Issue #14 Summer 2017 #14 04 09 10 19 FOSTER CARE THE NEXT WAVES WELCOME MOO-VEMENT STEP FOR ALL DINNER HELPS CAMPAIGN CONNECTIONS www.lwb.org.au WELCOME TO WE LIVE LIFE 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 the people we support and our services, and share inspirational stories from around the country. We also profile our Life Without Barriers teams, innovations and successes. Did you know, Life Without Barriers is also on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube and Instagram? Connect with us @LWBAustralia It has been a big year for Life with Cooks Hill Surf Lifesaving Club to build a more accessible and better Without Barriers helping beach community by increasing the ease thousands of people across of access for people with a disability to the beach (Waves for All – Pages 9 and the country. I am delighted 10); the closing celebrations around Life therefore to share with you Without Barriers spiritual home in Parry not only the final edition of Street, Newcastle (One Door Closes, Another Door Opens – Pages 13 and ‘We Live Life’ for 2017 but 14); and all of the colour, anticipation also our Annual Reports and excitement at the 2017 Life Without Barriers Employee Recognition Awards Highlights (2017 Annual (And the Winner Is – Pages 11 and 12). Report Officially Launched – It has been another big year in the Page 4) for the financial year. inclusion and diversity portfolio and so we also feature stories in this edition In the Summer edition of We Live Life about our Accessibility, Inclusion and you will meet Nick and Alex, who with Employment Plan on Page 7; Next Step the help of the NDIS and Life Without After Care’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Barriers are living independently, working, Islander Artwork Project on Page 8; and and flourishing (The Most Neat & Tidy Welcome Dinners for migrants, refugees, A MESSAGE House on the Block – Page 2); and meet asylum seekers and international students foster carers Gaz and Chel from Tasmania on Page 18. FROM OUR who have opened up their home to four children in long-term placement and And finally, we applaud and welcome one in respite care (Meet Gaz & Chel – results of the recent Marriage Law CHIEF Page 15) and dynamo Sarah Fox from Survey which saw more than 60% of Queensland who dispels the myths about Australians voting ‘Yes’ for marriage EXECUTIVE being a single foster carer (What Sort of equality. This result was rejoiced by our Person Would I be if I said NO to these staff throughout Australia, with many CLAIRE ROBBS Kids – Page 16). We also say thank you attending ‘Yes’ parties to hear the results and celebrate all of our foster carers with a and celebrate. full wrap-up of Foster Care Week on Pages We hope you enjoy reading this edition 5 and 6, and highlight an exciting and of We Live Life and the Annual Report innovative partnership between Ashgrove Highlights and look forward to sharing Cheeses and LWB to help recruit foster many more stories with you in 2018. carers in Tasmania (Foster Care Moo- vement Campaign – Page 3). My best wishes also for happy holidays and a joyful and safe festive season. This edition also features three recent major events at Life Without Barriers – the Waves for All partnership and launch 2|3 THE MOST NEAT & TIDY HOUSE ON THE BLOCK Pictured – (left to right): Nick Heames, Jess Baker, Alex Walker. Photo Credit: Bec Lewis – www.blimaging.com.au On a sunny Launceston morning we visited the beautiful modern (and neat as a pin) home of two Life Without Barriers clients. We were told that two young men lived there – I couldn’t believe my eyes! Surely they were wrong... Meet Nick and Alex! Nick and Alex met at The Hub (a social works a few days a week in a local bakery When Jess talks about Nick and Alex meeting space for young men with a as a kitchen hand and loves it. she beams, “They are two very strong disability) and soon realised they had characters who love to have fun, but they Alex is the more outgoing and cheeky! similar interests. They developed a fast are also striving for goals. They are now He has a keen interest in all things music friendship, and this resulted in them living independently and are ambitious and movies, and when in conversation exploring accommodation options and young men – which is my favourite part can be quite the poet. He also possesses eventually moving into together. Prior of working with them. Both the guys are impressive chef skills – as demonstrated to the big move, Nick was living with his very different which brings great balance during our visit. Alex also works a couple parents and Alex was in a group house and harmony to the house.” of days a week at Bluegum, which he really with another service. enjoys as he loves being outdoors. This is a living example of the NDIS, One of Nick and Alex’s Life Without and associated support agencies like Life When you ask Nick about living with Alex Barriers mentors, Jess, says “This Without Barriers, giving independence he says, “We get along really well and we opportunity for the guys originated from and choice to young people living with a have bonded. I have really liked getting to a blossoming friendship and strong disability. know more about him.” connection. It works because their Moving into the future, I asked Nick personalities really complement one Nick also loves food and says he enjoys and Alex what they hoped for. Nick said, another.” “penne sausage pasta and shepherd’s “I hope to still be living here in 12 months’ pie” the most. He says that he and Alex With the support of their families and Life time, get more independent, and improve also love watching movies and enjoying Without Barriers mentors, the transition my cooking skills.” adventures outdoors as housemates. into independent living has been a great Alex said, “I would like to continue to success and relatively smooth sailing. When you ask Alex about living with Nick live independently and reduce the need When you met these two lovely guys you he says, “Nick is really sporty and I love for mentors and support. Life Without can see why. how he brings so much energy to life. He Barriers and our parents have been so encourages me. He is an inspiration to Alex and Nick have a roster of domestic supportive and great, but the aim is to me and everyone around him. We are the tasks, cooking duties, and fun activities all definitely live completely independently.” perfect match as housemates.” planned out and stuck on the fridge. They Jess finishes by saying, “The guys both also have a lot of their own time to go to In their spare time Alex says, “We love have really exciting and bright futures. work and pursue their individual interests. going out with Jess and other mentors and They already have better social lives that doing social activities.” Nick, the quiet achiever, is a keen me, they’re flourishing, and doing an sportsman and has won numerous When you ask them both about their amazing job. At the moment their future trophies for basketball, soccer and tennis. Life Without Barriers mentor Jess they say, is anything they want it to be.” He didn’t miss a single hoop in the “She is fun, has heaps of energy, helps us I think that says it all. backyard while I was watching. Nick also with some chores, listens to us, and is… LOUD!” ;) Photo Credits: Rob Burnett and Roy Thomas FOSTER CARE MOO-VEMENT CAMPAIGN An exciting partnership to drive Foster Care recruitment in Tasmania between Life Without Barriers and Ashgrove Tasmanian Farms Demonstrating an uncanny knack for “Gaylene’s rationale was that everyone “Ashgrove proposed the neck tie concept recognising a good thing, Life Without buys milk, in particular families and and Case Manager, Chris Steele, proposed Barriers staff in Northern Tasmania carers, and what better way to get the the Foster Care Moo-vement slogan. Our have developed one of the most original message out in to the community. Her marketing team responded quickly and and unusual foster carer recruitment proposal even came complete with a ran with this idea.” campaigns in the organisation’s history. sample product!” Looking very dapper, 10,000 necktie- Joining with Tasmanian dairy and cheese- Working together, Case Work Manager, wearing Ashgrove milk bottles went out making icon – Ashgrove, the Northern Sarah Pyka led the project – developing and into shops state wide as part of the 2-week Tasmanian team developed and delivered managing a partnership with Ashgrove, “Moo-vement” drive as part of Foster Care their highly successful “Foster Care who were very passionate about supporting Week in September. Moo-vement” campaign with milk bottles the community that supports them. The end result for Life Without Barriers wearing neck ties coinciding with this The dairy producer also found the initiative and Ashgrove was a hugely successful year’s Foster Care Week. was very much in line with their ethos. Foster Care campaign with a significant Regional Manager, Northern Tasmania, peak in enquiries during this time, as Melinda said the original concept was Melinda Ferrier said the concept for the those contemplating becoming foster for labels to be placed on the milk campaign came from the minds and carers did something about it.