Dylan Lau, 16, and Chelsea Bennett, 18, regularly attend a social group for teenagers with disabilities.
FRIDAY night is the time to sit back, relax and share a meal with mates and it’s no different for a group of teenagers with a disability in Warrnambool.
Every second Friday the Mpower-organised group meets at an Mpower respite house in Warrnambool where they play video games, watch movies and enjoy each other’s company.
The youth group allows the teenagers to socialise while engaging in activities such as planning meals and cooking.
Dylan Lau, 16, and Sebastian Sarra, 14, attend on Friday nights.
“It’s great to play games with other people,” Dylan said.
“It’s better than playing Xbox on your own.”
Trips to the bowling alley and cooking are among the group’s favourite activities.
The teenagers’ parents are also appreciative of the benefits.
Dylan’s parents Stuart and Marcia Read said their son always came home happy.
“You can tell by the expression on his face he loves it,” Mr Read said.
“The first few times he went he was a bit nervous, but now he loves it.”
Sebastian’s mother Kathy says her son could not wait to go to the group.
“He’s at the age where he wants to be with friends,” Ms Sarra said.
“He doesn’t mind what they’re doing.
“It’s more about being in a social situation at his age.”
While attending the group the adolescents develop skills in cooking, planning, decision making, budgeting and using public transport.