Engaging with community at DAL Expo

October 26, 2023

Engaging with community at DAL Expo

On 13 and 14 October 2023, Sonder’s NDIS Plus team attended the Disability, Ageing and Lifestyle (DAL) Expo hosted by Catalyst Foundation at the Adelaide Showground.

The annual, two-day extravaganza is Adelaide’s largest and most iconic disability and ageing community event. This year’s event was centred around the theme of #MyLifeChoices, encouraging attendees to embark on a journey of self-discovery and empowerment that enables them to make informed choices regarding disability and ageing service providers and products.

Smiling woman talking to community member at DAL Expo.
Nina, Operations Manager, Disability Services, Sonder

Over 200 exhibitors attended the event, including representatives of government agencies, advocacy groups, transport and modified vehicles, health and welfare professionals, personal aids and equipment, in-home care providers, education, training, and employment agencies, and many more.

Throughout the two-day event, Sonder’s NDIS Plus team enjoyed interacting with community members and sharing valuable insights and information about the extensive range of services available to NDIS participants at Sonder.

Smiling group of three people at DAL Expo.
Thomas, Counsellor and Andy, Customer Experience Coordinator, Disability Services, Sonder

Seminars forge meaningful community connections at DAL Expo

Seminar 1: Mindful Chocolate Eating

On Friday 13 October, Cayetana Arranz, Psychosocial Recovery Coach and Counsellor and Thomas Chan, Counsellor at Sonder, took centre stage to host a captivating seminar aimed at coaching participants to practice the art of mindful eating. As participants enjoyed chocolate samples, Thomas and Cayetana skillfully guided them through the techniques of mindful eating. The session encouraged participants to engage their senses, focus their mind and learn how to savor and experience food in a slow and deliberate manner.

The unique seminar offered a tangible demonstration of one of the therapeutic approaches employed by Cayetana and Thomas in their counselling and therapy sessions with participants.

Interested in learning the art of mindful eating? Here are some simple steps to get started –

  1. Make time, sit down, and unplug – Remove yourself from any distractions and find a place where you feel comfortable.
  2. Give eating your full attention – Eat at the table and focus your attention and awareness on the meal.
  3. Engage your senses – Take time to notice and feel all the aromas, textures, sounds, flavours, and colours of the food in front of you.
  4. Take small bites – It is easier to taste food completely when your mouth isn’t full.
  5. Chew thoroughly – Chew each mouthful 20 – 30 times until you can taste the essence of the food and all the flavours that are released.
  6. Hunger cues – Take a moment to connect with your body and ask yourself if it’s physical hunger you’re really feeling.
  7. Eat slowly – Devote at least five minutes to mindful eating before you continue your day.

Seminar 2: Healthy snacks on a budget

On the following day, Elsie Patterson, Health Promotions Manager at Sonder, took the stage to host an engaging seminar centered on how to cook healthy and nutritious meals on a budget. Participants were in for a treat as they learned to create a delicious bean dip, perfect for pairing with crackers or vegetables, as well as a refreshing green smoothie.

As Elsie demonstrated the preparation of these dishes, she engaged with the audience about Sonder’s new range of healthy living supports for NDIS participants aimed at supporting individuals to manage conditions related to their disability, including diabetes, heart or kidney issues, bowel issues, or mental health concerns.

Check out the recipes for our tasty bean dip and refreshing green smoothie below –

Bean dip on a rustic wooden table.

Tasty bean dip

Ingredients

  • 1 x 400g can of beans or chickpeas, drained and rinsed
  • Lemon or lime juice
  • Olive oil
  • Black pepper
  • 1/2 teaspoon cumin

Method

  1. Place all ingredients in to a blender.
  2. Blend until a smooth consistency.

Two green smoothies in mason jars with paper straws.

Green smoothie

Ingredients

  • 1 x cube frozen spinach
  • 1 tablespoon seeds or nuts (e.g. chia, sunflower, pumpkin seeds, peanut butter)
  • 1 cup milk
  • Half banana
  • 1/2 cup frozen fruit (e.g. mixed berries, mango, pineapple)

Method

  1. Place all ingredients in to a blender.
  2. Blend until combined.

We offer health, wellbeing and therapy services, all under one roof

Adults and young people with an NDIS plan can access our range of disability services to achieve their personal goals.

To learn more about NDIS Plus services and the benefits they offer, visit sonder.net.au/disability