Starting out as one of only nine Disability Employment Services in Australia in 1985, Encompass has opened its arms to embrace many more people and their needs.  Encompass offers services for people with physical, intellectual, sensory and psychological disabilities; individuals who are facing some sort of disadvantage such as disengaged youth, long-term unemployed; and those facing financial, social, or learning barriers.  Encompass also offers the latest training through its Registered Training Organisation.

Encompass has a number of projects on the go including trying to secure support for our new extension at our Leopold farm, The Paddock. The farm offers an array of activities including feeding the chickens and collecting the eggs to use in cooking classes, feeding the sheep and helping the vet to keep them happy and healthy, propagating plants and growing vegetables, mowing the lawns and everyone's favourite, driving the new red tractor. Chris Evans, the farm coordinator says, "The focus is ultimately for the people at Encompass to become experts in horticulture, food production, hospitality and when you want to know how to collect the eggs, our people can show you how. We have lots of plans and at the centre of all of these are our people."

If you would like to support the projects at Encompass, visit our website at www.encompass-cs.org.au. "We are keen to get people involved in any way they can. A $5 donation can purchase material to make an apron or purchase kitchen utensils. Every donation of $2 or more is tax deductible and we can ensure that your donation goes towards the project you want to support" says Elaine.