“I wish I came ages ago. You might feel the same.” – Samantha finds confidence in cooking

Trying something new can feel daunting, especially when anxiety makes stepping outside your comfort zone difficult.  

But sometimes, all it takes is the right support to discover something you truly enjoy.

For Rockhampton recipient Samantha, that moment came through one of her favourite activities during selectability’s group programs – the weekly cooking class.

Samantha has been with selectability for close to seven years and has lived in Rockhampton for about the same amount of time.  

Outside of selectability, she enjoys playing bingo, spending time with her cat “Eilish,” visiting her mum and catching up with friends.

Although Samantha only occasionally cooked before, selectability’s program has helped grow that interest into something much bigger.

“I was nervous at first,” said Samantha.  

“But now I feel like I am part of the regular cooking group and it has grown my love for cooking way more than it originally was.”

“I love my support workers and hanging out with them on shift. I really appreciate how flexible they are with rostering.”

For Samantha, the encouragement from her support workers and support coordinator played a key role in helping her take the first step toward joining the cooking group.

“We had lots of conversations about the cooking program and what the routine would look like, and how I would choose to participate” she said.

“I also love that selectability does pickup and drop off to the hub, that definitely helped ease my anxiety.

“So, it really isn’t as scary as I thought it would be.  

“I wish I came sooner. Tuesday has become my favourite day of the week.”

The program has even inspired Samantha to continue cooking outside the hub. On weekends, she recreates the meals prepared during the Tuesday sessions and shares them with family.

Beyond cooking, Samantha said selectability has helped her become more confident and engaged in daily life.

“It helps me every day.  

“Mostly with getting me out of the house and doing things like shopping, going to appointments and sometimes attending events.

“My goals are becoming a bit more social, meeting new people, building my independence and making healthier food options and preparing more meals at home. 

“selectability is helping me with these goals.”

Support coordinator Lina Baker said it has been rewarding to watch Samantha grow in confidence.

“I have watched Samantha grow over the last year and it’s been amazing to see,” said Lina.  

“Samantha is a quiet person and can become anxious in large group settings. Watching her step out of that bubble has been incredible.”

“She loves coming in and having a coffee with the group before cooking. She may be quiet, but she is not afraid to speak up or share ideas.”

When asked what advice she would give someone who is unsure about trying selectability, Samantha’s message was simple.

“You should come and try” 

“I wish I came ages ago. You might feel the same.”

For Samantha, the cooking program has become more than just a weekly activity. It is a place where she feels supported, confident and connected, one Tuesday at a time.

You can find timetables for group programs across selectability’s large footprint here.