I see daily examples of personal achievement, both large and small, which demonstrate to me again and again that Bedford is a wonderful organisation; I feel very privileged to be its Chief Executive. Such events as our TAFE Graduation Ceremonies, our Annual Achievement Awards and the openings of our new residential services reinforce, to me, the value of Bedford to South Australia.

I appreciate the support we receive from the community, through donations, sponsorships and the purchase of lottery tickets; this is critical to our success.

I am always thankful for the positive and professional approach of all our support staff and the energy and enthusiasm of our employees, residents and members with a disability, all of whom I am in awe.

We are inclusive, supportive and recognise the contribution of all individuals. The assistance and help Bedford offers is ongoing; we recognise the support needs of people with a disability or disadvantage, whether in the areas of life skills development, training, personal matters, accommodation or employment.

When you join Bedford, you become part of our family.

Max Dyason (CEO)

Bedford – An Overview
Bedford is a South Australian not-for-profit organisation dedicated to providing a brighter future for people with a disability.

It is the State’s largest and most diverse provider of employment, training, residential services and life skills for people with a disability.

Bedford currently supports over 1,650 people with a disability or disadvantage across its in-house business services, day options centres, residential services, community based open employment and other labour market and support programmes. Bedford employs 240 support staff.

Bedford’s employment, training and other labour programmes operate on and from 15 main sites across the state, its grounds maintenance teams maintain 5,000 locations and the organisation provides a range of accommodation options across metropolitan Adelaide.

A Little History
Bedford was originally created as the Civilian Tubercular and Cancer Comforts Fund back in 1920, before changing its direction in 1943 to become the South Australian Tuberculosis Association Incorporated (SATAI).

In 1945 Bedford Industries was born and the focus became one of creating a brighter future for people with a disability through providing work, training and other life opportunities. To this day, empowering people with a disability remains the key goal for Bedford.

Bedford was originally located in Glenelg, moving in 1949 to the location of its present headquarters and largest site, on Goodwood Road at Panorama. Since this time, Panorama has grown and the employment and training opportunities have become more varied. These opportunities now encompass onsite and open employment options, as well as tertiary education through TAFE and other training providers.

In addition, with its southern APG (Adelaide Property & Gardens) depot at Lonsdale and the Pooraka site, which houses our northern APG depot and packaging division, Bedford offers opportunities right across the metropolitan area for people with a disability. These sites are purposely located so as to be easily accessible by public and private transport by employees.

Supported Employment and Training
Bedford offers employment and training through one of its business services. It now operates five business services – Bedford Packaging, Bedford Hospitality, Bedford Furniture, APG (Adelaide Property & Gardens) and Living Skills.

The five business services win work on the strength of the quality, service and competitive pricing offered to customers. In doing so, they provide on-job training, employment opportunities and skills development to almost 700 people with a disability; a number that keeps growing.

New Open Employment Opportunities through CareerSystems
Better opportunities and more jobs for people with a disability or disadvantage in South Australia are resulting from the merger of CareerSystems Inc. with Bedford. The merger sees the two organisations share resources, systems and skills across their seven sites, significantly increasing the presence and outcomes of both organisations in the community.

It is clear that the demand for quality disability services has never been greater; this merger helps address this need. The ‘new’ CareerSystems supports over 800 people with a disability or disadvantage in community based labour market programmes.

CareerSystems moves forward as a separate division of Bedford, continuing to provide a leading range of vocational and support services for South Australians in need.

Leadership in Training
Bedford takes its responsibilities very seriously and is proud to have provided the model for Australia’s first state-wide programme to provide accredited workplace training for people with a disability right here in South Australia.

Entitled ‘Abilities for All’, the programme has the backing of the South Australian Government’s Department of Further Education, Employment, Science and Technology (DFEEST).

The programme sees TAFE SA and Bedford delivering nationally accredited training to 225 employees of other disability services throughout South Australia.

In Bedford alone, 347 employees have achieved an accredited TAFE qualification.

Day Options

In a little over a year, Bedford’s Day Options Service, BCA (Bedford Community Access), has more than doubled in size. The creation of this new service in 2006 and its subsequent success is aligned with Bedford’s resolve to continue to innovate and explore new ways of supporting and developing options and choices for people with a disability. In addition, through Living Skills, Bedford now operates Day Options services in Port Pirie and Wallaroo.

Homes

In addition to training and employment, Bedford also provides accommodation options for people with a disability – either through community based housing or through Bedford’s Balyana residential service. At present 84 people have homes at Balyana and another 54 people are supported through community-based housing options.

However, even this current provision it is not enough; with unmet need in the form of waiting lists for both Balyana and housing in the community.

The ‘Homes for 100’ programme, supported by a $5 million grant from the state government and matched by $5 million being raised by the Bedford Foundation, will see significant growth in Bedford’s housing activities, with more community based living options for people with a disability.

With community backing and the ongoing encouragement and support of the state government, Bedford aims to take this project well beyond homes for 100 people.

Celebrating Success

For the past 40 years, Bedford has been celebrating the personal achievement and success of people with a disability. The Annual Awards Day celebration recognises the achievements of people in Bedford’s training, employment and day option programmes.

This pinnacle event in the Bedford calendar attracts 2,000 people from all parts of the community, including representatives from state, federal and local government, business and community leaders, family and friends to celebrate the achievements of people with a disability. It is held in May or June of each year.

New Regional Presence
Living Skills, which employs people with a disability in Port Pirie. Wallaroo and Kadina, joins the Bedford Group as its newest business service from August 2007.

The Living Skills Board recently decided to seek a merge partner to help it in its next stage of development and, after in-depth research, chose Bedford.

Living Skills was established in 1986 by parents seeking opportunities for their children with a disability. The organisation has grown to become one of the largest regional disability services in South Australia, offering a broad range of services.

Its head office is in Port Pirie and it has branches in Kadina and Wallaroo. Its services in Port Pirie include supported employment, day options and open employment; in Kadina there is a supported employment operation and a day options centre in Wallaroo (Wallaroo Community Gardens).

Where to in the Future?
One thing is certain; demand for services will continue to grow.

Many pressing challenges will see Bedford, with assistance from, state, federal and local governments and from the public, providing more community based housing, more and different employment and training outcomes, more community based vocational programmes, improved access to our services and more sector leadership.

Bedford’s challenge is to meet that demand and adapt to the growing and changing needs of people with a disability as well as community expectations.

Since 1945, Bedford has grown and adapted to changing expectations and needs with great enthusiasm and success; its challenge is to continue to grow and lead the way in services for people with a disability.

To find out more about Bedford, please visit www.bedfordgroup.com.au.

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