About Us
What is Cosmos?
Cosmos is a Tasmanian non-government community organisation which creates meaningful opportunities for people with an intellectual disability to participate in recreation, leisure and learning activities in community based settings.
Cosmos Mission
Cosmos recognises that significant power imbalances exist in our society. Through all our interactions and practice we seek to minimise this imbalance for the people we support.
Cosmos enriches lives in an environment of stability and a creative, inclusive and flexible atmosphere.
Cosmos does this through the provision of recreation, leisure and learning opportunities for people with disabilities.
Core Business
- Recreation, leisure and learning for people with disabilities
- Creating opportunities for meaningful participation
- Working in ways that promote positive images of people with disabilities
Cosmos Values and Philosophy
- Including everyone creates healthy communities
- Valuing all people for their unique contribution
- People grow through being challenged
- Lifelong learning and learning through life
- People have the right to be fully informed, to make their own decisions and to take risks
- Belonging and self esteem result from opportunities to develop positive social roles
- Valuing a professional workforce
Why Recreation and Leisure?
Recreation and leisure are essential ingredients in everyone’s life. It is through these activities that people establish friendships, build social networks, explore and develop new interests, find out about themselves and take on new challenges.
People with an intellectual disability historically had limited opportunities to participate in everyday activities that other members of the community take for granted. In the not too distant past recreation and leisure activities were often separated from main stream activities.
Cosmos is committed to providing programs which promote inclusion in the wider community and focus on enhancing the relationship between people with a disability and the wider community. Cosmos activities and programs are provided from community venues and the organisation is always looking for innovative and creative ways to improve the level of inclusion for the client group.
What do we do?
Cosmos provides services in a number of different ways:
- people can participate in group activities at various community recreation facilities
- staff can help people find groups, activities or clubs in the community that they can attend
- staff are available to provide information and training to the wider community about disability issues
Cosmos offers the following services:
- Adult Leisure Services – offers a range of individual and group leisure and recreation options based on the needs of the individual;
- Youth Program – provides small group community based recreation options for young people;
- Leisure Counselling – clients are assisted to make informed choices about the type of leisure and recreation activities they would like to be involved in;
- Community Education and Training – information and education for the wider community on current issues affecting the lives of people with disabilities;
- Cosmos Dance – a dance for Cosmos clients and the wider community. Held on a regular basis throughout the year;
- Out Of Hours Program – offers a service of weekend and evening outings where clients can meet new friends and access night time entertainment.
For more on Cosmos Programs, please see the Programs page...
If you would like to contact us, please see our Contact Us page...