South Australia’s largest not-for-profit disability organisations and for over 110 years has provided the highest quality of professional care and support to individuals
OUR CARE AND SUPPORT ENABLES INDIVIDUALS TO:
• Live in their own house or flat
• Live in a group house in the community
• Live with support at home with their families
• Attain a regular job in open employment
• Work in supported employment
• Develop new skills and abilities
• Engage in recreational pursuits of their choice
• Go on great holidays
• Take control of their personal lives
• Develop friendships and relationships
MINDA DISABILITY ENTERPRISES
At Minda, we maximise supported employment opportunities for people with a disability through viable business outlets, providing supported employment to over 300 people.
Supported employment at Minda offers people the opportunity to contribute their skills and abilities as part of the workforce. Employees not only receive a wage, but are also able to learn new skills and build their confidence and self-esteem in a supportive and positive environment.
Minda Disability Enterprises consists of diverse areas including commercial and support services incorporating the following:
• Envirocare
• Trak Furniture
• Craigburn Nursery
• Minda Packaging Services (MPS)
• Laundry
• Catering
MINDA DAY OPTIONS
Minda offers a variety of high quality, engaging Day Options programs for people with intellectual disability. The programs aim to enhance individuals’ social and life skills, develop and build interests, abilities and support community participation.
VOLUNTEERS
Minda’s Volunteer Services is a channel through which members of the community who desire to help can contribute their resources, energy and ideas for the benefit of Minda and the community. Minda’s Volunteer Services is benchmarked against national volunteer standards.
If you are interested in volunteering with Minda, please contact the Volunteer Coordinator on 8422 6244.
CONTACT US
Website: www.mindainc.com.au
Email: minda@minda.asn.au
Phone: 8422 6200
Address:
King George Ave
PO Box 5
Brighton, SA 5048
