WE’RE IN YOUR CORNERRECOGNISING AND REWARDING OUR VALUED PEOPLE

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03NATIONAL CARER AWARDS

04EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS

11LOOKING TO NEW HORIZONS

07NDIS FIRST ANNIVERSARY

Issue #3 September 2014

Our 20th anniversary year is shaping up to be the most dynamic year ever at Life Without Barriers.

A MESSAGE FROM OUR CHIEF EXECUTIVE, CLAIRE ROBBS

It is most certainly a year of new beginnings with a new awards program, emerging partnerships and resounding achievements.

Of particular note was the inaugural Employee Recognition Awards, held in July to recognise and celebrate outstanding employees.

The awards were an important milestone in Life Without Barriers journey. Our new National Carers Awards in November will be another.

These are an important complement to our annual National Disability Services Achievements Awards in December.

Our awards ceremonies reflect the importance we place on our values at Life Without Barriers; and our focus on the importance of people and relationships

In this edition of We Live Life we shine the spotlight on some of our recent achievements. We hope you enjoy reading about those who through their passion and commitment partner with others to change their lives for the better.

Each edition we’ll publish articles about how we’re working with clients, improving the way we do business and share inspirational stories. We will also profile our Life Without Barriers teams, innovations and successes.

Did you know, Life Without Barriers is also on Facebook and Twitter @LWB Australia? Please ‘like us’ to join in the conversation and support the organisation.

to achieve the effective delivery of our community services in more than 250 communities across Australia.

In this edition of We Live Life we celebrate the many activities taking place under the Life Without Barriers umbrella across Australia every day.

Many of these activities have been made possible through our close working partnerships with community, government and private organisations who recognise our work to improve the lives of all people.

In July we also hosted the first year anniversary celebrations of the National Disability Insurance Scheme in the Hunter region. Life Without Barriers has undertaken a significant role in the NDIS pilot programs.

WELCOME TO WE LIVE LIFE

We were also proud to celebrate the launch of our New Horizons program, made possible through our partnership with the People’s Choice Credit Union and the launch of our Youth Advocate Program pilot; and we officially opened our new supported accommodation at Labrador, the Gold Coast, Queensland and Whittlesea, north of Melbourne, Victoria.

These fantastic new facilities will improve the lives of people with a disability by offering more opportunities to fully participate in their community.

Before closing, I’d like to thank all Life Without Barriers staff and carers for the outstanding work they do in communities across Australia.

NEW NATIONAL CARER AWARDS CELEBRATE QUIET ACHIEVERSOn Sunday 17 August 2014, Life Without Barriers, in partnership with Carers Australia and Families Australia, launched the new National Carer Awards.

The National Carer Awards 2014 recognise and reward the contribution of young carers, foster and kinship carers as well as those caring for older Australians and people living with a disability.

The establishment of these Australia-wide awards has been supported through funding from the Federal Government and generous contributions from our corporate partners.

There are more than 2.7 million carers in Australia, of which 770,000 are primary carers, often looking after someone in need around the clock. These carers are unpaid, and the people they are caring for often have complex needs.

The contribution is both socially and economically significant with an estimated 1.2 billion hours of care provided each year equating to $30.5 billion in services provided annually.

Claire Robbs, Chief Executive, said, “Carers are a vital part of Australian society providing physical, social, cultural and emotional support to the people in their care, even when confronted with quite difficult circumstances.

“Carers provide a level of independence and quality of life that many people living in our community simply could not achieve on their own.”

Ara Creswell, Chief Executive Officer, Carers Australia said, “The significant role that carers perform in the community often goes unrecognised and undervalued, yet for many Australians who need support, those carers often prevent early or unnecessary entry into institutional care.”

Brian Babington, Chief Executive Officer, Families Australia said, “Through the awards, we hope to shine a light on these quiet achievers in community care and provide hope and inspiration to all Australians.”

Australians are being encouraged to show their appreciation for the significant contribution that carers make to the Australian community by nominating a carer who they believe is making an exceptional contribution to the person or people they support.

Winners will be chosen from each of the four categories: foster and kinship carer; carer of an older Australian; carer of a person with disability; and young carer aged 25 years and under.

Carers eligible for these awards should be full-time carers in an unpaid capacity (but may be receiving carer-related government payment or a reimbursement), looking after a person who requires long-term support in one of the categories.

Nominations are now open and will close on Sunday 21 September, with national winners being announced on Sunday 16 November 2014. To nominate a carer please visit the National Carer Awards website www.carerawards.com.au

WE WELCOME YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE NATIONAL CARER AWARDS – WE’RE PROUD TO CHAMPION OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL!

EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS RECOGNISE OUR CHAMPIONSOur inaugural Employee Recognition Awards, held on Tuesday 22 July 2014, saw 12 exceptional individuals and work groups step up and receive accolades from their peers.

THE EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS 2014 HONOURS LIST

Representatives of our Board and executive were honoured to present awards to many of our quiet achievers, who are key to delivering vital services to supporting the improvement of lives all over the country and who demonstrate our values in action.

The awards celebrated our pride in our people and reflected the full scope of community services we now provide at Life Without Barriers.

Life Without Barriers now supports more than 5500 clients in more than 250 communities across Australia and it is thanks to the dedicated efforts of individuals and work groups that these people are getting the support they need and want.

Our Employee Recognition Awards provided a timely opportunity to recognise and reward professionals on the frontline and the driving force behind the hundreds of success stories being created every day.

Elizabeth (Libby) Richardson of Life Without Barriers Tasmania won the Breakthrough Award for establishing Tasmania’s School and Family Disability Liaison and Mediation Service in 2010. The focus of the service is delivering sustainable educational outcomes for children with disability, through problem solving between parties. Over 12 months Libby supported 39 cases involving 35 families, 32 schools, and collaborated with 23 community agencies and services across all major Tasmanian cities as well as rural, regional and isolated areas. An additional 147 advisory services were also delivered throughout the year.

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Our Life Without Barriers supported accommodation team at Hyde Street, Hadfield, Victoria won the Excellence in Service Award for their delivery of compassionate services.

Our Clinical Team at Western Australia led by Eimear Quigley won the Excellence in Service Award for their delivery of specialised and professional services.

Life Without Barriers, Wollongong, Street Soccer Program won the Community Connect Award for the soccer program which was developed by Martin Levy, residential support worker and Alicia Pearson, program manager in partnership with The Big Issue and the local Police Citizens Youth Club.

Kyp Boucher, Area Operations Manager at Mental Health, Immigration and Country Services, South Australia won the Chief Executive Award for High Achievement for her significant contributions to the development of Life Without Barriers mental health programs.

Life Without Barriers National Disability Insurance Scheme Transition Team for the Hunter region including Barbara Dow and Leanne Webber won the Chief Executive Award for High Achievement for their work in establishing the NDIS in the Hunter region.

Sarah Galbraith, acting Operations Manager at Life Without Barriers, Beenleigh, Queensland, won the Excellence in Service Award for demonstrating stability and leadership during times of change.

Our Life Without Barriers early child care centres at Minjilang on Croker Island and Lajamanu on the edge of Tanami Desert won the Reconciliation Award for the delivery of high quality, culturally sensitive early learning and development programs.

The Support for Refugees and Asylum Seekers team, Sydney, won the Breakthrough Award for their consolidation of refugee and asylum seekers services.

Rebecca Sanciolo, South West, Western Australia won the Community Connect Award for her key role in setting up community vegetable gardens across Bunbury.

The Connect 4 and Payroll team won the Excellence in Service Award for their work in streamlining payroll, human resources, timesheet, roster and labour management processes through the implementation of technology.

Team Kowanyama won the Reconciliation Award for their outstanding ability to connect the people we support with their biological and extended families and remote communities as part of the Coming Home project.

THE EMPLOYEE RECOGNITION AWARDS CELEBRATED OUR PRIDE IN OUR PEOPLE AND REFLECTED THE FULL SCOPE OF COMMUNITY SERVICES WE NOW

PROVIDE

SUPPORTING INDEPENDENCE OF YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY IN MELBOURNE’S NORTHAt Whittlesea, north of Melbourne, a new partnership between Life Without Barriers and Active Community Housing Ltd is providing more opportunities for young people with disability to live independently.

On Friday 18 July 2014 we opened a new five-person supported accommodation service thanks to $1 million in capital funding from the Australian Government’s Supported Accommodation Innovative Fund (SAIF) to Active Community Housing to develop the property, and $3 million over three years from the Victorian Government for Life Without Barriers to manage the house.

Life Without Barriers Chief Executive, Claire Robbs, highlighted how this form of tailored housing and support model is in line with the National Disability Insurance Scheme aspirations for young people to have every opportunity to leave their family homes and be supported to have an independent life in the community.

“ This is a fantastic new facility that will improve the lives of people with a disability by offering more opportunities to fully participate in their community ”

“This project is the evidence of what can be achieved for the community when we work together. These young people will rent their own permanent, affordable unit as they transition to adulthood, with 24 hours support staff available on site.”

Senator Mitch Fifield, Assistant Minister for Social Services, said “I congratulate Life Without Barriers and Active Community Housing for the important work they do in helping to break down the barriers to independence that people with disability often face.

“It is projects like these that help to ensure people with disability can receive the support they need to more fully participate in economic and community life.”

Chris Glennen, Chief Executive Officer, Active Community Housing said, “The funding we received for this project provided a great opportunity to design and build homes for people with disabilities to live with maximum independence in the community.

“Five young people with complex needs will call this place home, living in brand new one or two bedroom units,” Chris said.

“We look forward to working on more projects like this that support people to live independently in the community as the National Disability Insurance Scheme continues to roll out.”

Victoria’s Minister for Disability Services and Reform, Mary Wooldridge, said the new homes were delivered as part of a $30 million investment from the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments.

“This is fantastic for the residents of the new homes, who will receive 24 hour support in an environment that promotes their independence and participation in their local community.

“Planning for these homes commenced as part of the Victorian Government’s commitment to deliver better and more innovative supported accommodation options for people with a disability,” she said.

Carers of children and young people with disability in Sydney will soon enjoy extra support through a Life Without Barriers mentoring program, being funded by the New South Wales Government’s Department of Family and Community Services.

Our Carer Mentor Support Network will connect more experienced carers of children or young people with disability with less experienced carers to achieve their goals.

The mentoring program has been developed to provide training and skills development to up to 19 carers at any given time, to support them in their mentoring role.

The program will focus on building resilience and increasing carer confidence to access information and resources. It will also identify, create and maintain natural and community-based support opportunities.

Mentors will work individually with their partner carer and adopt a person-centred approach to providing support. Through training carers to mentor their peers, the Carer Mentor Support Network is ensuring the cycle of support continues.

MENTORS FOR CARERS OF CHILDREN AND YOUNG PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

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FIRST YEAR ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS OF THE NATIONAL DISABILITY INSURANCE SCHEME

A morning tea at Lake Macquarie, in the New South Wales Hunter region, marked a year since the scheme was rolled out at the initial pilot sites.

At Life Without Barriers we are excited about the opportunities this brings for our operations to deliver person-centred services and self-directed packages for people with a disability.

Lauren Murray, New South Wales Director, was host of the celebration, attended by more than 50 people with disability who have firsthand experience of the NDIS.

Christine Conway talked about how her life had been transformed by her new Life Without Barriers service arrangements, thanks to the NDIS. Robert Westgarth was also on hand to take part in Questions and Answers panel with Theo Gruschka, from Life Without Barriers, Hunter Area.

The morning tea was attended by John Ajaka, New South Wales Disability Services Minister, Jim Longley, Chief Executive, Ageing, Disability and Home Care, David Bowen, Chief Executive Officer, National Disability Insurance Agency, Nick Gleeson, Ability Links Ambassador, Garry Edwards, Swansea MP and representatives from Ability Links NSW and St Vincent de Paul.

Life Without Barriers is currently participating in pilot sites of the program at Hunter, New South Wales, Perth Hills, Western Australia, the Australian Capital Territory and Tasmania.

The NDIS will be fully implemented across Australia by 2018.

The scheme provides for people up to 65 years old who have a significant permanent disability with direct access to a pool of funds. Each person’s budget for services and support is based on an assessment of their needs, for now and for their future development and wellbeing.

Theo Gruschka, Disability Practice and Program Specialist, Life Without Barriers hosted a Question and Answer panel with NDIS and Life Without Barriers clients, Christine Conway and Robert Westgarth.

Jim Longley, Chief Executive, Ageing, Disability and Home Care at NDIS first year anniversary celebrations.

On Wednesday 16 July 2014 Life Without Barriers hosted the first year anniversary celebrations of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS).

Fiona Moriarty, Project Coordinator, Aboriginal Driver Training and Education Program, Kimberley.

YOUNG PEOPLE AT NGATTI HOUSE ENJOY TOUR OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA In July ten young people from Ngatti House took to the road for a five day camping trip.

Ngatti House is a Life Without Barriers residential accommodation at Fremantle for young people with mental health issues.

The house has been open since 2010, and provides safe and friendly accommodation and support for 16 young people aged from 17 to 22 years for up a year.

As part of the Ngatti House commitment to providing daily living support to young people within a framework of recovery, the Life Without Barriers support team also provides recreational opportunities.

“Setting out from Fremantle on Saturday 5 July 2014 the group enjoyed a range of experiences from overnight bush camps to luxury resort accommodation while they travelled south west to Albany, Pemberton and Brusselton,” Natasha Campbell, Team Leader.

“Every year a sightseeing excursion of Western Australia is organised by Life Without Barriers staff and carers, and this year highlights included a treetop tourist walk and visit to farm chalets at Pemberton, and tour of the Ngilgi Caves.”

LIFE WITHOUT BARRIERS DELIVERS FOR WESTERN AUSTRALIA

WORKING WITH YOUNG PEOPLE DOING IT TOUGHAt Life Without Barriers our youth justice services support young people to break the offending cycle and become valued members of the community.

In the Kimberley region of Western Australia, the Life Without Barriers team members deliver individualised support to young people at risk of entering prison and helps those leaving custody to return to living more independently in their community.

Fiona Moriarty, Project Coordinator, Kimberley recalls the assistance she gave to a young woman who had left prison at Derby to more fully engage with the community.

“It was very rewarding to support this young woman, who had begun to develop agoraphobia, to integrate more fully into her local community,” Fiona said.

“ That she is now looking for job opportunities and has made future plans is an indication that the support Life Without Barriers has given is making a difference.”

DRIVER TRAINING AND EDUCATION AT BROOME, KALGOORLIE AND THE DAMPIER REGIONSince early 2013 Life Without Barriers has been coordinating an Aboriginal Driver Training and Education Program for people in Western Australia at Broome, Kalgoorlie and the Dampier Peninsula.

The program targets people with a history of driving offences and is part of a diversionary program to support participants to become valued members of the community.

Tony Sibosado, Aboriginal Program Manager, and Fiona Moriarty, Project Officer, held community barbecues in June 2014 as part of their recruitment and engagement with participants in the program.

“Delivering an Aboriginal Driver Training and Education Program in Western Australia is part of our services to improve and enhance the lives of the people we support,” Tony said.

“Obtaining a driver’s licence goes a long way towards improving the ability of the people we support to participate in the workforce and engage more fully in their local community.

“All people need the basics – transport, housing, education and training – to enjoy life’s opportunities and to reach their potential.”

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FIVE MINUTES WITH EDWARD (ED) BIRTArea Operations Manager, Southern New South Wales and Australian Capital Territory

When and why did you join Life Without Barriers? June 2006, I liked the energy, values and diversity of the organisation so I jumped at the opportunity and the rest is history.

What do you enjoy about your work with Life Without Barriers the most? Working with an awesome team and the great privilege of working with the people we support who are amazing and inspiring every day.

What profession other than your own would you consider? Photojournalism. I am a photographer and writer and I studied journalism for a time.

What is your favourite food? I love Mexican and good Thai though anything delicious without animals in it is good (I’m vegetarian).

Do you have a favourite word or phrase? It’s called work for a reason.

What do you like to do outside of work? Spend time with my amazing and hilarious son Albert (four years old).

Do you have any hidden talents we should know about? I can juggle (badly).

What inspires you? Life; and people’s potential, resilience and capacity to adapt and overcome challenges.

What sound do you love and why? My son Albert’s infectious laugh.

As a registered training organisation (RTO), Life Without Barriers is accredited to deliver nationally recognised qualifications and skill sets to staff, clients and others.

We offer a flexible delivery model to support individual’s learning styles and work commitments, including classroom-based, online, and correspondence delivery.

Each learner is supported by both a supervisor in their workplace and an industry experienced trainer and assessor to guide and assess their results.

For aged care workers, a Certificate III and Certificate IV Home and Community Care can be studied with a number of specialised Aged Care electives chosen in areas such as dementia, palliative care and supporting older people to maintain independence.

Employees are encouraged to discuss their qualification selections with their supervisor and clients are advised to discuss their study with the program that is supporting you.

For more information please email or call the RTO Training Coordinator, Life Without Barriers at rto.learning@lwb.org.au or phone (02) 4033 4576.

OBTAIN YOUR NEXT QUALIFICATION THROUGH OUR REGISTERED TRAINING ORGANISATION

SUPPORT TO OBTAIN YOUR QUALIFICATIONSNew and existing employees of Life Without Barriers may be eligible to study for an accredited qualification through a traineeship or other state funds which can be accessed through the RTO should you be eligible.

As a Life Without Barriers employee, if you are not eligible for a traineeship or other funded training your Operations Manager may decide to fund your study and it is also possible for you to self-fund your study.

If you receive the services of Life Without Barriers, a program may be able to fund you or it is also possible for you to self-fund to study with us.

The Australian Government’s Australian Apprenticeships Incentives Program also has a range of incentives that may help you study if you are eligible.

QUALIFICATIONS THAT ARE NOW AVAILABLE THROUGH LIFE WITHOUT BARRIERS ARE:• Certificate I Work Preparation –

Community Services • Certificate II Community Services • Certificate II Aboriginal and, or, Torres

Strait Islander Primary Health Care • Certificate III Community

Service Work • Certificate III Home and

Community Care • Certificate III Disability • Certificate III Health Support Services • Certificate IV Frontline Management • Certificate IV Home and

Community Care • Certificate IV Disability • Certificate IV Mental Health • Certificate IV Community Services

Work • Certificate IV Child, Youth and

Family Intervention • Certificate IV Youth Work • Diploma Disability • Diploma Community Services Work.

Providing the right care, in the right way at the right time underpins Life Without Barriers approach which is why we are so pleased to be participating in the Queensland Government’s Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Trial 2013–2014.

SUPPORT FOR CARERS AND CLIENTS IN TOWNSVILLE

Through the trial, Life Without Barriers has obtained funds to purchase a block of units in Townsville, north Queensland, to support people with a disability to transition from receiving care from their elderly parent to living more independently in the community.

Manager, Business Development and Innovation, Anne Wemyss, said the units would provide accommodation for four people with a disability, carers and four private tenants to support greater integrated community-living as well as 24 hour support.

“Life Without Barriers will ensure that two of the ground floor units are wheelchair accessible to broaden the mix of people in the accommodation,” Anne said.

Queensland Disability Services Minister Tracy Davis said the Life Without Barriers partnership with the Queensland Government was welcome news for Townsville families.

“Our government has a strong plan for a brighter future and we are preparing Queenslanders with a disability, their families, and their carers to transition to the National Disability Insurance Scheme,” Ms Davis said.

“We are delivering on our promise to revitalise frontline services for families and this trial aims to provide a wider range of accommodation options for adults with disability who have parents aged over 60 years.

“It’s reassuring news for elderly parent carers, knowing projects like these will help provide accommodation solutions to their loved ones, so they can live the life they choose,” she added.

The project aims to support people with a disability to transition to an environment which promotes individual decision making and active community participation.

The units will be connected to high speed broadband to enable a range of assistive technologies to be delivered, as required.

Electronic equipment will also be installed in the property to monitor movement so that service users can get assistance when they need it and to keep them safe; and a caretaker will look after gardening and maintenance at the units, as well as assisting residents in the event of an emergency.

“It’s reassuring news for elderly parent carers, knowing projects like these will help provide accommodation solutions to their loved ones, so they can live the life they choose,” said Anne.

The Elderly Parent Carer Innovation Trial 2013–2014 aims to support people with a disability to participate more fully in their community while continuing to ensure existing supports and services are delivered.

This includes daily assistance for household duties, recreation, supported employment and training, shopping, appointments and visiting friends.

Life Without Barriers will fully assess how people participating in the project can receive support as needed for mobility, sensory requirements and other aids for daily living.

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Young people in Adelaide leaving foster care now have extra support to live independently thanks to Life Without Barriers New Horizons program and People’s Choice Credit Union.New Horizons, launched in the Adelaide suburb of Netley in South Australia on Tuesday 15 July, supports young people from 15 to 25 years of age transition from out of home care.

It has been made possible through a sponsorship agreement between Life Without Barriers and People’s Choice Credit Union.

Life Without Barriers National Executive, Tracy Mackey, thanked People’s Choice Credit Union for undertaking a two year sponsorship of the New Horizons program.

“This sponsorship agreement has enabled the appointment of a full-time Leaving Care Coordinator to run our New Horizons program at Adelaide,” Tracy said.

“Already our Coordinator is helping young people to develop plans for their future and develop the confidence and skills to help them make important decisions such as where they will live, study and work.

LOOKINGTO NEW HORIZONS

“As part of the sponsorship we also plan to expand our New Horizons program further across South Australia and into the Northern Territory,” Tracy said.

Peter Evers, Managing Director of People’s Choice Credit Union, also addressed the launch saying that the credit union takes great pride in supporting the economic and social wellbeing of our members and the community.

“Our members and staff have told us that they want us to help young people achieve a brighter future, and Life Without Barriers has an impressive record of achieving just that,” Peter Evers said.

“I’m very proud that People’s Choice is embarking on this innovative community partnership with Life Without Barriers in South Australia, and look forward to seeing its expansion into the Northern Territory in the future.”

Life Without Barriers Chief Executive, Claire Robbs said, “Young people leaving foster care are at a high risk of social exclusion and can experience significantly higher rates of homelessness, contact with the criminal justice system, unemployment, mental illness and drug and alcohol misuse.

“New Horizons creates a unique opportunity to extend service supports and ensure continuity of care for Life Without Barriers clients. The full-

time employment of the Leaving Care Coordinator was only possible through the generous backing of People’s Choice.”

Funding from People’s Choice will support young people, with the guidance of the Leaving Care Coordinator, to develop and build practical independent living skills and assist them to locate and engage with relevant community groups and services to make a successful transition to independence.

The Leaving Care Coordinator will be working with both Families SA and Life Without Barriers Out of Home Care program team to facilitate the best outcome for these young people.

“Other relevant services within Life Without Barriers, such as foster care and their support workers, as well as departmental case workers, need to work in partnership to ensure the success of an out of home care placement, and continue working together to plan and transition a young person to independence,” Claire said.

Life Without Barriers South Australian State Director, Jane Longbottom, Area Operations Manager, Sheena Gray, and representatives of community and government agencies attended the launch; and Helen Jeffreys, Operations Manager, and Anne Ziegeler, Leaving Care Coordinator of the New Horizons program, delivered a presentation to explain the aims of the program to connect young people with community services and supports.

The New Horizons program was launched at Life Without Barriers, Netley, Adelaide, on Tuesday 15 July 2014 from left: Tracy Mackey, National Executive, Life Without Barriers, Jane Longbottom, South Australian Director, Life Without Barriers, and Peter Evers, Managing Director of People’s Choice Credit Union.

HOMELESS PERSONS WEEK4 TO 10 AUGUST 2014

Reaching out at Riverland, Life Without Barriers staff, from left, Trudi Smith, Aaron McArthur, Deb McManus and Reggie Black.

National Homeless Persons Week 4 to 10 August is an annual event to raise awareness of people experiencing and or at risk of homelessness.Life Without Barriers acknowledges the week as part of its commitment to helping those experiencing and at risk of homelessness to find somewhere safe and long term to live.

In South Australia Life Without Barriers continues to support those currently experiencing or who are at risk of homelessness through the Metro Homelessness Service at Netley and the Riverland Specialist Homelessness Service, Assertive Outreach Program.

During Homeless Persons Week, Life Without Barriers Riverland Assertive Outreach joined local community services to host a Homelessness Information Expo at Berri, South Australia, on Thursday 7 August 2014. The event included family entertainment and a barbecue.

As part of their commitment to helping people experiencing homelessness, the Life Without Barriers teams at Berri, including the Riverland Assertive Outreach and the Personal Helpers and Mentors Targeted Service, moved to a new premises on Monday 7 July 2014.

The new premises at 12 Crawford Terrace, Berri will be officially opened in late September and feature a kitchen, bathroom and laundry facilities for clients and these facilities are already being used by up to 40 people a week who are experiencing homelessness.

Christy Kitto, Operations Manager, Riverland, said the new premises was custom fitted to increase access and availability of basic activities of daily living services to individuals and families living homeless in the region.

Christy said the assertive outreach programs differed from traditional street outreach programs because it was a deliberate and strategic attempt to end homelessness

“The Riverland Assertive Outreach program is an assertive outreach and intensive case management support service designed to engage with clients experiencing homelessness such as inappropriate and/or inadequate housing and has a focus on rough sleeping in the Riverland,” Christy said.

“The program along with the Personal Helpers and Mentors Targeted Service provides an individualised while collaborative approach to engage and develop rapport with clients experiencing the varying forms of homelessness.

“This program recognises that many clients will not have stand-alone

homelessness issues, but contributing factors including co-morbidity that will require support to enable them to move forward.”

During Homeless Persons Week, Life Without Barriers Metro Homelessness Service at Netley, outside of Adelaide, participated in a ‘Walk a mile in their boots’ community event on Friday 8 August 2014.

More than 1000 people walked a mile in support of people experiencing homelessness and to raise awareness of the devastating impact of homelessness.

Ray Johnson, acting Team Leader, Metro Homelessness Service, Life Without Barriers said his team was committed to delivering assertive case management to bring about positive outcomes, build capacity and reconnect people experiencing homelessness to their community.

In far north Queensland, in the lead up to Homeless Persons Week, Life Without Barriers officially opened the Ngathnu-Wi Bayan Women’s Shelter at Cooktown on 1 August 2014, coinciding with the facility’s first anniversary.

Since the Ngathnu-Wi Bayan Women’s Shelter opened it has provided emergency and short-term accommodation for women and children escaping domestic and family violence and those at risk of homelessness in far north Queensland.

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Garma is a colourful annual festival enabling Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians to experience a spectacular and informative display of cultural practice and learning, and this year Life Without Barriers was invited along.

Claire Robbs, Chief Executive, Loretta Perry, Director, Values, Design and Innovation, Terry Lawler, Chair of the Board, Andrew Kilgour, acting Director of Operations south-east, and Gary Oliver, Executive Lead, National Reconciliation portfolio attended the festival held from 1 to 4 August 2014 in northeast Arnhem Land, Northern Territory.

The attendance of these key representatives of Life Without Barriers at the festival was made possible through the generous

CELEBRATING NAIDOC 6 TO 13 JULY 2014NAIDOC Week, 6 to 13 July 2014, was celebrated nationally through the theme Serving Country: Centenary and Beyond.The theme provided reflection on and acknowledgement of the past, and honoured all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women who have fought in defence of country.

Across Life Without Barriers, NAIDOC Week activities are an opportunity for Indigenous and non-Indigenous staff, and the people we support, to come together to celebrate the uniqueness of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.

It is also a reminder of the importance Life Without Barriers places on working in partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to create a better future and raise awareness of Reconciliation initiatives.

NATIONAL EXECUTIVE RECONCILIATION FORUM STARTS A NEW CHAPTER

sponsorship of Qantas – a Reconciliation partner.

Gary Oliver, Executive Lead, National Reconciliation portfolio also paid tribute to Corporate Culcha for their support of the event.

The official opening of the new Garma Knowledge Centre in Gulkula was a highlight of this year’s festival as was the opening performance by the Gumatj clan.

Held on Yolngu ceremonial ground, the festival was celebrated through the theme of Responsibility, Reform and Recognition.

Organised by the Yothu Yindi Foundation the festival, a highly significant policy event, is held each year in August and is the largest and most vibrant annual celebration of the Yolngu culture.

The National Executive Reconciliation Forum held its inaugural meeting on Thursday 26 June 2014, marking yet another new chapter in the Life Without Barriers National Reconciliation Agenda.

It was co-chaired by Claire Robbs, Chief Executive, and Terri Donovan, Operations Manager Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Team, Sydney, and attended by Directors of Operations, Corporate and State Directors, State Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Program Managers and our newly developed National Reconciliation Team, including Executive Lead, Gary Oliver, and senior advisors Donna Smith and Wade Mahoney.

During the forum, the discussion opened by acknowledging important

milestones of the inaugural forum, the responsibilities and accountabilities of forum members and the requirements of members to partner to achieve the significant program of events.

The forum also acknowledged the achievements of the former National Cultural Respect Steering Committee that allowed us as an organisation to look forward to the refreshed reconciliation agenda with great confidence.

The forum will be held three times a year and be the key accountability forum for all Directors on their performance against the Life Without Barriers Reconciliation Action Plan objectives. It will also provide members with a stronger voice in relation to operations, governance and reporting.

The Life Without Barriers South Australian team joined more than 200 people to participate in the annual NAIDOC Week closing procession to Port Augusta on Friday 11 July 2014, from left: Sonja Tilbrook, Dale Carn and Daniel Biggs.

Life Without Barriers was represented at Garma 2014 by, from left: Claire Robbs, Chief Executive, Loretta Perry, Director, Values, Design and Innovation, Terry Lawler, Chair of the Board and Andrew Kilgour, acting Director of Operations south-east. Gary Oliver, Executive Lead, National Reconciliation portfolio also attended.

LIFE WITHOUT BARRIERS ATTENDS GARMA FESTIVAL 2014

As part of our focus on employees, 130 senior leaders from across Life Without Barriers came together for a two day Leadership Advance in July 2014 at Broadbeach, Queensland.

LEADERSHIP ADVANCE

In opening the conference, Chief Executive Claire Robbs said, “Sitting back and being comfortable is not in our DNA.

“We challenge ourselves and our processes to seek ongoing improvement in the care and support we provide.

“The social services industry and Australia as a whole is facing unprecedented changes and it will take more than sound management to steer Life Without Barriers through these changes – it will take courage and innovation.”

Over the two days, the facilitators, Jason Clarke, Gauri Bhalla and Katharine McLennan, shared with participants, the tools, ideas and concepts to encourage collaboration, innovation and leadership.

The design thinking session, with groups learning how to use this approach as a discovery tool, and the IDEA (Imagine, Develop, Evaluate, Act) model was well received with stories already emerging of how people were able to use these approaches in practical problem solving following the conference.

But, really the highlight of the event was the opportunity to spend time networking and making connections with others who share the Life Without Barriers values and passion.

The Leadership Advance was the first step in putting in place a clear learning, development and support structure for Life Without Barriers’ current and future leaders.

In 2014 Life Without Barriers is celebrating our carers and workers through three distinct award programs to contribute to the development of our culture of promoting innovation, learning and continuous improvement.

On 22 July we recognised and celebrated outstanding employees through our inaugural Employee Recognition Awards.

On 16 November we will showcase the outstanding compassion, generosity and support provided by individuals and families through our new National Carers Awards.

On 3 December we will celebrate the dedication and commitment of our Life Without Barriers staff and volunteers through our 7th annual National Disability Services Achievement Awards coinciding with International Day for People with Disability.

Across all of the nominations for our awards there is one consistent theme – the outstanding dedication of nominees by supporting others to achieve their potential or providing support to feel safe and protected.

Every person can make a world of difference to a child, young person, individual or a family in need of help.

Recognition, of course, should not be an annual or event specific formality. All of these awards are a measure of the value Life Without Barriers places on supporting employees and carers to carry out their important duties throughout Australia.

We would also like to thank everyone who has nominated a person for an award and congratulate all nominees.

We have this year received a number of excellent nominations across our awards programs and they are a reflection of the outstanding work being undertaken across the community services sector.

RECOGNISING AND REWARDING OUR PEOPLE

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NATIONAL DISABILITY SERVICES ACHIEVEMENT AWARDS Now in their 7th year, our 2014 National Disability Service Achievement Awards are expected to be the biggest and best yet.

Everyone can make a nomination or self-nominate, whether you are a member of staff, a person with a disability who uses our services, a client’s family, friends or an extended community member.

Life Without Barriers disability services focus on the individual, by empowering each person to reach their goals, and we celebrate our high achievers through these awards each year.

Nominations close at 5pm, Friday 26 September 2014, and winners will be announced at a ceremony on 3 December, in Sydney, coinciding with International Day for People with Disability.

To obtain a nomination form, or for more information, please visit our intranet or email disabilityawards@lwb.org.au

Thank you for your continued support. We look forward to receiving your nominations as we celebrate our staff, people and communities.

Here are the three categories of awards to nominate a person with disabilities, a member of the Life Without Barriers support staff and also members and partners in your community who do great work with people with disabilities.

NOMINATIONS OPEN FOR LIFE WITHOUT BARRIERS

AWARDS FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY• The Community Builder Award recognises an individual or group who has contributed

to the community.• The Breakthrough Award recognises an individual or group who has taken on a new

personal challenge and achieved their personal goals.• The Voice Award recognises the efforts of an individual or group who has advocated for

people with disabilities in the community.• The Young Achiever Award recognises a young person or group, aged between 15 and

24 years, with disability who has made an outstanding contribution to the community.

AWARDS FOR DISABILITY SUPPORT STAFF • The Community Connection Award recognises an individual’s or group’s commitment

to enhance the inclusion of people with disability in the community.• The Innovation Award recognises an individual’s or group’s creative approach to

work at Life Without Barriers.• The Personalisation Award recognises an individual’s or group’s excellence in

providing person-centred support to people with disability accessing Life Without Barriers services.

THE COMMUNITY PARTNERS AWARD• The Accessible Community Award recognises an individual’s or organisation’s

commitment to the engagement and inclusion of people with disability in the community.

Tyson Turner-Thomas won a 2013 National Disability Services Achievement Award for his work as a scoreboard attendant at the Ipswich Jets Rugby League Club

People living with mental health issues in and around Mackay will now receive more support from Life Without Barriers on their journey to recovery.

MORE MENTAL HEALTH RECOVERY SERVICES IN MACKAY

Life Without Barriers, Aftercare and the Mental Illness Fellowship North Queensland are working together to provide transitional housing support for people exiting Mackay Base Hospital.

Aftercare holds the contract with Queensland Health and provides overall management of this new short term transitional accommodation initiative.

Under the initiative, which is due to become operational later this year, Life Without Barriers will provide supported accommodation in a four bedroom house at Mackay for people who have left hospital and are at risk of relapse.

It’s expected that after six months of around-the-clock support, residents will be able to transition to semi-supported care in a unit complex managed by Aftercare.

From there they will have the opportunity to move into independent accommodation

delivered through an outreach model provided by the Mental Illness Fellowship North Queensland.

The initiative will also focus on providing daily living support to people with mental health issues in a safe, friendly and helpful environment within a framework of recovery.

Individuals will also be encouraged to be actively engaged in decision-making and in planning their care and recovery process with respect to sourcing income support, work and training opportunities, social connections, family reunifications, and other supports consistent with working in a recovery based approach.

The initiative has been made possible through Queensland Health funding to Aftercare to deliver the services in collaboration with the QHealth, Life Without Barriers and Mental Illness Fellowship North Queensland.

Across Life Without Barriers, Foster Care Week activities provide an opportunity for staff and the people we support to come together to celebrate the dedication of foster, kinship and relative carers.

State based celebrations of Foster Care Week are held each year in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania in September, in South Australia in August, and in Queensland in March.

How the week is known varies from state to state, in addition to events such

FOSTER CARE WEEK 2014 CELEBRATED

as a National Foster and Kinship Care Conference on 13–14 November 2014 at Hobart, Tasmania.

Registrations have opened for the National Foster and Kinship Care Conference themed ‘Together we can only get better’. During the conference delegates will hear from leaders in the field of children and family services.

We also celebrated National Child Protection Week 7 to 13 September 2014 through the themes ‘Protecting Children is Everyone’s Business’ and ‘Play Your Part’.

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More Queenslanders with a disability will now have somewhere to stay following the opening of Life Without Barriers accommodation at Labrador, Gold Coast, on Wednesday 2 July 2014.

The unit complex in Usher Avenue is now providing transitional accommodation for a maximum of eight people with a disability for up to 12 months at a time.

During that period tenants will be supported to secure long-term living arrangements and to more fully participate in their local community.

The property was officially opened by Queensland’s Minister for Communities, Child Safety and Disability Services, Tracy Davis, and Brad Swan, Director Operations, North and West Australia, Life Without Barriers.

MORE PLACES TO LIVE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY AT GOLD COAST

The opening was also attended by local community representatives and government partners including Gold Coast councillor Margaret Grummitt.

This new service is in line with Queensland’s Your Life Your Choice policy and the National Disability Insurance Scheme aspirations for people with a disability to live more independently in their communities.

The opportunity for five adults to move to new purpose built self-contained villas at Frenchs Forest, a northern suburb of Sydney is underway.

CONTEMPORARY PURPOSE BUILT ACCOMMODATION FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

The villas have been long-term in the planning with Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC) and Life Without Barriers.

The villas follow the ADHC Design Guidelines for Group Accommodation and are contemporary, functional and attractive in their design. The villa-style model offers residents full independence with 24/7 support and access to all common areas.

“Of the three self-contained villa units, two have two bedrooms and the third has one bedroom. It is an exciting

time for the people moving to the new accommodation,” Mark Woolven, Operations Manager, Rockdale said.

In addition each villa has an accessible bathroom, a living/dining area and a kitchen or kitchenette. There is an individual outdoor area directly accessed from each villa and space outside for private entertaining.

The accommodation will provide permanent accommodation for a maximum of five adults when it opens in September 2014.

Life Without Barriers hosted a Multisystemic Therapy (MST) strategic planning workshop on 31 July and 1 August in Sydney to support the continuous improvement of the services we deliver to young people and their families.

MST WORKSHOP PROMOTES CONTINUAL IMPROVEMENT

Our 20th anniversary communication activities took another leap forward with the launch of our new website on 22 August 2014 and the listing of a smart contact number – 1800 WE LIVE.

LAUNCH OF OUR NEW WEBSITE AND WE LIVE HOTLINE

Our website has been redesigned to incorporate Life Without Barriers strong new people focussed look and brand, with information organised and arranged around areas of visitor interest to make their navigation through the site clear and simple.

It appears that our new brand, achieved in partnership with Principals Graphic Design, is making the creative design industry take notice too.

We were the proud winners of the Corporate Identity and Branding award at the prestigious 2014 Sydney Design Awards on Wednesday 20 August 2014.

To further improve communication with our community Life Without Barriers also has a new toll free number 1800 WE LIVE. This word prompted number reinforces our commitment to enabling people to live their lives.

Calls to 1800 WE LIVE or 1800 93 5483 will be answered at our national office at Newcastle, and is in addition to the existing reception number (02) 4033 4500 and Client Information Feedback Service number 1800 721 226.

Please visit our new website at www.lwb.org.au

Suellen Lembke, Senior Advisor, Evidence Based Programs said the workshop brought together MST program managers, practitioners and consultants from government and community agencies in New South Wales, Western Australia and New Zealand.

“MST is an effective, evidence-based intensive family and community-based program that seeks to reduce juvenile offending or other anti-social behaviours and to keep young people at home and in school,” Suellen Lembke said.

“Life Without Barriers plays a practice support and quality assurance role for agencies in Australia and New Zealand who are delivering the program.

“Our recent MST strategic planning workshop was designed to develop strategies to increase awareness of the effectiveness of MST and the use of this highly successful intervention.

The workshop also reviewed how we could increase the level of effective support and quality assurance that Life Without Barriers provides its partner agencies.

“Through the workshop we were able to share ideas and issues, provide support and influence current debate around youth justice policies and programs,” Suellen said.

This portfolio brings together the practice, programs, and quality and risk functions to oversee Life Without Barriers systems and practice improvement in a sustainable way.

For more information please visit www.lwb.org.au

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Life Without Barriers is committed to working closely with young people in care to help them develop their plans to live independently.

Our Australian trial of the USA Youth Advocate Program (YAP), started in June this year, and has been specifically designed to achieve this goal by matching young people leaving care with paid community advocates, chosen from the young person’s community.

Young people living at Life Without Barriers residential services in Sydney were nominated to participate in the YAP pilot, and staff and community advocates were trained to provide advocacy for young people.

Advocates work with the young person to help them achieve their future plans and identify volunteers, supports and mentors.

Life Without Barriers Program Manager, Eugene Wilson, worked with the American developers of the YAP to deliver the training.

As part of our 20th anniversary celebrations Life Without Barriers is gathering messages from our employees, volunteers and stakeholders for a 2034-and-beyond time capsule to capture our past, present and future.We have distributed a suite of postcards for people to use in writing their messages relating to our past 20 years, the current support and care work we are undertake today, and their ideas on what the future light look like for Life Without Barriers and the community.

In December 2014, as this dynamic 20th anniversary year draws to a close, these messages will be enclosed in a time capsule and buried for re-opening in 2034 during the 40th anniversary of Life Without Barriers.

OUR YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAM CHANGES THE LIVES OF YOUNG PEOPLE

“The involvement of Life Without Barriers in the YAP began when our Chief Executive Claire Robbs attained a Churchill scholarship to learn about the program firsthand at the United States and Ireland,” Eugene said.

“The primary difference between how Life Without Barriers is approaching YAP compared with the American program is our focus on young people with an out of home care experience rather than those living in youth justice institutions.

“Life Without Barriers endorses the program, based on YAP’s Safely Home study which aims to achieve positive outcomes for high and complex needs young people through community-based programs, the promotion of employment, and wrap-around models of support.”

Eugene was assisted by Life Without Barriers National Advisor, Denis Myers, who wrote the procedures manual to implement the program.

FAMILY CHALLENGES A FOCUS AT ACWA CONFERENCE Life Without Barriers was proud to be a major sponsor of the 2014 Association of Children’s Welfare Agencies (ACWA) Conference, Children in a changing world: Challenges for families and communities.

Held from 18 to 20 August in Sydney, the conference was attended by 700 child protection practitioners, policy makers and advocates who shared the latest research impacting children, their immediate and extended families, and the communities in which they live.

Coordinated by the ACWA New South Wales, the conference included presentations by international guest speakers as well as Life Without Barriers national executive.

Mary McKinnon, National Director, Practice and Quality, and Lauren Murray, New South Wales Director, jointly hosted a breakfast symposium and addressed the topic of ‘The Ying and Yang of Implementation of Therapeutic Residential Care’.

Our Life Without Barriers’ Sydney Out of Home Care team ran an information booth providing information about our services to conference participants.

TIME CAPSULE COMMEMORATES OUR JOURNEY

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 AND YOUTUBE.

In July 2014 Life Without Barriers proudly confirmed its three year partnership with Volkswagen.

The new fleet arrangement means our Life Without Barriers team members will soon be driving a new Volkswagen.

Peter Armour, National Fleet Manager, Life Without Barriers, said as part of this partnership fleet cars were in the process of being changed to Volkswagen vehicles over the next three years.

Delivering a safe, healthy and supportive workplace for employees is a priority for Life Without Barriers.

EXCITING TIMES... VOLKSWAGEN FLEET LAUNCHED

“Volkswagen is an outstanding, award-winning car manufacturer and we are proud and excited to drive such refined motor vehicles,” Peter said.

“By 31 December 2014 we are scheduled to have introduced 500 Volkswagen cars into our Life Without Barriers fleet.”

PROMOTING EMPLOYEE HEALTH AND WELLNESS

To achieve this Life Without Barriers recently launched its new National Health, Safety and Wellness Policy as part of a range of initiatives supported by the National Workplace Health and Safety Team and State Safety Officers.

The policy, available on the Safety@LWB health and safety intranet site, focuses on building a strong organisational safety culture while enhancing an individual employee’s awareness of their personal obligations in creating a safe workplace.

Claire Robbs, Chief Executive, Life Without Barriers, said the policy aims to provide safe systems and places of work that allow employees to work free from the risk of harm and injury, and

to support the development of healthy and supportive relationships.

“The policy reinforces our commitment to enhancing the health and wellness of our workforce, clients and visitors in accordance with Work Health and Safety legislation and our aim to be responsive to our employees’ health and safety needs,” Claire said.

“As part of this commitment, we actively encourage everyone to report any risks to clients, employees or the public to their supervisor or our Workplace Health and Safety team.”

Employees should report any health and safety concerns as soon as they arise and must:

• make the area or situation safe and report the issue to your supervisor, it if is safe to do so

• complete a hazard report form and give it to your supervisor or email to safety@lwb.org.au, and

• enter details of the hazard in the site communications book.

Life Without Barriers also encourages employees to volunteer as Health and Safety representatives for their individual workplaces.

For more information about the new policy please visit the Safety@LWB page on the Life Without Barrier intranet or email safety@lwb.org.au