“The clients we serve are suffering physically and emotionally from their injury.  Together, we are helping them redefine their new sense of selves and find their autonomy again. It is an honour to be trusted enough to join them on this journey”.

The Group Services day program is located in the heart of Hamilton.  Our team of Recreation Therapists, staff, clients and families develop daily programs that focus on assisting clients to achieve their goals, improve quality of life and enhance people’s overall well-being. The activities cover the domains of socialization, skill development, education, physical activation, volunteering and managing behaviours, while keeping a focus on person-centered care. Group offers virtual care programming parallel to in-person activities.  Our Hamilton location has a large, accessible space which encourages clients to engage in social and recreational activities in a safe and supportive environment.

Female client sitting at a table, holding a white mask that says 'STAY STRONG' on the forehead; she is designing the mask as part of a creative expression workshop with the intention of reflecting on her personal brain injury journey.
Female client sitting at a table, holding a white mask that says 'STAY STRONG' on the forehead; she is designing the mask as part of a creative expression workshop with the intention of reflecting on her personal brain injury journey. A male client and a female are sitting together at a table while they work on creative painting projects. A female staff member is sitting at another table in the room in the background. Female client sitting down with outreached hands is smiling and looking up at an exotic animal staff member while he helps to place a big black spider in the palms of her hands. 3 male clients and 1 female staff standing together and smiling in front of a Taco place at a local market during lunch. Male client looking relaxed in a big large orange armchair has his head turned around to smile at the camera. There is another orange armchair with a client sitting in the room in the background. Male resource nurse sits in front of 4 male clients facilitating a presentation on health. 3 clients are sitting in big orange easy chairs, and one is sitting in front of the nurse in a wheelchair. Female HIRO staff and male client sit across the table from one another while playing a game of cards. They are both holding their hand of cards towards themselves deciding what card to play next at a table. Large, spacious and bright games room. Pool table in the middle of the room has lots of open space around it. A few tables with chairs are set up in the background to accommodate other client activities. Large and spacious communal full kitchen for Group Services. Open floor space is available in the middle of the room; wooden cabinetry including a diswasher span the back wall. 2 large windows provide a lot of natural light into the space.

What We Offer

  • Daily programming offered Monday – Friday at the main office, virtually and/or within the local community (See Group Calendar for details)
  • Daily activities can include:
    • Leisure and social activities
    • Therapeutic recreation
    • Music, pet and aroma therapies
    • Skills training
    • Volunteering in the community
    • Incorporating art and creative expressions
    • Physical exercises geared towards different abilities
  • Access to clinical services offered on Clinic Wednesdays, which may include:
    • Educational sessions by a behaviour therapist
    • Dental hygiene
    • Nursing presentations and taking vital signs
    • Social work and therapeutic activities
    • Case co-ordination; assisting with accessing community resources, completing applications, navigating through systems etc.
  • Client participation in program development
  • Developing social skills and fostering relationships with other ABI survivors
  • 24-hour access to internal crisis line (i.e. HelpLine)

About Our Space

  • Fully accessible recreation room
  • Access to recreational activities:
    • Billiards table
    • TV & sound system
    • Electronic games: Wii &karaoke
    • Board games
  • Accessible kitchen
  • Access to quiet area
  • Dedicated medication room for administering medication on-site
  • Computer lab
  • Accessible via public transit and DARTS

Questions?

Check out Why HIRO? for more information.