Variety Motor Mouth Camp creates fun ways to communicate

Held earlier this month at Point Walter Recreation and Conference Centre, the four-day camp combined fun with intensive therapy and training for children who live with communication difficulties, as well as their parents, siblings and carers.

To communicate, many rely on a combination of subtle signs like blinks, nods or noises alongside communication aids.

The camp provided support from volunteer speech, occupational and physiotherapists to help create new ways to communicate.

Attendees then used their new communication skills to take part in a range of activities in line with the camp’s superheroes theme, such as making their own capes and masks and completing obstacle courses.

There were also visits from community heroes, including police, firefighters and members of the State Emergency Service.

The program had participants paint an artwork to celebrate Variety’s 35th anniversary, which will be framed and presented to Variety supporters who have raised more than $35,000 in the 35th year.

Participants included Jasmine Ball (10), of Girrawheen, Conor Tidd (16), of Ocean Reef, Mitchell Farrant (6), of Duncraig, and Lily Ross (5), of Kingsley.