#9

04BUILDING A BETTER LIFE

www.lwb.org.au

16LWB DISABILITY AND NDIS

08INGENUITY AT WORK

18FROM REFUGEE TO LWB CARER

Issue #9 June 2016

LWB Senior Youth Worker/Cultural Support Planner, Silvia Jones-Te rare at the 16th Annual Punyahra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Expo in North Queensland – read the story on page 7.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE CLAIRE ROBBS

In We Live Life we shine the spotlight on individuals who are making a difference.We hope you enjoy reading about our volunteers and staff who, through their passion and commitment, are helping people to change their lives for the better.

In each edition we publish articles about our work with clients and our services, and share inspirational stories from around the country. We also profile our Life Without Barriers teams, innovations and successes.

WELCOME TO WE LIVE LIFE

Did you know, Life Without Barriers is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram? Connect with us @LWBAustralia

July 2016 sees the nationwide full scheme roll out of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) which will support a better life for more than 400,000 Australians with a disability. Life Without Barriers has been supporting people in the NDIS since the start of the NDIS trials in July 2013.

As a national disability provider, we have had the opportunity to see first-hand, in the NDIS trial sites, the benefits that the NDIS has brought to people’s lives.

LWB is committed to providing information and support to people transitioning to the NDIS. You can find out more about the timeframes for roll out in your state, plus contact numbers for further information on pages 16 and 17.

You will also find articles about the achievements of people with a disability on pages 3, 9, 12, 13 and 19.

Also in this issue, we share the journey of a refugee lost at sea who found his way to being a carer with Life Without Barriers (page 18) and the adventure experienced by 24 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people when they went deep into Sacred Country (page 15).

There is always so much to share in every issue of We Live Life. We hope you enjoy reading and sharing this issue of We Live Life.

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Standing (left to right): LWB Case Manager/#iConnect, Matthew Brown; LWB State Finance Accountant, Jacqui De Carpentier; LWB General Manager, Rhonda McLaughlin; LWB Program Manager/Disability Services North, Tony Crothers and LWB Senior Disability Worker, Gaylene Connell. Seated (left to right): LWB Liaison and Planning Coordinator, Allan Barton; LWB Program Officer/Back on Track, Lisa Watts; LWB Senior Disability Worker, Debbie Haines; and LWB Health Safety Environment & Training Officer, Lettie van der Westhuizen.

The north Tasmania Disability Team responds to clients’ needs for innovative programs to support people living with a disabilityTasmania commenced as a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) trial site back in July 2013, focusing on the 15-24 year-olds age group.

The team has been developing a skills development program for young men living with autism, concentrating on

TEAM WORK

enhancing their skills, independence and experience. There have been some great outcomes for the young men attending both individually and collectively.

The team designed this program with input from the young people, their families and networks, to mirror the outcomes expected by the National Disability Insurance Agency (NDIA), under funding provided to individuals through their NDIS support plans. The NDIA agrees that the programme is most certainly achieving expected outcomes. The NDIA recently filmed a story featuring 5 of the young men attending. Those who were interviewed enjoyed

sharing their stories and personal achievements with NDIA film crew and interviewers. Their stories will become available on the NDIA website.

Not resting on their laurels, the team in Tasmania continue to deliver innovative services to support many people living with a disability. They offer a wide variety of individual and group-based disability support services including shared supported living, mentoring, driving lessons, life skills, employment support, hydrotherapy programs, centre-based programs and transport training.

Building skills and experience is what we want to achieve for all people with a disability we support. Partnering with people in our Parry St Programme in Newcastle, we now have a number of people with a disability using their newly acquired office skills as dedicated volunteers at our Life Without Barriers (LWB) National Office.

“Together we make a great team,” said LWB People Services Manager Cate Reddall. “The staff provide the training and create meaningful work for the volunteers, and our volunteers

BUILDING SKILLS IN LOTS OF WAYS

bring enthusiasm and a passion to gain experience and do a great job. As a bonus, everyone makes new friends, and has a lot of fun along the way”.

We all need fun at the office and the Plane-A-Palooza day started off as a bit of fun – using unwanted papers from old training folders to make paper planes – and quickly turned into a full-fledged

competition. Paper and people took flight on the day, as the competition revved up across the office. First prize went to office volunteer Robbie who clearly has great skill in both office work and plane building! His title might be short-lived though, as we’ve heard that some have already started tweaking their plane designs and practicing their throws ready for the next competition!

Proud plane-a-palooza champions

From left to right: Proud graduates, Deborah Yesberg, Paul Bracher and Marianne Bracher.Participants in the Cert III Program in Atherton, applying their skills in a simulated situation.

As a Registered Training Organisation (RTO), LWB provides training programs and assessment services across a range of nationally recognised vocational qualifications and skill sets.

In 2014, we began delivering Certificate III in Disability in Logan, Cairns and Atherton, Queensland.

“We had 26 participants across Atherton and Cairns and 25 have already found employment in the disability sector since completing the program in November last year,” said LWBs RTO Quality and Compliance Consultant, Fiona Czadrik.

Sandy, a learner from Queensland says it feels great to be able to implement all the strategies and procedures she learned through the program.

“I had no knowledge whatsoever or had even studied since leaving school,” Sandy said. “I felt nervous on the first day but our trainer made it really easy, helped me get through the course and gain my Certificate.”

Those who were already employed were looking to upskill and have their experience reinforced by formal qualification.

“I feel I have learnt so much from completing this Cert III,” says Sylvia. “It has allowed me to understand much more and I have an opportunity to share my knowledge in my own workplace.”

Another participant, Kam says the training supported their person-centred ethos.

“The program assisted in the way I look at working with clients, to support them in creating their goals centred on their choices and what is important to them individually. I also feel lucky to have the course delivered by the lovely Sharon, who showed us what the future vision of supporting people with disability could look like.”

Many people from the program have expressed interest in continuing their professional development by completing a Certificate IV or Diploma this year, and we’re looking forward to delivering future programs to a variety of organisations and individuals.

These programs include working with challenging behaviour, person centred planning, alternative and augmentative communication, personal care, workplace health and safety and culturally sensitive practice.

If you would like more information on our RTO programs, please visit our Training page at http://www.lwb.org.au/who-we-are/registered-training-organisation/

BUILDING A BETTER LIFEStaff Conference draws Child and Family Team case managers from across NSW with engaging speakers.Life Without Barriers (LWB) recently held a two-day conference entitled ‘Build a Better Life’, for case managers in the NSW Child and Family team. The conference held in Sydney on 11-12 April 2016 focused on the needs and rights of children and young people in care, and discussed ways of ensuring ongoing life-long connections with family. The conference was also an excellent opportunity to acknowledge, recognise and share the good work and exceptional outcomes being achieved by case managers and teams across the region. “As a case manager you make a real and tangible difference in the lives of children, young people and families,” said LWB National Director of Practice and Quality Mary McKinnon addressing the attendees.

The conference emphasised that LWB puts children first, and the launching of the NSW Child and Family Case Management Framework presented an ongoing practical model of effective case management for its staff. The conference highlighted LWBs core value of ‘relationships come first’ through the importance it placed on relationship-building with children, young people and their families, and striving to build strong families and communities. The conference served as a reminder as to the importance of effectively sharing experiences and adopting a common vision to put into practice the elements that can help build better lives for children.

The sessions included guest presenters Kevin Campbell (Expert Consultant/Trainer and Author of the Family Finding Model) on the importance and strategies to finding family connections; Dr Josh McDowell who discussed the importance of staying connected with siblings; and NSW Children’s Guardian Kerryn Boland.

A Newcastle based parent – worker group, Family Inclusion Strategies in the Hunter (FISH), also provided a unique opportunity to hear directly from parents with lived experience of child removal. Three parents with children in care spoke about the importance of being actively involved in their children’s lives, forming relationships with carers and workers and the improved outcomes for kids that can be achieved when respectful family inclusive practice takes place. FISH facilitated a short workshop to enable case managers to build family inclusive practice skills. The conference also included a session with a young adult and her carer both of whom shared the engaging story of their experience together. Achieving ‘permanency’ through building ongoing, lifelong connections between children in care, their carers and families was a continuing theme.

Speaker Kevin Campbell stayed on after the conference to facilitate a two-day ‘Family Finding Boot Camp’ with a group of LWB staff. The Family Finding model seeks to build or maintain the Lifetime Family Support network for all children or young persons who are disconnected or at risk of disconnection through placement outside of their home and community.

As part of the closing ceremony the Koomurri dancers delivered a breath-takingly intense performance that left the conference participants in awe of their art steeped in unique culture.

LWB Case Managers listen intently during the opening session of ‘Build a Better Life’ conference.

Conference participants during breakout discussions

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BUILDING A BETTER LIFE

Conference participants during breakout discussions

CASE MANAGEMENT FRAMEWORK LAUNCHEDLife Without Barriers’ NSW Child and Family Case Management Framework was launched at the Build a Better Life conference. The Framework will provide LWB staff in NSW with a model of case management based on the understanding of the importance of relationships with children, young people and their families, and adopting a comprehensive approach to building strong families and communities. The framework also recognises the central role played by case managers, stating that “at Life Without Barriers our case managers are crucial in building relationships with children and young people and the person closest to them to ensure they are safe, have stable and permanent placements and reach their full potential”. The framework is part of our ongoing commitment to putting children first and making their safety and wellbeing our key priority.

Family Inclusion Strategies in the Hunter (FISH) is a Newcastle based group which aims to build and promote family inclusive practice in child protection and out of home care. Life Without Barriers has been an important partner in FISH since its inception in 2014.

In order for parents and family to build and maintain great relationships with their kids they need to have information and support. FISH has created a website for parents and family who have had children removed and placed in out of home care or who are at risk of having a child removed. Jessica Cocks, National Practice Advisor with the National Practice and Quality Team

in LWB has worked with other FISH members to develop the website content. It is a fantastic resource for parents and family with a lot of ideas for working with agencies, carers and workers, managing stressful family relationships and contact visits and negotiating for their children to receive the best of care. There is also lots of information on the website that carers and workers will find helpful including messages from research and ideas for building respectful professional relationships between carers, parents and workers that are focused on children’s best interests. FISH is made up of several agency partners and is led by a partnership of workers, carers and parents with lived experience of child removal.

The Family Inclusion Strategies in the Hunter website was officially launched on 11 May this year at an event in Newcastle. The launch included hearing from several parents with children in care who have become active members of FISH in order to improve the child protection and out of home care system. The parents were joined by LWB Board Member Gillian Calvert AO who made a great speech in support of family inclusion. Ms Calvert said “in order to keep kids safe and do the best we can for them we need all the voices at the table – including parents.”

You can find the website at finclusionh.org. To find out more and to contact FISH please email: contact@finclusionh.org

LAUNCH OF THE FAMILY INCLUSION IN THE HUNTER WEBSITE

LWB Cairns team representatives: Asher Meadows, Isabelle Lablache, Amy Williamson Area Operations Manager, Neari Van Hooren, Liz Lewry Operations Manager, visiting Director Social Innovation Geoff Aigner, Suzanne Tayler, and Natasha Woodleigh.

Kaio Cygan and Elia Ware, LWB Cairns, laying down the damper for the Mabo Day celebration feast.

Life Without Barriers is currently implementing its third Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP), which guides and directs our commitment and work in supporting reconciliation. Running from

RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN: TARGET UPDATE

COMMEMORATION AND COMMITMENT

January 2016 through January 2019 this Stretch RAP has one clear objective in mind: to have a positive impact on the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, families and communities. We have developed our Stretch RAP to ensure that this objective is deeply embedded in everything we do, and that real outcomes are achieved.

Thanks to the support of communities and our dedicated staff we continue to achieve and exceed our committed targets for the first half of the year as measured by our new online reporting system. We are continuing to make employment, and cultural planning for clients and children in Out of Home Care

our key priorities. We have already made strong progress, please visit our website http://www.lwb.org.au/aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-peoples/ to see our progress tracking. Our Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) target of two has been surpassed as we have developed MOUs with The Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, Cherbourg State School and South Burnett Community Training Centre, as well as Toundi College in South Australia. It’s also great to note that we have delivered 179 face-to-face cultural learning sessions and celebrated more days of significance (11 compared to a target of 8) than we had hoped to achieve up to this point. Congratulations on the wonderful results!

Life Without Barriers teams across the country spent the later part of May to early June recognising and remembering Australia’s settlement history and the long road we still have to travel to achieve reconciliation.

May 26 was the eighth anniversary of the Apology given by the then Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, to the Stolen Generations. It was also 19 years since the release of the Brining Them Home report, which acknowledged that policies by early government had systematically decimated the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander population and separated people from family, land and culture.

Our teams held events and attend community activities organised by others such as the Whittlesea Council (VIC) and the Kimberley Stolen Generation Aboriginal Corporation in Broome (WA); and in LWB locations across the country people heard from guest speakers, watched the apology, and took time to pause and reflect on the lives permanently changed through the removal of children throughout the twentieth century.

National Reconciliation Week (27 May - 2 June) led to week-long celebrations.

Staff, young people and carers took part in a journey map of LWBs Reconciliation steps amid the Karawatha Forest Discovery Centre, and attended the Yugambeh Jarla Australian Native Gala Dinner both in Queensland. We also took time to meet with Aboriginal guides and historians to increase our knowledge and understanding at the Tasmanian Aboriginal Centre and the Sydney Botanical Gardens.

Clients, carers and friends came together in Cairns to celebrate Mabo Day, names in recognition of Torres Strait Islander Eddie Mabo who played a pivotal role in gaining recognition that Australia was populated before white settlement.

You can read more about our reconciliation activities, our NAIDOC Week events (3-10 July), our Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan, and the history behind these important reconciliation dates at www.lwb.org.au

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PUNYAHRA

LWB spreading the word (as well as colour and cheer) at the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and wellbeing expo. Pictured (left to right): Silvia Jones-Te rare (LWBs Senior Youth Worker/Cultural Support Planner) and Leoni Lippitt (LWBs State Lead Queensland, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Initiatives) attended throughout the day.

LWB participates in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander wellbeing expo.

Life Without Barriers (LWB) believes that reconciliation must live in the hearts and minds of all Australians. As a nation we need to work together to close the gap in life expectancy by improving the cultural, spiritual and emotional wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. This is why LWB was keen on being present at the 16th Annual Punyahra Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Expo in Far North Queensland. The event

promotes all aspects of health and wellbeing to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and improves links between Queensland Health, service providers and members of the community. Silvia Jones – Te rare (Senior Youth Worker/Cultural Support Planner), Nicole Muller (After Care Community Facilitator), Jayne Boeman (Project Manager – National Disability Insurance Scheme) and Leoni Lippitt (State Lead Queensland, Aboriginal

REALLY GOOD TOGETHER*

This September, a four-day bushland camp 83 kilometres east of Alice Springs, NT, will come alive with the sound of singing, storytelling, yarning and laughter as 200 people make camp for the 2016 Aged and Disability Festival.

The Festival is organised by the Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi Aboriginal Corporation known as Waltja. This year, Life Without Barriers is proud to be supporting Waltja and honoured to be invited to attend and host people we support through our Disability Services and Out of Home Care programs.

The Festival is a positive and life-affirming initiative that celebrates Aboriginal cultural heritage among older people, many with disability, across remote communities in Central Australia. It is the only event of its kind providing cross-generational cultural

connection for Aboriginal people, and active inclusion of frail aged and people with disability who are often excluded from cultural life due to limited mobility.

Waltja Directors are senior Aboriginal women from remote communities in Central Australia. They will lead the festival, supported by Waltja staff and volunteers. The festival was established with the aim of creating inspiring, good-practice resources for Aboriginal communities and organisations working with Aboriginal families, older people and people with a disability.

LWB together with Waltja are raising financial and in-kind contributions from sponsors to enable people from remote communities to attend the Festival, by covering travel, facilities and accommodation expenses.

You can find out more about Waltja, the festival and opportunities to support this amazing festival by visiting: www.waltja.org.au and www.lwb.org.au

*From the understanding of Waltja’s name: Waltja Tjutangku Palyapayi is in the Luritja language. It literally means “families, for everybody, really good together”

and Torres Strait Islander Initiatives) LWB staff engaged the community in conversation and provided information on our services available in Far North Queensland.

LWB is always on the lookout to extend its support to local communities across Australia and share information on its wide array of services.

Waltja’s logo, created by Punata Stockman from Mt Leibig in 1997, in which the three circles represent communities, Waltja and service providers.

RECONCILIATION ACTION PLAN: TARGET UPDATE

Life Without Barriers used sketches to illustrate the purpose and benefits of new ideas to current and prospective disability services clients and then gather their feedback.

INGENUITY AT WORKLWB used an innovative co-design approach to improve the experience of people living with a disability, and staff.

At Life Without Barriers we hold the belief that co-design is key to understanding the needs of people living with a disability. Co-design is consultation that centres on listening without preconceptions and asking questions that enable the clients we support to lead the way.

In this spirit, for the past year we’ve undertaken innovative co-design workshops in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney to harvest ideas that could help improve the quality of the services we provide through our disability services program.

Our Inventiveness Project, which started in June last year, used an inclusive ‘out of the square’ co-design process to generate over a hundred ideas that might benefit people with a disability. The consultation groups also developed ideas that could assist our LWB staff in better supporting people living with a disability and better connecting with their colleagues. “By review and challenging the ideas, we refined them down to the five best ideas,” said Practice and Program Specialist Theo Gruschka. “We then did some ‘market testing.’”

We carried out interviews with current and prospective customers of our disability services, using sketches to illustrate a purpose and benefits of the ideas, gather feedback and ratings. “We also asked the member of our national Disability Services Advisory Council to put these ideas to the test,” Theo said. “Along with a look at what similar products might already be available.”

One of the ideas was tested with staff, to explore how it could improve their day, and their work with people with disability. The testing phase was also an opportunity for people with a disability and staff to provide their views on how to make each idea more accessible, and useful.

LWB now has two clear ideas it intends to develop further. The first is developing a LWB customer portal, to enable people with a disability to manage their account, gain relevant service delivery information and provide feedback. The second is developing a calculator tool for LWB staff and people with a disability to easily create quotes and get the best mix and value of services from their packages.

In addition, LWB intends on refreshing the LWB website, based on testing revealing that people with a disability require a more interactive and personalised user experience. Another idea under further research is the development of an interactive planning tool.

The Inventiveness Project showcases the values of LWB by striving to be courageous, imaginative, responsive, respectful and placing further emphasis on building strong and enduring relationships. The next stages of the Inventiveness Project will see our team further refining requirements and plans to bring the ideas to life.

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Early stages in the creation of the collective mosaic art work entitled ‘Tolosa’.

Pictured (left to right) Carol, Lawrence and Greg proudly displaying the progress of the creation ‘Tolosa’.

Pictured (left to right): Carol and James, with Greg in the background, as they work hard on ‘Tolosa’.

Edward and Roy working on plant propagation with an Understorey volunteer.

The creative Tolosa Workshops Art Group is causing quite a stir with its unique pieces.

Tucked away in a quiet corner of Tolosa Park, around nine kilometres North of Hobart, Tasmania, stand a few rustic workshops. And out of those unassuming garden sheds emerge some truly beautiful works of art. But it is the story behind those stunning art pieces that makes them all the more intriguing.

The workshops of Tolosa are home to some innovative Life Without Barriers (LWB) programs, run in partnership with Glenorchy City Council and Understorey Network. Clients in LWBs disability services taking part in the propagation of native Tasmania plants, native garden

walks, and the cultivation of edible plants to be used as ingredients for their “Pizza Mondays” – baked in a pizza oven they have built!

The work of the creative and prolific mosaic group of the Tolosa Park workshops is a feature of this LWB program. This is a small group program for up to eight people. Their latest team project is to collectively create a mammoth 120 cm by 90 cm mosaic landscape interpretation of their beloved garden surrounds, complete with sky, sun, flowers, trees, walkways and friendly insects and bugs. The group

RUSTIC ART THAT TELLS A STORY

simultaneously works on smaller mosaic pieces which they sell. Their consistent high standard makes all items sought after pieces by the local community.

“There are also increasing numbers of people who come out to our site at Tolosa Park to buy completed pieces or talk about commissioning pieces for special presents,” says LWB Program and Practice Specialist, Lexii Marquardt.

“The news about our mosaic crew is spreading fast so we suggest you get in quickly to order your precious piece of mosaic art before everyone finds out about us!”

LWB WELCOMES APPOINTMENTS TO THE AUSTRALIAN HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONThe office of the Federal Attorney General has announced three new appointments to the Australian Human Rights Commission. Mr Alastair McEwin as Disability Discrimination Commissioner, the Hon Dr Kay Patterson as Age Discrimination Commissioner, and Mr Edward Santow as Human Rights Commissioner.

The office of the Attorney General said these appointments will be for five years and ensure that the Australian Human Rights Commission has its full complement of Commissioners. Former

Disability Discrimination Commissioner and Life Without Barriers Board member Graeme Innes described the appointment of Alastair McEwin as “excellent”.

“My warmest congratulations to Alastair as the new Disability Discrimination Commissioner. He’s very well qualified for the role. As well as his role as Chairman of the Deaf Society, Mr McEwin is the Chairman of the Disability Council of NSW. He is a great advocate, very strategic, has lived experience of disability and has been involved in the sector for many years,” Mr Innes said.

Having previously held the position, Mr Innes described the decision as outstanding. “Forty per cent of complaints lodged with the commission relate to disability, so the appointment is very important,” Mr Innes said. “People with disability are 30 per cent less employed, and have half the HSC pass rate and 45 per cent live in or near poverty. To have a spokesperson at the commission is absolutely critical. Further, it will be very valuable to have an independent human rights voice to comment as the NDIS rolls out,” he added.

Clients of Life Without Barriers’ National Immigration Support Services (NISS) program enjoyed the music and dancing at this year’s Harmony Day celebrations (top), and were treated to a stellar performance by Adelaide United (bottom).

LWBs Salisbury Centre providing inclusive support

SPORT AND CULTURE FOR INCLUSIONLWBs National Immigration Support Service (NISS) team in Salisbury have been getting out and about in recent months, supporting asylum seekers and refugees to participate in the local community.

LWBs NISS Program supports asylum seekers and refugees who are living in the Australian community while their immigration status is resolved.

March was a busy month for the Salisbury Centre team: on 21 March staff and clients attended the City of Salisbury’s Harmony Day celebrations. The group were treated to a dazzling

display of music, dancing and storytelling from people from different cultures. Harmony Day is a national event held every year to celebrate Australia’s cultural diversity.

The Salisbury team and clients also enjoyed a day of A-League football at Coopers Stadium, which for many people was their first time at a large Australian sporting event. Adelaide United defeated the Central Coast Mariners in a spectacular 4-2 victory. The Salisbury Centre runs trips to the stadium at the end of each school term.

The trips are part of the Football Life Adelaide Program, an initiative giving local young people the opportunity to build ties within the community and build their confidence. The program is sponsored by Adelaide United Football Club and Adelaide City Council. Clients and staff from Salisbury also play soccer and futsal each week as part of Football Life Adelaide.

For many of the people we support, social and recreational activities like these provide a great opportunity to experience mainstream Australian life in a way they may not otherwise encounter, which greatly assists their integration and their sense of belonging.

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YOUTH EXTRAORDINAIREThe community gives back to its youth at the Broome Youth Week Awards.

“Youth Week was especially big in Broome this year, when LWB launched the inaugural Broome Youth Week Awards 2016 with the help of 8 local organisations to support the efforts of young people who have contributed to the improvement of communities and individuals.

Young people were recognised for their leadership, family support and community spirit, and rewarded thanks to generous sponsorship by local organisations.” The winners were announced at a ceremony on 15 April in

NATIONAL YOUTH WEEKNational Youth Week (NYW) is an annual, weeklong celebration of young people throughout Australia. A joint initiative of the National, State, Territory and Local Governments, NYW gives young people the opportunity to express their ideas and views, and act on issues that affect their lives. As part of this year’s NYW celebrations taking place during April, Life Without Barriers participated in a number of events across Australia.

Youth making an impact: winners of the LWB Broome Youth Week Awards 2016 proudly display their certificates

front of over 150 people in attendance.

“Local events like this take a huge amount of work and without the help of many different people volunteering their time and effort it would not have been possible,” says LWBs Broome Program and Operations Coordinator Nicholas Hosking.

“We have already been approached by several different organisations that would like to be involved next year and that look forward to these awards becoming an annual event.”

The impact of the LWB Broome Youth Week Awards however extends far beyond it being a day of recognition as ripples of its support for the youth continue to be visible. Local Aboriginal leadership organisation Aarnja provided the winner

of the Aboriginal Leadership Award with membership to its organisation, training and support expected to reach over $10,000 in value over the coming two years. LWB sponsored the Personal Achievement award and was delighted to be able to present an existing client with the opportunity to go on holiday with his grandmother.

YOUTHFUL IDEASYoung People with care and aftercare experience share visions for their future at Queensland Youth Forum.

Queensland’s Next Step After Care team has taken a lead role in developing an important youth forum in Ipswich, titled Future Building. The forum, which was held in partnership with the Ipswich Police-Citizen Youth Club (PCYC) on 14 April, was designed to ensure the voices of young people with a foster care or residential out of home care

experience, were heard for inclusion in the Queensland Government’s new Youth Strategy.

Matthew Bambrick, a former Next Step client and now CREATE young consultant, led 30 young participants through a morning full of ideas and inspiration. Next Step After Care is a highly successful LWB-led partnership that assists young people who are transitioning from care.

“It was an amazing morning,” said LWB Area Operations Manager, Dean Keep.

“The young people came up with some really ground-breaking work – ideas around bettering their own local area, with new town plans and school plans, but also ideas for the greater community, especially in the areas of environment and employment. I was really impressed with their thinking.”

Local Member for Ipswich West, Jim Madden MP, attended the forum, and was impressed by the many important things the delegates had to say. “Your input here today will make a difference, you can be sure of that,” Mr Madden told the young people.

“The Queensland Government is committed to capturing your thoughts and ideas in the new youth strategy. This is a plan for your future and you should be the people having your say.”

The Queensland Government is set to release the final version of the Youth Strategy later this year.

Musician Adam Spain Mostina captivates the audience with his tunes.

Street artist Jordan Bruce displays his artwork dedicated to the forum.

Life Without Barriers exhibition showcases artistic prowess. In March, 18 artists who use our services launched an exhibition to showcase their most recent work at the Moonah Arts Centre in southern Tasmania. LWBs art tutors Jane Stanton and Jeannie Mooney curated the exhibition that included paintings, prints and mixed media work.

“This is an exciting exhibition that highlights mature work as well as experimental processes across many mediums,” says Jeannie.

“We have an abundance of talented artists in our studios and we are grateful for this opportunity to showcase their work.”

The exhibition included paintings by Tim Warwarek who can spend up to 12 hours to create one of his intricate watercolour and ink paintings inspired by the movement and drama of dragons and comic book characters. Laura Graham’s oil and pastel drawings are saturated with intense colour and detail depicting castles, bikinis and love hearts. Laura says she makes art because she loves it.

With the artists’ level of dedication to their craft, which is evident in their finished work, it came as no surprise that the exhibition wall was dotted with little red circle stickers a mere hour after the opening, indicating that the art pieces were selling fast.

The exhibition, entitled Life Without Barriers: New Work ran from 18 March to 9 April this year at the Moonah Arts Centre, Moonah, Tasmania.

PROLIFIC PAINTERS

The Exhibition

The Moonah Arts Centre

Art on display at the Moonah Arts Centre

Art by Tim Warwarek

Art by Laura Graham

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PROLIFIC PAINTERS

Artists Pauline de Wit, Dennis Giles and Joanna Rigby each created their own unique pieces for the exhibition.

Outstanding ceramic artworks featured in scenic setting among the vineyards.

ART IN THE VINESA group of talented artists supported by Life Without Barriers (LWB) recently collaborated with ongoing partner acclaimed winemakers and restaurateurs the Josef Chromy Group to showcase their ceramic artwork in the community. The ‘Art in the Vines’ exhibition opened on 17 March to provide people living with a disability the opportunity to exhibit their work before the community of Launceston, Tasmania. The grounds of Josef Chromy provided a magnificent platform for the ceramic pieces and assisted in raising awareness on the talent of people living with disability.

“As you can see the ceramic program is inspired! It’s creative, colourful, tactile and multi-faceted, allowing clients with all levels of skill and ability to participate and achieve wonderful outcomes,” said local Occupational Therapist Sally Sauer.

“Tonight has enabled those artists to not only shine individually but collectively create this wonderful exhibition for us to enjoy. And how perfect for the artists to be able to present their ceramic art works and celebrate their achievements with family, friends and all, against this stunning backdrop,” said Sally.

Reach graduates have a lot to look forward to in terms of tertiary education opportunities and the promise of a brighter future.

REACHING FOR THE STARSLWB teams up with Western Sydney University to help young people in Out of Home Care pursue further education.

Research has shown that young people in Out of Home Care are less likely to undertake further education after leaving school. With this in mind, Western Sydney University’s Widening Participation Unit approached Life Without Barriers (LWB) to develop a program to encourage young people aged between 15 and 17 years, to consider university or other tertiary education.

Thirteen young people recently celebrated their graduation from the Reach program in a ceremony held at our LWB office in Baulkham Hills.

The Reach program encourages young people to continue with higher education by connecting them to a local university, building positive

self-esteem and showing them the opportunities tertiary education offers.

The recent graduates took part in a range of activities that exposed them to university life, programs and resources that could help to support them if they choose to go on to university study. Foster carers were also engaged, recognising the key role that parents and foster carers play in encouraging and supporting young people to aspire to higher education.

“There are so many barriers for young people considering university, from confidence to finances,” said LWBs NSW Director of Operations, Rod Best. “But key to making third level education accessible is creating support

networks so that people know that help is available to them throughout their educational journey.”

The three-month program included career coaching by Western Sydney University and working with other not-for-profit organisations Dress for Success and the Create Foundation. Digital solutions company CSA presented a HP tablet to each graduate to support their ongoing education. When asked about the key lessons they had come away with through their participation in the program, one graduate said: “Don’t doubt yourself,” while another pointed out that he learned that “there is more out there than you think.” Inspiring words from inspiring youth.

FIT FOR LIFE

Older Territorians are not about to pull any punches, literally.

Life Without Barriers and Aftercare open shared office in Busselton. Building on a strong partnership in the South West region of Western Australia, Life Without Barriers (LWB) and Aftercare have opened a new shared disability support and mental health service in the city of Busselton. LWB and Aftercare are both registered providers within the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). LWB has been partnering with Aftercare to support the communities of Busselton, Margaret River and Manjimup. We are excited to have expanded our work in this community, and look forward to supporting individuals through this community-based partner service. People living in the Busselton area can contact our new centre by calling (08) 9751 3881.

PARTNERSHIPS THAT BENEFIT COMMUNITIES

Representatives from local organisations attending the opening of the LWB and Aftercare Busselton office included Lamp Inc for mental health support, the Disabilities Services Commission, MAX Employment and Forrest Personnel, and local Wardandi man Josh Whiteland, also known by his traditional name of Koomal, gave a moving Welcome to Country.

Older Territorians are up to the fitness challenge.

During the first few months of 2016, Life Without Barriers’ Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) group in Darwin ran an eight-week health and fitness challenge. Eight older people took part in the challenge that included weekly group exercises to improve strength, functional movement, eye and hand coordination, joint movement, heart health, as well as arthritis prevention.

Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the exercise sessions and came away with an improved sense and feeling of wellbeing. During the program, to aid in their at-home efforts to better health, the participants received a take-home pack of information on nutrition and wellness, as well as a set of hand weights and instructions.

All participants commented on how this has become a positive addition to their daily lives and how they are feeling the physical and mental benefits of regular exercise. When asked about the degree of improvement in their general health and wellbeing after taking part in the program, they mentioned an overall improvement of up to 75%.

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Twenty four Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people recently joined Life Without Barriers carers and staff on a day-long journey full of life-shaping experiences as part of their ‘Introduction to Sacred Country’.

Held at Mount Yengo in the Lower Hunter Region of NSW, ‘Introduction to Sacred Country’ was a day of cultural awareness providing participants with a deeper sense of the meaning of Aboriginal Country, how Aboriginal people have connection to Country, and how to connect to Country.

Our Hunter Region Out of Home Care Aboriginal Cultural Support Planner Colin Walker arranged for the day of walking and exploration which took place with the authority of a Wonnarua Elder/Care Taker/Descendent, respected Aboriginal Community member Michael Heitmeyer who also led the group on their journey.

The young participants were excited to learn about the significance of the spiritual cleansing of the Smoking Ceremony, the protocols of visiting traditional country, and Aboriginal Lore and totems.

“The Introduction to Sacred Country highlighted the importance of walking and sharing the journey with our young people and of helping them maintain their connection to Country as we raise the next generation of Aboriginal Elders,” said Colin.

The day involved deeply significant experiences that are not only crucial to reconciliation but to providing care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children and young people. Among the unique experiences was learning of the traditional uses of the Bloodwood Tree in medicine and the important roles of all living creatures. Following a traditional spiritual cleanse, the group also visited the significant Aboriginal sites for the Wonnarua, Awabakal, Darkinjung, Worimi, Kamilaroi and Wiradjuri on a shared country/meeting place. Finally, the group visited the Family Caves and learned of the origins of the Rock Art within them, and explored historic rock engravings on the Site Map.

The children and young people’s Introduction to Sacred Country experiences included visiting the Mount Yengo lookout, learning about the traditional uses of the bloodwood tree and exploring the rock engravings of the historic site map.

CONNECTING TO COUNTRY

DISABILITY SERVICES

The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) will see people with a disability across Australia become more able to determine their own disability supports.This is a once-in-a-generation change for people with disabilities, and at Life Without Barriers we are excited to be able to support people through this transition.

LWB has been an approved provider in the NDIS trial sites, and so we have gained valuable experience in how to be ready to support people to transition during the NDIS full scheme roll out.

Our experience in the trial sites in the Hunter NSW, north and south Tasmania, Tenant Creek in Barkley Region NT, and through My Way in WA, has uniquely positioned us to see the benefits of the NDIS first hand.

From 1 July 2016 to the 30 June 2019, the full scheme will roll out across Australia. This will occur at different times across the country depending on the time and groups agreed between the Commonwealth and the relevant State or Territory government.

The following map and tables are designed to assist in understanding these time frames for roll out across Australia. LWB is committed to supporting people in this transition and we have included our contact details if anyone would like further information.

We’ve been supporting people with disability in various regions all over the state since 2002. Our services include accommodation support, personal support, respite services, community support, host family program and transitional services. Speak to us about how LWB can support you as an NDIS Approved Service Provider. Please contact our Queensland staff on 1800 792 359 and visit www.lwb.org.au/disability-services/our-services-by-location/qld-disability-services

Region When

*Townsville, Hinchinbrook, Burdekin, west to Mount Isa, and up to the gulf

1-Jul-16

Mackay, Isaac and Whitsundays 1-Nov-16

Toowoomba and west to the borders

1-Jan-17

Ipswich, Lockyer Valley, Scenic Rim and Somerset

1-Jul-17

Bundaberg 1-Oct-17

Rockhampton, Gladstone and west to the borders

1-Jan-18

Logan and Redlands, Cairns, Cassowary Coast, Tablelands, Croydon, Etheridge, Cape York, & Torres Strait, Brisbane Suburbs north and south of the Brisbane River, Fraser Coast, North Burnett, South Burnett, Cherbourg, Gold Coast, and Hinterland

1-Jul-18

Moreton Bay, including Strathpine and Caboolture, Sunshine Coast, Noosa, Gympie

1-Jan-19

1st July 2016 to 30th June 2019QLD1

Our client-directed disability support services started in Newcastle in 1994 and have continued to expand across New South Wales and all of Australia. As a launching trial site for the NDIS we’ve worked together with people in the Hunter region to thoroughly test the NDIS model for lifestyle and shared living supports, ready for Go Live. Please talk to us about how LWB could support you as an NDIS approved Service Provider. You can contact our New South Wales staff on the following numbers : Central Coast 02 4343 8830; Hunter 02 4918 4900; Northern Area 02 6625 8600; Southern Area 02 4260 2220; Sydney Area 02 9508 4000; Western Area 02 6394 9701 to find out more go to www.lwb.org.au/disability-services/our-services-by-location/new-south-wales-act

Region When

*Parts of Hunter New England District

1-Jul-13

*Nepean Blue Mountains 1-Jul-15

Central Coast, Northern Sydney, South Western Sydney, Southern NSW, Western Sydney, The remaining population of Hunter New England, Remainder of Nepean Blue Mountains

1-Jul-16

Illawarra Shoalhaven, Mid North Coast, Murrumbidgee, Northern NSW, South Eastern Sydney, Sydney, Western NSW, Far West

1-Jul-17

1st July 2016 to 30th June 2018NSW2

READY FOR THE NDIS

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Since 2009 we commenced supporting people with individualised support packages. We also support people with accommodation support services and host family options in Victoria. Contact our Victoria team on 03 8480 9600 to find out how we can support you as an NDIS Approved Service Provider, or visit www.lwb.org.au/disability-services/our-services-by-location/victoria-disability-services

Region When

North Eastern Melbourne 1-Jul-16

Central Highlands 1-Jan-17

Loddon 1-May-17

Ovens Murray, Inner Gippsland, Western District

1-Oct-17

Outer and Inner East Melbourne 1-Nov-17

Hume Moreland 1-Mar-18

Bayside Peninsula 1-Apr-18

Southern Melbourne 1-Sep-18

Brimbank Melton, Western Melbourne

1-Oct-18

Goulburn, Mallee, Outer Gippsland

1-Jan-19

1st July 2017 to 30th June 2019VIC3

Life Without Barriers has been providing disability support services in Western Australia since 2008, providing supported accommodation, respite, overnight support away from home, in-home support, intensive family support, personal support and domestic assistance; and arts, lifestyle and men’s shed programs. We also provide My Way services. Contact our Western Australia team about how LWB can support you on 08 9208 3450 and visit www.lwb.org.au/disability-services/our-services-by-location/western-australia

Region When

Swan, Kalamunda, Mundaring 1-Jul-14

Lower South West, Cockburn, Armadale, Murray, Serpentine-Jarrahdale and Kwinana (My Way WA trial site)

1-Oct-16

**Bayswater, Bassendean, Chittering, Toodyay, York, and Northam

1-Jan-17

1st July 2014 to 30th June 2017WA6

Our Tasmanian services have been supporting people with disability since 2007. Our services include accommodation support, leisure and life skills, community participation and mentoring support. Please let us know how you would like LWB to support you as an NDIS approved Service Provider. Speak to our Tasmania team on 03 6337 3800 for services in the north and 03 6236 7700 for services in the south or visit www.lwb.org.au/disability-services/our-services-by-location/tasmania-disability-services

Age When

4-11 years 1-Jul-17

29-34 years 1-Jan-18

0-3 and 35-49 years 1-Jul-18

50-64 years 1-Jan-19

1st July 2016 to 30th June 2019TAS4

In the Northern Territory, we supported the trial for rural and remote delivery of the NDIS, but we have been providing disability support services since 2005. Our services include accommodation support, personal support, respite services and transitional services. Contact our Northern Territory team on 08 8930 2300 to discuss how we can support you as an NDIS Approved Services Provider and visit www.lwb.org.au/disability-services/our-services-by-location/northern-territory

Region When

East Arnhem 1-Jan-17

Darwin Remote Region, Katherine Region

1-Jul-17

Darwin Urban Region, Central Australia Region

1-Jul-18

1st July 2016 to 30th June 2019NT7

Our services include accommodation support, personal support, community support, respite services, host family program and transitional services and creative arts program; all developed with the people we support since 2008.We would love to talk with you about how LWB can support you as an NDIS Approved Service Provider. Call our team on 08 8415 6900 or visit www.lwb.org.au/disability-services/our-services-by-location/south-australia

Region When

Barossa Light and Lower North, and Northern Adelaide

1-Jul-17

Limestone Coast, Murray Mallee 1-Oct-17

Southern Adelaide, Fleurieu Kangaroo Island, Eyre Western, Far North, Yorke Mid North

1-Jan-18

Western Adelaide, Adelaide Hills, Eastern Adelaide

1-Apr-18

Northern Adelaide 1-Jul-18

1st July 2017 to 30th June 2018SA5

LWB has been operating and supporting people with a disability in the ACT for over 10 years. Our services include Lifestyle and Shared Supports. As a NDIS approved Service Provider, LWB would love to answer any questions you have, and talk about how our services can meet your needs. For more information, please contact our ACT staff on 02 4260 2220 to find out more.

Region When

ACT* 1-Jul-14

KEY 1 All age groups in Queensland are covered. *Queensland aged 0-18 in Townsville are covered

from 1 April 2016 *Queenslanders aged 18-65 in Townsville are

covered from 1-Jul-16

2 All eligible residents in New South Wales and ACT are covered

*Parts of the Hunter New England District (Newcastle, Maitalnd, and Lake Macquarie) formed Trial Site

*Nepean Blue Mountains Trial for children and young people under 18 years of age

3 All eligible residents in Victoria are covered

4 NDIS will be rolled out in Tasmania according to age group

5 Adults aged 18-64 in South Australia are covered *Adults aged 18-64 in City of Tea Tree Gull will be

covered from 1-Oct-17 *South Australians aged 15-17 are covered from

1-Jan-17

6 NDIS sites in Western Australia under WA NDIS (formerly NDIS My Way)

**NDIS Sites in Western Australia under NDIA model (ages 0-65)

7 Trial sites in Northern Territory *Eligible in supported accommodation including

Commonwealth Residential Aged Care, will move to the NDIS earlier, starting 1-Jan-17 in Darwin Urban Region and 1-Jul-17 Alice Springs and Katherine

8 *For people up to the age of 65

NOTE: More information will be provided for WA as agreements are further developed between WA and the Commonwealth.

NOTE: Please consult the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) website for more information: www.ndis.gov.au

ACT81st July 2014

5MINUTES WITH BAHMAN AGHAEI

Life Without Barriers’ Bahman Aghaei has found a new home.

Once a refugee, Bahman recounts his journey from Iran to Australia, his dedication to Life Without Barriers and his aspirations for the future.How did you come to live in Tasmania?I came to Australia five years ago as a refugee from Persia (Iran). The Australian Navy found our boat adrift on the ocean. We had run out of food and water. I spent my first year in Australia at the Curtin Immigration Detention Centre in Kimberley, WA. I dreamt of going to one of the big cities when I got released from Curtin. I heard a lot of nice things about Sydney and Melbourne and decided I wanted to go there.

I met two officers at the Curtin Centre who now work for Life Without Barriers (LWB). I talked to them about my plans and they, being from Tasmania, told me about how a good place it is to live.

I was scared when I first arrived in Tasmania until some refugee support workers came to visit me and I slowly started to get more comfortable with my surroundings. This is now my home, I founded the Tasmanian Iranian Society and I arrange lots of community activities like sports competitions in which people of different cultural backgrounds participate.

How did you come to work for Life Without Barriers?As soon as my refugee status was resolved and I found out I could stay in Australia I felt grateful. My goal then became to do what I could to pay back the Australian community. I wanted to put my heart into a job that would help this country. So in 2012 I got a job with LWBs refugee program as a Cultural Support Worker.

Due to changes in the program I stopped working for LWB for a while but I always wanted to come back. The opportunity came in 2014 with the start of the youth program called ‘MyLaunchPad’. I was back to working with LWB as a residential support worker in the area of Out of Home Care, specifically in transitional rostered care for siblings and individual children.

What do you like most about working for Life Without Barriers?The whole team. Everyone is very friendly, it is like a family. They have all helped me so much. Everyone treats you the same and I feel safe to say what I think – here I can speak from my heart and feel respected. I like seeing kids being happier. One of the children has taken a liking to Persian food and sometimes helps me cook. I tell him stories about Iran and I think that him knowing that I too can’t see my mother and father helps a little.

What does the future hold?I want to keep working here at LWB for a long time. I think of it as a tree where I have built my nest, so why would I move to another tree? I will keep learning and make my nest bigger but I don’t want to change trees. As I learn and grow, I may do other jobs but I want to stay here at LWB. This type of work is in my heart now.

For a chance to find out more about the services that Life Without Barriers provides, we welcome you to visit one of our open days held at our multi-services hubs on the following dates at these locations:NSW: Thursday 7 July – 30 Cowper Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150 SA: Wednesday 13 July – 63 Commercial Road, Salisbury, SA 5108 VIC: Wednesday 20 July – Shop 5, 560-610 High Street, Epping, VIC 3076

Members of culturally and linguistically diverse communities are particularly welcome to attend Life Without Barriers Open Days.

OPEN INVITATION TO OPEN DAYS

18|19

Assistive technology and technical modifications help Steve get out and about.

CUSTOM-MADE CAREMany people with a disability can drive, access public transport or travel with friends to get out and about. Sometimes though people have additional mobility needs that make travelling by public transport or conventional vehicles challenging. Steve* is in this situation.

Following two years of advocacy, planning and customising, Steve recently received a purpose designed new Volkswagen Caddy which gives him much greater independence and control over his surroundings and allows him to keep accessing his community. The vehicle features special panelling to prevent Steve’s fingers from getting caught, safe windows to limit unwanted interaction with the vehicle’s exterior,

sturdier seats and fixtures to withstand force, a separate driver-controlled climate control system for the passenger and an easy to maintain interior.

The vehicle previously used by Steve required constant ongoing cleaning and repairs, which really limited his ability to be part of his community. The criteria for the new vehicle requested it be easily safe for the client and the driver but have minimum time off the road for repairs to keep Steve out and about.

“This vehicle will provide Steve with opportunities to participate in everyday life, while respectfully providing support for Steve’s specific needs,” said LWB Disability Team Leader SA Metro Leigh

Bateman. Steve and the team are clearly really pleased after such a long time in the planning. Steve celebrated the arrival of the van with his support team at Netley SA.

Assistive technology and technical modifications can make a huge difference to the lives of people with a disability. We are keen to explore any way technology can help those we support, like Steve.

*Not his real name.

This quarter LWB had the opportunity to share its research and knowledge at the 4th Annual Child Aware Approaches Conference in Brisbane on 23 and 24 May 2016. Our National Manager of Quality of Care Melinda Clarke gave a presentation on child safety, sharing LWBs approach on the issue – We Put Children First. We also had the opportunity to share our expertise in supporting young people moving from out of home care into adulthood with our National Director of Practice and Quality Mary McKinnon presenting on inspiring education aspirations in Out of Home Care.

Another exciting event we’re very proud to have supported was the 2016 Refugee Week on June 19-25 June. LWB sponsored Refugee Week and have been working closely with the Refugee Council of Australia both as a sponsor and committee member to help ensure its success. We also hosted our own Refugee Week celebrations at various LWB sites around the country.

We are honoured to be able to contribute to such important events.

LIFE WITHOUT BARRIERS OUT AND ABOUT

www.lwb.org.au

CONNECT, WATCH, LIKE AND FOLLOW LIFE WITHOUT BARRIERS. PLEASE ‘LIKE US’ ON FACEBOOK TO JOIN IN THE CONVERSATION AND SUPPORT THE ORGANISATION OR FOLLOW US ON TWITTER @LWBAustralia, WWW.LWB.ORG.AU, LINKEDIN, YOUTUBE AND INSTAGRAM.

LWB1

1022

LWB IN THE EYES OF OLDER PEOPLELife Without Barriers’ (LWB) local Aged Care teams received some heart-warming feedback about the supports we deliver.

The clients’* comments come as part of a service quality review that LWBs Aged Care program recently underwent in The Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. The review process was conducted by auditors from the Australian Government’s Australian Aged Care Quality Agency (AACQA) who assessed LWBs performance against the 18 Expected Outcomes of the Home Care Standards. In addition to meeting all 18 expected outcomes of the Home Care Standards, LWB staff received words of heart-warming praise from their clients, commending their efforts, including the following:

“Thank you LWB for your help in keeping me in my house. The young man who helps me smiles and does a great job cleaning and taking me shopping. I look forward to his visit every fortnight.” – Simon, Cairns QLD

“This service has changed my life. I am so pleased I applied for it. I’m nearly 83 years and it [has] changed my way of thinking.” – Karen, SA

“I am so happy with your service. My carer has given me a new lease in life. My family and friends can see how much your services has changed me. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.” – Mary, Far North Coast NSW

“I am very grateful for Life Without Barriers. I am always treated with respect and kindness (this is very important for elderly people), and my package is designed to be of the most benefit to me. My main carer is just wonderful, as is my Case Manager.” – John, VIC

“I am so pleased that Life Without Barriers exists or I would not be able to visit my husband when he is in hospital and take me to my doctor’s appointments and grocery shopping, etc. Without this lovely group I really wouldn’t know how I would survive everyday life.” – Greg, Darwin NT

“This service is great and the bus drivers look after us old folks like gold. Nothing is too much trouble for them to help. Appreciate the service.” – Tom, Mackay QLD

“During the last cyclone this year, LWB was to the forefront along with the Red Cross and others in helping those who needed help. I was one of those they helped, god bless them all. I find all your staff very helpful and courteous, a credit to their manager.” – Andrew, Rockhampton QLD

“Your service is all I ask for and more.” – Amanda, SA

“I have found LWB very easy to make plans with so we can remain in our own home together.” – Joanne, Far North Coast NSW

“We are made to feel important again. Not past our used by date.” – Carol, New England NSW

“Because I am sight impaired, Jane meets my needs very sufficiently. I am very comfortable with her and find her a pleasure to be with.” – Maria, VIC

“The service is punctual, reliable, respectful, and my requests are listened to.” – Frank, Alice Springs NT

“My service from Life Without Barriers has been excellent. They are caring, compassionate and most helpful.” – Anne, New England NSW

Visit our website www.lwb.org.au/agedcare for more information on our services for older people.*The names used are not the clients’ real names.