Bedford Group

01/09/2026

The Drakes Supermarkets Charity Showbags are back and now available to purchase at your local store.

The Bedford team is proud to play a part in bringing these much-loved showbags to South Australians.

Every bag purchased helps support local charities and the people and communities they serve, including Bedford Group. 💙

Available from Wednesday 2 September at all SA Drakes stores, while stocks last.

31/08/2026

Today, Meridia launched its Strategic Plan 2026-2030.

The plan outlines a clear direction for the years ahead across our Group of social service organisations: The Disability Trust, Ermha, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services, Bedford Group and Embarc Employment - reinforcing our shared commitment to supporting people, families and communities.

Read Meridia’s post below and don’t miss the link to listen to the Get Real podcast. Hear from our Board Chair, Dr Peter Langkamp, and Board member, Carol Heijo, as they share valuable insights informed by their lived experience.

We are proud to launch Meridia's Strategic Plan 2026-2030.

Built through extensive consultation with our workforce, people with lived and living experience, participants, advocates and stakeholders, the strategy sets out our vision for a better-connected social services ecosystem where people remain connected to opportunity, community and purpose at every stage of life.

Guided by three priorities, Strengthen What Works, Build a Sustainable and Diverse Future, and Integrate, Enable and Innovate, the plan provides a clear roadmap for growing our impact while continuing to deliver high-quality, person-centred services.

Together, our service brands, including The Disability Trust, Bedford Group, Ermha, OC Connections, Marriott Support Services and Embarc Employment, will continue working together to create meaningful outcomes for the people and communities we support.

To coincide with the launch, we have also released a special episode of the GET REAL Podcast, featuring Meridia Board Chair Dr Peter Langkamp OAM and Deputy Chair Carol Heijo, who discuss the strategy, the future of the social services sector, and how Meridia is building a more connected approach to support.

Read the strategy: https://meridia.au/news/a-strategy-for-a-better-connected-future/

Listen to the podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/922639/episodes/19567211

Together, we connect what matters.

25/08/2026

What started as a love of soccer has taken Toby to leadership roles, national recognition and even international opportunities.

Recently recognised with a Soccer Achievement Award at the Special Olympics South Australia Special Olympics South Australia Awards Night, Toby has balanced his role as valued member of the Bedford Group Team at Panorama with an incredible sporting journey.

From captaining state soccer teams and coaching basketball, to launching T N T Inclusive Podcast and representing South Australia, Toby continues to inspire others through his passion for inclusive sport.

Next stop? The Special Olympics Australia in Melbourne this October.

We’ll be proudly cheering Toby and eight other Bedford employees on every step of the way.

Read Toby's story to learn more about his journey, what motivates him and the advice he has for anyone thinking about trying something new. 🔗https://bit.ly/4zAXCEL

19/08/2026

Bedford Group’s SALA Festival exhibition, Out of the Bloom is coming to a close, so if you’ve had your eye on a piece, now’s the time to make it yours!

Join us for the Closing Night Celebration this Friday, 21 August, and enjoy a final night of incredible art, music, drinks, nibbles, awards and a market stall.

🎉Out of the Bloom Closing Night Celebration
📅 Friday, 21 August
⏰ 5–9pm
📍 The Exchange, 55 Exchange Place, Adelaide
🎟️ FREE event | All welcome | Please register to attend: https://bit.ly/46baEeI

Can’t make it on Friday? Explore the exhibition online and purchase artwork in your own time, with all proceeds from artwork sales going directly to the artist. (link in comments)

12/08/2026

📸 Making connections at the Wulanda Disability Connecting Expo in Mount Gambier.

Yesterday, Bedford Group attended the Emergency Services R O A R at the Wulanda Disability Connecting Expo. This was a great way for us to connect with the community, meet new people and talk about Bedford Learning and Experiences.

Our photo booth was a popular stop, with photos captured by Bedford photography clients, Jono and Cooper. Their creativity helped bring the space to life and gave visitors a fun way to get involved and take home a special moment from the day.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by for a chat (and a photo). It was a fantastic day of connection, conversation, and community. 👏

03/08/2026

✨Out of the Bloom, Bedford Group's 2026 SALA Festival exhibition, is officially open! 🎨

It was wonderful to celebrate this special occasion alongside our talented artists, their families, friends and supporters, recognising the creativity, dedication and personal stories behind every artwork on display.

A special thank you to Katrine Hildyard MP for officially opening the exhibition and joining us in celebrating the incredible talent within Bedford's artistic community.

The exhibition celebrates the artistic talent nurtured through Blend Creative's commercial design studio and Bedford’s Learning and Experiences programs.

Thank you to everyone who joined us to mark the opening.

The exhibition will be on display until 21 August at The Exchange, Tuesday - Thursday from 10am - 4pm.

29/07/2026

It was a pleasure to welcome Hildyard MP to our Bedford Panorama site last week.

The visit provided a valuable opportunity to connect with our supported employees, participants and senior leaders, spending time across our Packaging operations and Learning and Experiences programs.

These conversations are an important way to share ideas, celebrate the achievements of the people we support, and discuss how we can continue working together to create more opportunities for people with disability to thrive in employment and community life.

Thank you, Katrine, for taking the time to visit and connect with the Bedford team. We appreciate your ongoing support and look forward to continuing the conversation.

28/07/2026

Creativity has the power to inspire, transform and tell stories that words sometimes can't. 🎨🖌️

Bedford Group’s exhibition for the celebrates growth, change, resilience and transformation through a vibrant collection of creative works.

Featuring painting, pottery and digital design, each piece reflects the unique experiences, perspectives and creative journeys of the artists.

Inspired by the confidence and skills developed through Blend Creative's development program and Bedford's Learning and Experiences programs, these works are expressive, thoughtful and deeply personal.

Out of the Bloom celebrates creativity as a powerful tool for self-discovery, showcasing the diverse talents and voices of Bedford’s artistic community. ✨

Join us for the exhibition launch:
📆Wednesday, 29 July 2-4pm
📍 The Exchange, 55 Exchange Place, Adelaide

Book your free ticket at the link below ⬇️

https://events.humanitix.com/sala-out-of-the-bloom

We'd love to see you there!

21/07/2026

A national test of AusAlert will take place on Monday 27 July at 1:30pm AEST.

During the test, compatible mobile devices will receive a test alert featuring an on-screen message, vibration and a loud siren-like sound lasting around 10 seconds.

No action is required.

Please note: the alert will sound even if your phone is on silent or set to Do Not Disturb.

If receiving the test may cause stress or harm, you can switch your device off or place it in aeroplane mode before 1:30pm and leave it off for at least one hour.

Learn more about the national test and what to expect: https://www.ausalert.gov.au/community-resources/disabilities-extra-support

10/07/2026

At Bedford Whyalla, we're proud to be working alongside Whyalla City Council to give quality furniture a second life while creating positive outcomes for our community.

Through our hard waste collection contract, we occasionally collect furniture that's still in good condition. Rather than seeing these items go to landfill, our team is cleaning them up and making them available to local residents at affordable prices.

This initiative is helping to provide low-cost furniture options for the community, create meaningful employment opportunities for people with disability, reduce waste and keep reusable items out of landfill

We're excited to support Council's commitment to reducing waste and promoting reuse, while helping Whyalla residents find quality furniture at great prices.

Keep an eye on the Bedford Whyalla Regional Enterprise page for the latest bargains — current items include couches, desks, wardrobes and display cabinets, all with free delivery!