Here for Good: How St Agnes’ supports people who experience disability to stay connected in community life
From community participation and in-home disability support to supported independent living, St Agnes’ Catholic Parish has worked alongside NDIS participants, people who experience disability and their families for over 30 years.
At the Parish, disability services are shaped around each person. Support teams take the time to understand what matters most to individuals and their families, then build flexible supports that fit their lifestyle.
Part of that team is support worker Michael Daley, who recently accompanied Ian Newnham to a 2wayfm Shindig country music event.
Ian, who enjoys an ongoing connection with the 2wayfm community, was supported to strengthen those social connections, catch up with friends and take part in an event that mattered to him. He also received the best dressed male award and said that he and Michael had the “time of our lives”.
It was a moment that reflected Ian’s confidence, personality and choice to participate in community life – something that Michael felt honoured to support – and demonstrated how St Agnes’ provides individualised supports that respond to a person’s goals, interests and preferences.
“People sometimes require support and to have the trust and confidence from Ian to support him on this occasion is a fantastic feeling,” Michael said.
Michael joined St Agnes’ Catholic Parish earlier this year and now works across community support and supported independent living. His role includes supporting participants with personal care and daily activities. He has specialist training that helps him provide safe, person-centred and quality support.
He said, “The training has been really good.
“I love working in the community and I’m really enjoying the sense of contribution in my role. It’s not everywhere as a support worker that you get to contribute in this way.”
Through the Parish’s supported independent living program, Michael supports people like Ian to work towards their personal goals, take part in social and community activities, build independence and remain active in community life.
This, he says, is part of what being Here for Good is all about: being present, building trusted support relationships and helping people live with greater choice, connection and independence.
“Here for Good also means continuity of care and enduring support relationships,” Michael said.
“Teamwork makes the dream work and my role is an absolute dream due to fantastic team support,” he added.
Our Here for Good campaign reflects our ongoing commitment to be here for good for the long term, providing person-centred disability supports that help people pursue their goals and stay connected through every stage of life.
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