First & Great Support Services

20/03/2026

🌍💙 Happy World Down Syndrome Day! 💛🌍

Today we join people across the world in celebrating World Down Syndrome Day, a day recognised by the United Nations to raise awareness, promote inclusion, and honour the rights and contributions of people with Down syndrome.

✨ The date 21/3 is special, it symbolises the uniqueness of the third copy of the 21st chromosome that causes Down syndrome.

📢 This year’s theme calls on all of us to improve our support systems so that individuals with Down syndrome and their families can thrive, be included, and live with dignity in our communities.

🧦 Want a fun way to show your support? Wear colourful or mismatched socks today, a playful, visual reminder of diversity and acceptance!

Let’s celebrate abilities, advocate for inclusion, and show that every person, in all their uniqueness — deserves respect, opportunity, and love. 💛💚

15/03/2026

🌈 Happy Neurodiversity Celebration Week! 🧠✨
This week (March 16–20, 2026), we join people and organisations around the world in celebrating neurodiversity, the full range of human neurological differences that make each of us unique. Neurodiversity recognizes and respects that we think, move, process information, and communicate in different ways, and that those differences aren’t deficits, they’re part of what makes our community vibrant, creative, and strong.

🧩 What is neurodiversity?
Neurodiversity is an umbrella term for alternative thinking styles such as autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia, Tourette’s, and more. Instead of labelling people based on deficits, neurodiversity takes a balanced view of each person’s unique strengths and challenges. It reminds us that many barriers neurodivergent people face are due to environments not designed for diverse minds.

🌍 Why this week matters
Neurodiversity Celebration Week is a global initiative developed to challenge stereotypes and shift how we think about, talk about, and support neurodivergent people in schools, workplaces, and communities. It gives us all a chance to increase understanding, champion inclusion, and celebrate the incredible talents and perspectives that different minds bring to the world.

💡 For workplaces & organisations
Awareness is just the first step. Let’s commit to action, building equitable systems, fair hiring practices, inclusive cultures, and environments where neurodivergent employees can thrive, not just be accommodated. There are tools and resources available to help organisations embed neuroinclusion throughout the employee journey.

Let’s move from understanding to inclusion, today and every day. 💛

12/03/2026

🌟 Choosing the Right NDIS Support Provider 🌟
If you or someone you care about is on the NDIS, picking the right support provider can make a HUGE difference. Here are some simple tips to help you choose the company that truly fits your needs:

🔍 1. Look for experience in YOUR type of support
Not all providers specialise in the same areas. Make sure they understand your goals-whether that’s community access, personal care, therapy, or plan management.

💬 2. Check their communication style
A good provider listens, responds quickly, and explains things clearly. If they don’t make you feel comfortable now, they probably won’t later.

🧩 3. Make sure they offer flexibility
Your needs can change. A provider should be willing to adjust schedules, support types, and services as your goals evolve.

👥 4. Read reviews or ask others in the community
Real experiences from other participants and families can tell you a lot about reliability and quality.

📍 5. Consider location & availability
Choose someone who can actually attend when you need them-consistency matters!

🤝 6. Trust your gut
If something feels off, keep looking. The right provider will make you feel supported, respected, and empowered.

✨ The NDIS is about choice and control-you deserve a provider who helps you live the life you want.

First & Great Support Services
📞 Call us today: 0451 665 792
📧 Email: admin@fgss.com.au
💛 Committed to Excellent Care 💚

07/03/2026

🌍👁 It’s World Glaucoma Week — March 8–14, 2026! 👁🌍

Did you know that glaucoma is one of the leading causes of irreversible blindness worldwide — often with no early symptoms? Early detection is key because once vision is lost, it can’t be regained.

This week — part of the global initiative led by the World Glaucoma Association — we’re raising awareness, encouraging eye health checks, and sharing the message that regular eye exams can save sight.

📅 World Glaucoma Week: March 8–14, 2026
✅ Learn about glaucoma
✅ Support loved ones’ eye health
✅ Book your next eye exam
✅ Share this post to help spread awareness

🔁 Don’t forget to use the hashtag and help us unite for a glaucoma-free world!

👉 Visit https://www.worldglaucomaweek.org/
for tips, facts & ways to get involved.

Together we can protect vision and make a difference! 💚👓

07/03/2026

Free Express/Batman???

03/03/2026

Happy International Women's day

"Balance the Scales is a promise that every woman and girl – regardless of background or identity – should be safe, heard, and free to shape their own lives. Yet in 2026, too many across Australia and the world are still denied that fair go. Discriminatory laws, policies, and practices persist. Gender-based violence remains widespread, and structural barriers block too many from seeking or receiving justice.

These barriers are not inevitable. They are built – and they can be dismantled.

Equality is not about advantage for some; it's about dignity, safety, and fairness for all.

When women and girls stand equal, families are stronger, workplaces are fairer, communities thrive, and society becomes safer for everyone.

This International Women’s Day let's Balance the Scales together."

https://www.iwd.net.au/

28/02/2026

🌍♿ International Wheelchair Day – 1st March ♿🌍

Today we celebrate International Wheelchair Day, a day dedicated to recognizing the positive impact wheelchairs have on millions of people’s lives around the world.

A wheelchair is more than just a piece of equipment, it represents freedom, independence, inclusion, and opportunity. It enables access to education, work, family life, sport, and community.

This day is also about:
✨ Celebrating wheelchair users and their achievements
✨ Raising awareness about accessibility and inclusion
✨ Highlighting the importance of access to appropriate mobility aids worldwide

Let’s continue working toward a world that is accessible for everyone, where barriers are removed and inclusion is the norm, not the exception.

27/02/2026

💜 A Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for NDIS Funding 💜

If you or someone you care for lives with a permanent and significant disability, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) can help you access the supports you need to live more independently and achieve your goals.

🌈 Step 1: Check if You’re Eligible
To apply for NDIS funding, you’ll need to:
✅ Be under 65 years old
✅ Live in Australia and be an Australian citizen, permanent resident, or hold a Protected Special Category visa
✅ Have a permanent and significant disability that affects your daily life
You can use the NDIS Access Checklist here: www.ndis.gov.au

📝 Step 2: Make an Access Request
If you’re eligible, the next step is to submit an access request.
You can do this by:
📞 Calling 1800 800 110, or
📄 Completing the NDIS Access Request Form (available on the NDIS website or by calling the number above).
You’ll need to provide supporting evidence — such as reports or letters from your GP, specialists, or therapists — that describe how your disability impacts your everyday activities.

💬 Step 3: Create Your NDIS Plan
Once your application is approved, you’ll meet with an NDIS planner or Local Area Coordinator (LAC) to build your personalised NDIS plan.
This plan outlines:
🎯 Your goals
💪 The supports you need
💰 The funding you’ll receive
Your plan might include therapies, equipment, home modifications, or support workers — depending on your needs.

🌟 Step 4: Start Using Your Funding
Once your plan is active, you can start using your NDIS funding!
You can choose to:
Manage it yourself,
Use a Plan Manager, or
Have the NDIS manage it for you.
There’s flexibility to choose what works best for you and your family.

💜 Need a Hand?
Applying for NDIS funding can feel overwhelming — but you don’t have to do it alone.
Reach out to your local NDIS office or visit:
👉 www.ndis.gov.au/applying-access-ndis

25/02/2026

🌟 Accessing the Community with the NDIS 🌟

Through your NDIS plan, you can access supports that help you get out into the community - whether that’s joining a local club, attending classes, volunteering, or catching up with friends. These activities can help build confidence, independence, and a strong sense of belonging. 💬🤝

✅ Community participation supports can include:

Assistance with social and recreational activities

Support workers to accompany you to community events

Transport assistance to get where you need to go

Programs that build skills for community engagement

If you’re ready to explore new opportunities or get more involved in your community, chat with your support coordinator or planner today about how your plan can help.

💚 Need caring and reliable support workers?
At First & Great Support Services, we’re here to help NDIS participants live life to the fullest - with compassionate, professional, and flexible support. Whether it’s community access, personal care, or daily living assistance, our team is ready to make a difference.

📞 Call us: 0451 665 792
📧 Email: admin@fgss.com.au

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20/02/2026

🌟 NDIS Core Funding Explained 🌟

One of the most flexible parts of your NDIS plan is Core Funding. But what does it actually cover? Let’s break it down 👇

🔹 Daily Activities
Support with personal care, household tasks, or getting around — so you can live more independently.

🔹 Consumables
Everyday items you might need for your disability support, such as continence products or low-cost assistive technology.

🔹 Transport
Assistance with travel so you can access the community, appointments, work, or education.

🔹 Assistance with Social & Community Participation
Support to join in community programs, social outings, or group activities that help you connect and thrive.

✨ And don’t forget — Core Funding can also cover Respite Services (short-term accommodation or support), giving both participants and their families a much-needed break while ensuring high-quality care.

💙 At Great & First Support Services, we help you make the most of your NDIS Core Funding with:
✅ Dedicated Support Work
✅ Respite Services

📞 Phone: 0451 665 792
📧 Email: admin@fgss.com.au

19/02/2026