Somerville Community Services

12/10/2026

Rebecca enjoyed a trip to Kingpin last Wednesday, spending the afternoon bowling, having fun and enjoying time out in the community.

It’s these everyday experiences that create opportunities for social connection, choice and participation in activities people enjoy.

Looks like a great afternoon, Rebecca! 😊

07/10/2026

This 𝗔𝘂𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗔𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (𝗔𝗔𝗖) 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗠𝗼𝗻𝘁𝗵, we’re sharing a wonderful example of how the right technology can create new opportunities for communication, choice and independence.

Lucy recently worked with Sarah O’Connor, Speech Pathologist, from Territory Therapy Solutions to trial eye-gaze access using TD Snap. Lucy was able to calibrate the device with good accuracy and make purposeful selections using a simple 2x2 grid.

One particularly special moment was seeing Lucy use her eyes to select “My name is Lucy” and the happiness on her face when she heard her name. ☺️

Eye-gaze access is showing real promise as a way to support her communication, independence, choice and control.

AAC can take many forms, from communication boards and symbols to high-tech speech-generating devices. The most important thing is finding the communication method that works for the individual and supporting them to use it successfully.

A big well done to Lucy and Sarah for this important first step. 💙

Everyone deserves a way to communicate.

05/10/2026

Today we recognise World Cerebral Palsy Day, a global day celebrating the more than 50 million people living with cerebral palsy worldwide.

This year’s theme, , highlights that every person with cerebral palsy has their own experiences, strengths, priorities and aspirations, while together, those voices can help drive meaningful change.

At Somerville, we believe inclusion means looking beyond assumptions, recognising individual strengths and ensuring people with disability have the opportunity to participate, contribute and make choices about their own lives.

Today is a reminder to celebrate, listen and take action towards a more inclusive and accessible community.

💚 50 million people. 50 million voices. 50 million reasons for change.

02/10/2026

Our Katherine team recently came together for Wurli Day, a wonderful community and cultural celebration hosted by Wurli-Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health Service.

The event brought together local families, community organisations and service providers for a day celebrating culture, connection, health and wellbeing.

Our Somerville team enjoyed the opportunity to be part of the event, connect with the Katherine community and share information about the supports and services we provide.

Events like Wurli Day are an important opportunity to strengthen relationships, listen to community and come together in a positive and welcoming environment.

Thank you to Wurli-Wurlinjang Aboriginal Health Service for bringing the community together and for welcoming Somerville to be part of the day.

29/09/2026

💙 𝗟𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗮𝗿𝗸 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗼 𝗔𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗦𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 💙

Dancenorth Australia and Araluen Arts Centre will present Lighting the Dark, a contemporary dance work created by Chris D**e, a Kaurna-based dancer and choreographer living with Down syndrome and Araluen Arts Centre will present Lighting the Dark, a contemporary dance work created by Chris D**e, a Kaurna-based dancer and choreographer living with Down syndrome.

The performance explores creativity, identity, connection and possibility, while celebrating the contribution, talent and lived experience of people with disability.

📅 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝟭𝟳 𝗢𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲
🕖 𝟳.𝟬𝟬𝗽𝗺
📍 𝗔𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗿𝗲
⏱️ 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘅𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗹𝘆 𝟲𝟬 𝗺𝗶𝗻𝘂𝘁𝗲𝘀

Chris performs alongside the Dancenorth Ensemble in a work that challenges perceptions and invites audiences to see beyond assumptions.

🎟️ Book tickets here:
https://araluenartscentre.nt.gov.au/whats-on/lighting-dark-dancenorth-australia

27/09/2026

We are incredibly proud to share that Somerville Community Services has received two finalist recognitions in the 2026 Northern Territory Disability Inclusion Awards.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 & 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵ly 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗱 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 – 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀

This recognition acknowledges Somerville’s ongoing commitment to providing high-quality, person-centred supports that promote choice, control and independence for Territorians with disability.

𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 – 𝗦𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗲 𝗖𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺

Our Clinical Care Team has been recognised for its innovative approach to improving the quality, safety and accessibility of disability supports, bringing together clinical expertise, workforce development and participant-centred practice across our service regions.

To be recognised across these categories is a wonderful acknowledgement of the dedication, expertise and care our people bring to Somerville every day.

A special congratulations to our Clinical Care Team, and a sincere thank you to all our staff whose work continues to contribute to meaningful outcomes for people with disability across the Northern Territory.

We are proud to be finalists and proud of the people who make Somerville what it is.

22/09/2026

Amy Southwood, General Manager Disability Services at Somerville Community Services, recently had the opportunity to present to first-year students from the Charles Darwin University Menzies Medical Program.

The session explored some of the challenges people with disability can experience when accessing health and support services, with a strong focus on the importance of effective communication and building greater awareness and understanding of disability.

Amy also spoke about the responsibility health and disability professionals have to look beyond diagnosis or circumstance and design supports around the individual, their needs, preferences, goals and right to be heard.

Opportunities like this are an important part of strengthening understanding across sectors and helping future health professionals develop more inclusive, respectful and person-centred approaches to care.

Thank you to the CDU Menzies Medical Program for inviting Somerville to contribute to the session.

20/09/2026

From bike riding and basketball to swimming, bowling, BBQ cooking, household tasks and communication activities, it’s been a busy and enjoyable week for the group. 🚴‍♂️🏀🏊‍♂️🎳🌭

It’s wonderful to see everyone getting involved, making choices, staying active and building confidence through everyday experiences.

At Somerville, activities like these are about more than keeping busy, they provide meaningful opportunities to develop skills, strengthen independence, connect with others and take part in the community.

A fantastic effort from everyone involved! 💙

16/09/2026

It’s exciting to see the progress continuing on Somerville Housing’s five new Specialist Disability Accommodation homes in Alice Springs.

These purpose-built homes will help create more accessible housing options for people with disability in Central Australia, supporting greater independence, choice and dignity.

You can now take a virtual tour and explore how the homes are taking shape. 👇

Virtual Tour

14/09/2026

💙 Congratulations to the NT Dragonflies!

The Northern Territory Dragonflies have returned home after a memorable three days competing at the 2026 Marie Little Shield in Victoria.

Across the tournament, the team showed determination, adaptability and plenty of growth, finishing their campaign with a win and a draw and securing seventh place overall.

Just as importantly, the weekend was about more than the results. The players built confidence, strengthened friendships and represented the Northern Territory with pride both on and off the court.

Somerville Community Services is proud to support the Dragonflies through our partnership with Netball NT, helping create opportunities for athletes with an intellectual disability to compete on the national stage, develop their skills and be part of a strong and inclusive sporting community.

Well done to every athlete, coach, official, family member and supporter involved in the 2026 campaign. We are proud to have played a small part in supporting this fantastic team. 💙

You can read the full wrap-up of the Dragonflies’ campaign here:

https://nt.netball.com.au/news/dragonflies-shine-2026-marie-little-shield