Bedford Group provides exceptional job opportunities and training opportunities for the disability…read morecommunity in South Australia. Some of their services include grounds maintenance, furniture and contract cutting, hospitality and more. The diversified area creates plenty of job opportunities acoss SA as Bedford Group has a strong presence in Mount Gambier, Millicent, Port Lincoln, Clapham and of course here in Panorama. It's interesting to note that they also hold an egg farming business in Port Lincoln and accredited by the RSPCA. It certainly is heartening to see a corporation exercise its corporate social responsibility role towards the community its helping to shape, grow and make a positive influence to society.

Any southern suburbs Op-Shop/Second-hand aficionado worth their salt knows about this shop/sale…read more Every first Sunday of the month (unless a public holiday conflict should postpone it until the following weekend) the sale Brigadoons the sheded area by the train tracks, bringing mystical treasures with it. The Lions Club of Brighton volunteers are friendly and helpful and wander around in yellow and navy uniforms to pay and assist. Although most are quite a bit older than me, they're all fun and easy to talk to, always ready for a chit chat or a joke. They're good eggs. The sale operates for fundraising purposes for the club and the many charity and motivational programs that it runs. They can give change but I'd bring some. If you want some absolute steals then I suggest getting there as close to 9am as possible, as along with op-shop enthusiasts, antique/second-hand dealers also know about this sale and tend to get in right on the gate's opening. This place has a massive range of bric-a-brac, furniture, tools, books, records and clothes (see photos), so chances are if you are looking for something in particular it will be there, or show up one Sunday. Despite the place having everything, it also has a big turnover of goods/donations and each Sunday it'll have one of a kind items (the like of which you will not get elsewhere). It's not the place to consider buying something, it won't be there again when you go back. For example, Sunday a month ago I considered buying this giant Statue of David alcohol bottle and this Sunday looked, nope, not there. What was there this Sunday for me was a vintage chrome and formica sewing table for $5, a hat with a $250 tag still inside also for $5, and an amazing jacket that makes me look the business. I also bought a replacement guitar hero guitar for my brother which they've said if it doesn't work I can return to the bookshop on Thursday. On Thursdays during the week the Lions Club of Brighton run the bookshop portion of this sale. Some hard to find books are here and everything is labelled and in separate sections for easy browsing.

The SA Writers' Centre is a fantastic resource for emerging writers. It functions for members, and…read morea yearly membership is $66 dollars, and less for students and those under 18. Through membership you receive their monthly newsletter which includes a comprehensive list of writing competitions, as well as coming events and articles on writing. You can hire a desk for a week for $30, if you feel the need to find another space to work. This might work for some people, but personally I'd save my money (being a poor writer) and go to the library. Members can also book out the atrium of the centre for book launches, and the centre holds meetings and seminars. It's a great resource for getting published, looking for editors or submitting your manuscript, however you can only really access the full benefits if you become a member. If you're serious about getting published, it's a great idea to get involved here.

The South Australian Writer's Centre is a lifeline for writers in South Australia, I don't know…read morewhat this community would be without it. The monthly newsletter is a Godsend, every competition and opportunity going is in there and delivered to your door. The staff at SAWT are very friendly, especially to unsure newcomers. SAWC is also a great resource for young writers; they run school visits, groups, young writers nights, and a great new incentive working with Carclew and DB magazine to get young writers published, and involved in the Adelaide writing community. If you're a poet I'd highly recommend joining The Friendly Street Poets, a group who have meetings at the SAWC the first Tuesday of every month. Drink some cheap wine, get over your public speaking phobia, drunkenly recite some of your work on a mike in front of a group of random strangers. You'll be so glad you did it, even if the audience is not.

The Australian Refugee Association is one of a few refugee settlement organisations in Adelaide…read more They are located in Underdale in a bright blue building that also houses their bike warehouse - part of the Bikes for Refugees plan. While I have a cursory understanding of ARA's work, Bike for Refugees is the main part of this organisation I am familiar with. In collaboration with the Bicycle Institute of South Australia, ARA collect donated bikes which they repair and give to newly-arrived refugees in Australia. This is an excellent initiative - as a commuter cyclist who doesn't own a car, I'm pretty aware of how much money you can save by riding a bike. $15+ a week for a bus pass isn't as expensive as it could be, but it is worth saving when you have an incredibly small income. And if you have limited English I can imagine catching the bus could be a little intimidating at first too - how to figure out timetables and routes? As well as passing on bikes to new arrivals, a small percentage are sold over Ebay to raise funds for ARA projects. I bought a really smooth little Super Elliott bike through the ARA, and was very happy with their description of the bike. It was a bit rusty and still needs some fixing up, but was reasonably priced and still operational. You can also donate household goods in reasonable condition directly to the ARA. Their other services include settlement assistance, emergency assistance, legal advice, refugee scholarships, job seeking advice, counselling, homework clubs and social activities. Organisations like this are vital to assist refugees to happily settle into Australia, and I'm also glad I got to buy a bike from them!!

Mitcham Cultural Village is a part of the Mitcham City Council and is an interactive community…read morecentre. Located at the fringe of Adelaide's beautiful foothills sits this old heritage Institute building which has been transformed into a venue for hire. It is comprised of three sections which are the main hall, an East Wing and a Meeting Room and caters for meetings, birthday parties, quiz nights and the like. They also have arts and crafts tutition classes where anyone can book to learn various skills and is a great way of meeting others with similar interests. The main hall contains the Coordinators office who is more than happy to take you on a tour of the facilities and answering any questions you may have about the centre and your requirements. There is an open space which has art and craft displays and exhibitions, adding interest and colour to the new foyer. Mitcham Cultural Villages hosts a art and craft market biannually and is a great place to go and buy original handmade items as gifts.

A very traditional op-shop, the St Morris Save the Children is squished in a little shop front…read moreopposite the St George's Bakehouse. Their prices are fantastic, reminiscent of the old style op-shops I used to visit as a kid in the country. It even smells the same - musty and comforting. The quality of the clothing is quite good, though rather dated, but the price improves everything here. The small selection of books on the back wall is nothing special, but at least it's not entirely romance fiction. At the moment, just before Christmas, they're having a half price sale throughout the store, so it's a good time to pop in for a browse for some summer clothes. They have plenty of men's and children's clothing as well as much women's apparel.

Great feeling to be able to donate blood, plasma or platelets to those who need it. This centre is…read moremore relaxed than the city one. The free post-donation snacks and drinks are pretty good too. Get donating if you're healthy and well

Why am I giving a blood donor centre 5 stars? Should they not give ME the stars? Apart from ONE…read moreunpleasant experience the staff at Port Adelaide are wonderful and have always provided a warm and friendly service. Upon entry you are welcomed, fill out a quick form, and sit down in a spacious room where everything happens - there are enough chairs for a dozen people to donate at the same time. You then have a quick 'interview' to ensure you are still eligible before making your chosen donation. I've gone from being a needle-phobe to (almost) 10 donations - a trip to Bali has excluded me for a few months but it's nice to know there are many safeguards. Once you're finished you can take all the time you need until you feel right to leave the centre. Even if I've eaten I always feel hungry after donating and will grab a sandwich, some biscuits, a juice etc which is all provided for you. Remember you need to be healthy and well to donate as well as not had recent tattoos, dental work, antibiotics, travel etc but the website www.donateblood.com.au explains it all well.

A delightful op shop in the heart of Daw Park quite popular within the community. They carry a good…read morestock of fashionable clothing, not a huge collection though as the shop is small. Accessories are aplenty here, you will find scarves, shoes, handbags, jewellery and belts pieces for your mini wardrobe makeover. Everytime I shop here, I find something special to bring home. A painted ceramic duck, a silk scarf, Christmas deco, books and little bric a brac to add charm to my reading corner of kitchen. Prices aren't steep and it's a great place to shop as proceeds are channeled towards their international and local work in supporting children. Save The Children aims to work towards this vision: Every child attains the right to survival, protection, development and participation. I think it's a teriffic cause to support and one I will be supporting for a long time. There are currently 14 op shops branches across South Australia. Check out their website for store locations.

Got alot of good books And clothes, one of the best and cheapest op shops around.nice friendly…read morestaff members and the place is full of bargains and also scored some brand new clothes on more than one occasion, worth the time to have a look