At the heart of flourishing communities
*Michael is an energetic and kind Aboriginal boy who was in Life Without Barriers care when the first wave of COVID-19 hit Australia.
Previously, during school holidays, Michael would travel back to his community to see his family, but this time public health orders meant his trip was cancelled.
This was very hard for Michael who thrives on his connection to family and culture.
LWB’s local team got together to brainstorm ways for Michael to still experience a ‘holiday’. They found a local foster carer who could give him that one-on-one connection over the school break. This helped create a wonderful ‘holiday’ experience that included games of basketball and fishing.
*Names have been changed.
Photo by Tom Briskey on Unsplash.
https://www.lwb.org.au/about-us/annual-reports/year-in-review/ Braddon Partnerships for learningSince 2018 Learning Links has been working in collaboration with experts in Aboriginal Education – including the NSW Aboriginal Education Consultative Group (AECG), to develop and deliver literacy and numeracy programs that support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children at a vital stage in their development.
Learning Links believes that our programs help bridge the gap between indigenous school students and their nonindigenous peers, through early intervention and collaboration with these communities.
Thanks to funding from generous supporters, including the Rali Foundation, CommBank Staff Foundation and the James N Kirby Foundation, we partnered in 2020 and 2021 with the Liverpool local AECG to deliver innovative early intervention programs for Aboriginal children in Years 1–4 at three priority schools in Liverpool.
The program targets professional development and learning for the Aboriginal Education Officers and Learning Support Officers at the schools. This broadens the impact and long-term outcomes realised and ensures that future students will have the opportunity to access an enhanced level of skills and understanding of the teachers and support staff working with them.
“We have seen amazing results! Students are confident, there has been an improvement academically, and there has also been an improvement in their wellbeing.” Ashcroft PS Principal.
https://www.learninglinks.org.au/ Fowler ‘Mary has really helped with reading, writing and spelling.’Charlotte found Learning Links thanks to her psychologist and an ABC documentary “Kids on Speed”, featuring one of our education experts.
In Year Two, she was enrolled in Learning Links’ speech therapy and education support sessions. Mary, one of our educational support specialists, was in constant communication with her teachers and other allied professionals to navigate the best way to help Charlotte.
Four years later, she has gained so much more confidence in herself and her own abilities. She can read and write at the level expected for her age and expresses herself clearly. Things like homework are less stressful, and her improvements have lowered the family's anxiety about her learning outcomes for the future.
We are so proud of Charlotte and what she has achieved. Here’s what she has to say about her sessions at Learning Links.
“My reading and spelling has improved. I like going to Mary because she is nice. She is a good teacher, and she has really helped me with reading, writing and spelling. She helps me with little tricks to help me read and spell.”
https://www.learninglinks.org.au/ Banks Maggie finally feels safeMaggie lived in a constant state of fear. At only 15-years-old, she was traumatised by the abuse she was experiencing at home. Throughout her childhood, she was victim to ongoing abuse by her stepfather, brother and uncle.
‘My mother told me she hated me, because I stole her boyfriend. I was eight years old,’ Maggie shared.
Maggie packed her school bag with her few belongings and fled. With nowhere to go, she spent her first night homeless.
Maggie was terrified, hungry, tired and knew she needed help. She contacted the Mission Australia Strong Families, Safe Kids Advice and Referral Line who connected Maggie with their Hobart Targeted Youth Support Service.
It was a call that changed her life. With stability, a strong support network and a safe home, she feels ready to pursue her passion for art. Her road to recovery is still ongoing, but Maggie finally feels safe.
https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/stories/safe-homes/homeless-at-15-maggie-s-s… Clark Lorraine’s storyLorraine and Louise hang out together, go to the park, watch people do tai chi and draw and paint together.
Louise says she gets a lot out of spending time with Lorraine, especially when they have a great day together.
Lorraine is a client of Life Without Barriers in Northern NSW.
Page Matthew’s big move
Matthew* lives in supported accommodation with Life Without Barriers as his support provider.
Matthew’s transition to greater independence was a big change for Matthew and his mum Kate, who had been Matthew’s primary carer for the first 17 years of his life.
Matthew is non-verbal, on the autism spectrum. Before he lived in supported accommodation, he relied on his mum for most daily tasks, including feeding and dressing.
Working closely with Life Without Barriers, Kate helped Matthew settle into his new supported independent living home.
Matthew is now an active participant in the house, feeding himself and enjoying the outdoors, including visits to the park.
*Names have been changed.
Photo by Lukasz Szmigiel on Unsplash.
https://www.lwb.org.au/about-us/annual-reports/year-in-review/ Warringah Rebuilding little lives
In 2021, the world watched as tens of thousands of children and families, fled their homes as the Taliban assumed power in Afghanistan.
Children as young as ten came to Australia unaccompanied and many are being supported by Life Without Barriers including connecting them to culture.
Rahim*, 11 yrs old is one of those children. The team took Rahim to an Afghan clothing store where he was able to buy clothes like what he would wear back home.
When Rahim emerged from the change room in his new outfit - joy and pride beaming off his face.
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the people we help.
https://www.lwb.org.au/news/rebuilding-little-lives-one-piece-at-a-time/ Fraser Vee turns her challenges into support for othersVee had been struggling with mental health issues for most of her youth. She felt like she didn’t fit in. She was skipping school due to her struggles with drugs and alcohol and was even hospitalised with self-harm injuries.
A social worker put Vee in touch with Life Without Barriers’ Ngatti House which provides community-based homeless youth services to young people.
Having successfully completed her time at Ngatti House, Life Without Barriers helped Vee transition into permanent housing with Housing Choices WA, where she still lives today.
Vee is now working with RUAH community services to support other people with similar experiences.
*Names have been changed.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash.
https://www.lwb.org.au/about-us/annual-reports/year-in-review/ Perth Keeping school communities safe onlineNational children’s not-for-profit, the Alannah & Madeline Foundation’s eSmart Schools framework was developed more than 10 years ago in response to schools’ expressed need for a positive and evidence-informed framework to address issues of bullying, online bullying and online safety.
More than 2,300 schools across Australia are currently participating in eSmartSchools and adopting best practices. Participating schools are from government, Catholic and independent sectors and include primary, secondary and combined schools.
The framework provides schools with the tools and resources required to build and maintain a positive culture of bullying prevention, and teachers are supported to champion respectful behaviours and educate students and parents in online safety.
All eSmart school communities embrace technology in a smart, safe and responsible way.
https://www.amf.org.au/news-events/latest-news/esmart-schools-explained/ Adelaide, Brisbane, Fenner, Melbourne, Sydney Greg's toymaking journey with Caringbah Craft CentreGreg is just one of the people who attends The Woodwork Shop for Disabled at Caringbah Craft Centre.
Greg loves going along to the workshop to sand, drill and plane timber. He hand-makes toys, including little robots.
Just from making these toys, Greg’s mobility has improved. His shaking has reduced by around 70 per cent.
The Caringbah Craft Centre was under threat from closure until a charity called Sylvanvale stepped in to save it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OuLd5upm08A Cook 'It was really scary not knowing where to go or what to do.'
When 19-year-old Saran was told not to come home, she panicked. It was Mission Australia in Canterbury-Bankstown that was there for her in one of her darkest moments.
As Saran walked through the door, she breathed a sigh of relief. Her initial fears were cast aside as she was met with a private room with fresh bed sheets, a toothbrush, a set of clothes and other essential hygiene items. She finally had safety and security, even if it was temporary.
Saran now has a part-time job, lives in affordable housing and plans to complete her course in Criminology this year.
‘I’ve made life-long friends from the refuge. Thank you for helping me. I would’ve had to stay on the streets if the team at Mission Australia were not there to help me.’
https://www.missionaustralia.com.au/stories/safe-homes/saran-s-story-kicked-out-… Watson Hope grows in Amar’s gardenRefugee *Amar spent many years in detention on Nauru after fleeing war torn Sudan. He was released in late 2020 and found that the confinement of the COVID-19 restrictions triggered feelings of anxiety. One morning, after praying, Amar decided to bring some joy back into his life with something he loved as a boy: flowers. Blue Mountains Refugee Support Group donated materials, Amar used his own money to buy seedlings and fertile land, and Life Without Barriers provided Amar with food so he was able to invest in his dream. Amar said this change to his routine saved his life by helping him keep his mind busy.
*Names have been changed to protect the identity of the people we help.
(Photo by Jonathan Kemper on Unsplash.)
https://www.lwb.org.au/services/refugees-and-asylum-seekers/ Hughes Creating a safer world for childrenThe Alannah & Madeline Foundation, whose purpose is to create a safer world for children, has seen continued demand for its services working with educators to help them recognise and respond to traumatised children.
The Foundation launched its Trauma Consultancy Service (TraCS) in 2019. Primarily funded through the Victorian Department of Education School Readiness Funding, this trauma-informed, relationship-based program sees the Foundation’s specialist family practitioners and trauma consultants work directly with educators in their kindergartens, childcare centres and classrooms.
They also provide opportunities for reflection to help educators continue to plan and support children who need it.
https://www.amf.org.au/what-we-do/early-years-trauma-consultancy-service/ Ballarat, Bendigo, Bruce, Calwell, Casey, Chisholm, Cooper, Corangamite, Corio, Deakin, Dunkley, Flinders, Fraser, Gellibrand, Gippsland, Goldstein, Gorton, Higgins, Holt, Indi, Isaacs, Jagajaga, Kooyong, La Trobe, Lalor, Macnamara, Mallee, Maribyrnong, McEwen, Melbourne, Menzies, Monash, Nicholls, Scullin, Wannon, Wills 'Working within an organisation that accepts, supports, understands and celebrates neurodiversity is wonderful.'When Corrina first started working at Life Without Barriers in 2012, she never expected to have so many opportunities.
Born with autism, Corrina knows how important it is to have a supportive employer who understands the many daily challenges she faces.
She says that she struggles with anxiety, being misinterpreted and compared to ‘neurotypicals’.
Starting out as a disability worker, Corrina has worked across multiple functions and different roles and is currently working as a Community Engagement Planning Officer.
She says that working within an organisation that accepts, supports, understands and celebrates neurodiversity is wonderful.
https://www.lwb.org.au/news/not-all-disabilities-are-visible-by-corrina-phillips… Adelaide, Barker, Boothby, Grey, Hindmarsh, Kingston, Makin, Mayo, Spence, Sturt Uli stars in ‘Life is a Battlefield’ on SBS
'Life is a Battlefield', a documentary featuring Uli Kaplan, who is in a supported independent living home provided by Life Without Barriers, premiered on SBS in December 2021.
Filmed over five years, 'Life is a Battlefield' shares the real story of feisty young adult Uli Kaplan, who faces everyday struggles with chronic illness, mental health issues, and a disability.
Unable to eat and with less than fifty percent of his lungs working, Uli shows through blunt humour and stubborn determination how people with a disability can thrive in whatever they choose to pursue.
‘Life is a Battlefield’ gives a genuine look into the often hidden day to day that so many individuals experience in living with chronic illness, mental health issues, or a disability. It tells a message of compassion, of trust, of care, of kindness, and how people with a disability have the right to live happy and meaningful lives just like anyone else. The documentary was produced and edited by Uli Kaplan and Michael Woods. Directed by Michael Woods, Michael ‘Bench’ Debevec was the art director and visual effects producer, with sound editing and mixing by Jacek Tuschewski. To find out more visit: https://lifeisabattlefield.org
Melbourne Nobody puts Damien in the cornerFew people can remain unswayed by Patrick Swayze’s smouldering moves in Dirty Dancing, and the residents at one Victorian Supported Independent Living (SIL) home were no exception.
While everyone in the house loved the movie, one housemate Damien decided to take it one dance step further.
Damien has Downs Syndrome as well as arthritis but that hasn’t stopped him pursuing his goal of dancing like Swayze.
His Life Without Barriers support team helped enrol him in ballroom dancing lessons.
He loves them so much that he is seeing a physiotherapist to help increase his movement.
https://www.lwb.org.au/news/nobody-puts-damien-in-the-corner/ Melbourne Within a week, Jayden had his first jobLike most school leavers, Jayden was eager to score his first job and start earning his own money.
This is a big deal for anyone but it was especially so for 19-year old Jayden who is Autistic and has Kyphosis (curvature of the spine).
After struggling to find work, Jayden and his family were referred to Young People’s Employment Pathways (YPEP), a new program offered by Life Without Barriers and JobLife Employment.
The YPEP team quickly identified opportunities within the Coles Inclusion Program wherein Coles supermarkets a recruit people with special needs. Within a week, Jayden had his first job as a trolley collector.
https://www.lwb.org.au/news/pathways-to-employment-jaydens-first-job-with-the-su… Perth Kevin hosts art fundraiser for his local communityKevin, who receives Supported Independent Living (SIL) and Support Coordination services from Life Without Barriers, used his creative talents to raise money for Life Without Barriers’ Aged Care services and the Baptist Care School Breakfast program.
Kevin hosted a special exhibition at The Shellharbour Club called ‘Art Without Barriers: Hosted by Kevin Burke’ where he sold artworks that he created during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
Prior to the pandemic, Kevin hadn’t picked up a paintbrush but, with the help of his support team, he started painting to pass the time.
What started as a casual pastime soon became a passion that culminated in a public exhibition.
https://www.lwb.org.au/news/kevins-art-exhibition-fundraiser-for-aged-care/ Whitlam Roylene scores her dream jobRoylene spent a lot of 2019 applying for jobs without any luck.
After some negative feedback, her mental health began to decline but then she spoke to a counsellor who referred her to Life Without Barriers' partner, Joblife Employment.
One week after her first meeting with them, Joblife hired her. The team saw the potential in Roylene right away and loved her enthusiasm.
She started in an administration position supporting the employment consultants. After 10 months, she was promoted to a full-time Employment consultant in the Wollongong office.
https://www.lwb.org.au/news/roylene-shares-her-journey-of-finding-meaningful-emp… Cunningham Chad teaches woodwork to people with disabilityEvery Tuesday morning on the beautiful Norfolk Island, Chad Pettet, Disability Support Worker for Life Without Barriers, opens the Norfolk Island Men’s Shed (NIMS) to conduct a special workshop.
Here, he teaches people with disability how to woodwork. He has two regular clients, Lleyton and Jayden, who attend twice a week. Both men have now learnt how to safely use power tools and enjoy turning basic slabs of Norfolk Pine into a finished product. In-between projects, the men play card games and darts with other NIMS members.
https://www.lwb.org.au/news/norfolk-island-mens-shed-with-chad/ Bean