Cérge

I’m a local Disability Support Worker. I heard about Cérge and 
wanted to see how it would work for some participants within our 
organisation. I was really keen to see if having a business know 
what the person may need before we arrive would streamline the 
process and remove any awkwardness and waiting.
I was excited to see the different venues available from cafes to 
tourist type of venues to local supermarkets. I was keen to pick an 
“everyday” type of business as I know this would help a lot of 
people if they could be independant to shop alone or with 
support but driving the experience themselves. That would be 
very impactful for them.
When I arrived Donna showed me where the toilet was located. A 
nice added extra to customer service because we all know as a 
parent someone is going to need the toilet as soon as we arrive 
somewhere.
Kate greeted me out front and showed me through the store. A 
fabulous store and so many yummy items!
I listed that I needed bread and milk. I was shown to these 
locations whilst also being shown other areas and staff who 
service those areas. It was a wonderful tour and I didn’t expect 
such amazing service. Obviously I wouldn’t need this all the time 
but for my first time and planning for possibly taking participants I 
was very happy.
I noticed how clean and spacious the store was which would be 
fabulous for my clients who have walking aids. Not to mention if 
they are immunosuppressedI was told by Kate that if I had a participant who had sensory 
issues, to put it into the app and the music and lights can be 
turned down.
What!!!
That is incredible and truly felt so inclusive! Nothing was too much 
trouble. It felt like everyone was welcome, which doesn’t always 
happen.
If I had participant in a wheelchair, i can mention in the Cérge app 
they said they can make sure aisles would not be obstructed. I’m 
so blown away :) this two way communication is world first and so 
unbelievable.
The staff at Forest Glen IGA were very helpful and informative. 
This is just fabulous for when I am pre planning a visit to anywhere 
that uses Cerge with a participant to be able to make sure their 
needs are met.

My daughter is ASD and can be so over stimulated in 
environments like this.
Oh wow, they could help us.
I would be able to share the Visual Story to prepare her and then 
use the app to let staff know how we were travelling.

Funny how as parents we just trudge along doing everything and 
sometimes don’t ever consider how life could be a bit easier.
If I could shop with my daughter with some back up angels that 
changes my life!
Wow.
YES!

I’ve always loved going swimming but it’s not something I would want to do by myself. I usually need someone there with me to keep me busy enough not to worry about the bubbling anxiety waiting. Making a mistake that might have me singled out or worrying about people watching me.The ability to write exactly what I wanted during the visit was so helpful. Initially I was a little nervous about writing a short note about my anxiety and my son’s struggles with being overwhelmed by loud noises, new places and lots of people, but in hindsight it was amazing not to have to worry about trying to mask how I was feeling. It was also a relief having them know my son may need some extra attention during the tour.Thanks to being able to answer those two simple questions in the Cérge app, and letting the centre know when to expect us, checking in and being welcomed was a very comfortable experience. I was greeted, by name, by a calm and friendly staff member and shown around the spacious new aquatic centre. I believe he also targeted some information towards me such as letting me know their usual quieter times.At the end of the tour my son and I had a great little swim around and Aaron even wanted to explore one of the other pools he had seen during our tour which I definitely consider a win as he doesn’t love stepping outside of his comfort zone.After this experience I feel much more comfortable with the idea of going swimming at the centre on my own as I feel I could do so knowing the ins and outs of the pool area and the process of entering the facility. I would definitely recommend the Cérge app for people that have any requirement for more targeted assistance. Even if it is just needing someone to help you feel at ease in a new and overwhelming environment.

I thought my love for basketball was gone forever, I thought we had our time & now we were over for good. I haven’t played basketball for 6 years, it’s like losing so much of my identity, a part of myself.I’m a huge fan of sport but I have anxiety & depression, I like to live alone and I like quiet places. Quiet places & sport don’t always go together that well, so for the past few years anxiety wins & I haven’t been able to immerse myself in sport like in the past.I know playing again would help. I just can’t get to the point of where it can help me because my barriers aren’t in playing the sport. My barriers are leaving the house.Whenever I have to go somewhere, my mind pretends like I am already there & starts having different conversations.So many voices & thoughts all telling me different scenarios & that makes it hard for me to concentrate. When I reach the place where I know it will be busy my heart starts beating fast, I feel alot of anxiety & discomfort & my brain get frozen.All I can think of is bad situations. Bad outcomes. Bad scenarios. It’s exhausting.I am scared people are going to make fun of me & won’t talk to me & it loops around & around. When I go in there & I am not comfortable I start feeling anxious & uneasy & feel like running away. Fight or flight kicks in & it can really take over my life.I heard about Cérge & at first wasn’t sure it could help me. I didn’t want to make a big deal or draw attention to myself but I noticed Eagle Stadium was on the app & they have basketball. I love ball.It took me a while to work up the courage to go to check it out. I looked at the Visual Story & Sensory Guide & went through all the stuff on the app. I knew if I could prepare my brain for what it would see by looking at all the photos, then when I get there it would be like what I have already seen & it would hack my brain to feel more at ease.The survival tips and processes of anxiety & depression are very real & often very unnoticed.After a few months I finally felt ready. I had all the information and all the visuals. I used the app to let customer service know I was going and used the Cérge chat in the app also for support.Arriving at Eagle Stadium & going to the courts felt like home, I could not look away. The smell of the court, the squeak of the ball. My body remembered & it felt like home. The staff were so welcoming and kind & gave me a timetable and spoke to me about what was on and when.Hearing the bounce, the ball, the cheers, the thumping as people ran up & down the courts. I need to be back. I am so coming back.I left with desire & a plan! The staff gave me details of who organise teams so I can play in a team & I also asked about tennis because I would love to play tennis. Buts that’s the next story!
 

I was a Chef many years ago and because of my spinal injury and some other concerns in my life at the time I had to stop. It broke my heart because it’s a true love of mine.

I started my apprenticeship at 17 as soon as I finished yr 12 and was lucky to study at the Sofitel Culinarily Academy. Starting in a local pub (Where I learnt a lot), I very quickly I got to work with some of the best chefs and in the greatest kitchens in the country. It truly sucked having to stop. 

I love Cérge and am a frequent user so when I saw that Cérge was available for the Chefs In Conversation at The Curated Plate Festival on the Sunshine Coast I jumped at the chance to attend!

I notified Altitude 9 that I would be on my way and arrive within the hour. I had my Support Worker Poppy with me and I let the venue know the things I needed them to know for the day. I use a mobility aid and so I had already checked out all the information online so I knew in advance I could access the venue.

I have a bunch of food allergies and I knew food would be tough for me. I ate beforehand as my food can honestly be incredibly hard for me. They were amazing and offered different options but I was happy to hear the chefs talk.
I felt so at home and it was amazing to be around industry leaders such as Peter Kuruvita (Alba) and also a living legend! 
Tom Hitchcock (Spirit House) which is a world class venue, Cameron Mathews ( Mapleton Public House) and Stacey Connor (Humble on Duke) who was great to talk to!

One thing I feel so happy about is that the partnership between this event and Cérge is the only reason it was possible for me. This is an event I wouldn’t consider because it would feel way too hard and overwhelming. Simply because they had Cérge I knew they cared, it meant I could do something that it of my comfort zone but that offered a way to fill my heart again by being around such incredible chefs. It was absolutely so inspiring. I spoke with Stacey from Humble on Duke and what a great person. Very interesting and passionate about the industry. 

When I arrived I was made to feel so incredibly welcome by Jarnia, her happy, welcoming vibe where nothing was too much trouble. I could feel all she wanted was for me to have a good time. 

Thank you for such a great event within a wonderful festival, but mostly, thank you for caring and considering me.

It matters.
 

I once loved swimming and going to the pool but it’s been about 7 years since I’ve been back to a pool after my conditions have deteriorated.I felt extremely anxious about what to expect from the staff, the possibility of having to answer multiple personal questions, and the high chance of shutting down (dissociation) due to sensory overload or PTSD triggered. The fact I hadn't been to a public pool with my Assistance Dog (Buddha) in a very long time because of past experiences only added to my high anxiety before arriving.I logged into the app and notified Whitlam Leisure Centre that I was on my way, I typed my “Must know “ info that I can get overstimulated and that I had a Buddha. I explained I like to communicate calmly and not be drilled with questions about me or Buddha.On arrival we were greeted friendly by staff and then given a tour around the centre by Ernest, who answered our questions and showed all the accommodations available to us, such as quiet spaces away from others.For the first time, EVER, there were no questions asked about my disability or my Assistance Dog! Absolutely blew me away! As I said with Cérge, I had let staff know before arriving that I have multiple mental health conditions and would have my Assistance Dog and carer with me, that I struggle interacting with strangers and that I hate being asked personal questions. Knowing they knew this, my fears about what might happen lessened to a manageable level.The impact Cerge has made for me after today is indescribable!We walked out of the centre and were deeply overjoyed that I was able to stay at a public pool without issues and for longer than expected! I felt like, for the first time, I could happily enjoy a swim without being disturbed or people trying to interact with my Assistance Dog while I was in the water.I am relieved, happy and empowered

I have anxiety, fibromyalgia, issues with sensory overload ADHD 
and rheumatoid arthritis. So I have quite a few barriers to 
accessing an aquatic centre and feeling comfortable.
In my daily life for work, I support clients include mature-aged 
women with chronic pain and health conditions; and stroke 
survivors requiring minimal support.
So using Cérge to visit Watermarc Banyule yesterday was a 
tremendous experience as a user but also seeing the benefits for 
the people I work with. My own intrinsic experience in two 
varying ways yet both amazingly complimented each other and 
how this can change so many lives and enable me to support my 
people SO much more.

As I drove towards the venue there was some construction near 
the venue with some of the area out of street view. I was a bit 
anxious but having read up in the app I remembered that it was 
said the venue is on a hill and there is underground parking; with 
direct access to the venue with a lift!!
Yay no stairs!
It helped to know it would be a big building so you knew what to expect. Not 
all people with disability need lifts, or ramps. But today, for me. I did.
I did not get lost and nervous as I usually do when going to a new 
place, so it was a nice experience. It’s actually incredible how just 
being able to mind map a venue from looking at all the 
information beforehand seriously relieved so much for me. The problem- you have to literally scour multiple websites to try 
and get the information you need.
I need more than a car park, opening times and a pretty webpage.
I need to see the toilet.
The change room
I need to know the smells and noises.
The stuff that isn’t pretty on a website is usually what most people 
need but can’t find, so they stay home. Trust me.Noah told me where the change rooms were and they were clean 
and not crowded. I had seen them in the Visual Story and they 
looked the same which is always comforting.
I used the exercise equipment as stated in the app to use in the 
pool; I always thought people had brought their own! When I 
asked when are the usual quieter times, Noah understood that I 
would enjoy a time when the water slide closes in the late 
afternoon and then the rest of the facilities are still open to be 
used. Noah felt like a friend. I think me using Cérge kinda made it 
feel like we had a mate in common so we had rapport quickly.

Overall a very pleasant experience that I would do again and 
recommend using the app to clients, friends and family. I would 
actually go to places mostly that are on the app as I will feel less 
anxious and I will know before I arrive if physically I can use the 
facility or not.