Exhibiting her work in the Art Gallery of Western Australia and, most recently, in Government House in Canberra, has given Karen the confidence and enthusiasm to pursue her passion for art.

Our Western Australia Support Centre in Perth has been supporting Karen since 2013 and for the past two years, with help and encouragement from her Support Worker, Fiona Taylor, she’s worked hard on developing her creative and social interests.

“Karen’s involved herself in a number of local community arts programs. She’s especially interested in abstract art and she’s had a great time developing her own style,” said Puja Khadka, Facilitator – Disability Support Services.

“It’s been great to see Karen grow from being shy and socially isolated into a confident and independent woman who now actively engages with her community.”

Like Puja, Karen is delighted with her achievements.

“Exposure to different art programs and exhibiting my art has given me a new identity. I feel happy and confident now and I’m looking forward to doing more with my art,” said Karen proudly.

It was through her participation in the Artistic Adventures program run by the Alzheimer’s Association that Karen’s work was shown in the Art Gallery of Western Australia.

“I received lots of good comments from visitors to the Gallery and people appreciated my work which was great,” said Karen.

Away from her easel and the art studio, Karen leads a busy life knitting, playing piano, shopping, watching movies and eating out.

“I’m looking forward to more adventures and continuing to practice my art and share my talent.”

“I’d like to donate more pieces to Lifestyle Solutions’ office so everyone can see my artwork as it represents a true side of me and I am very proud of it,’’ said Karen.

Karen paints a bright new life

Life’s possibilities are endless with Lifestyle Solutions

PossibilitiesEdition 3 | Autumn 2017

Karen loves sharing her colourful artworks with the community.

Disability SupportsLifestyle Solutions is a registered NDIS service provider. We offer the following NDIS supports in all states and territories.

• Coordination of support.

• Assistance with daily living.

• Travel and transport.

• Assistance with increased social and community participation.

• Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) and SDA Support Coordination.

• Improved living arrangements.

• School leaver employment supports.

• Improved relationships, health and well-being, learning, life choices and daily living.

• Finding and keeping a job (Tasmania – DES, Northern Territory – ADE).

• Early intervention support.

Contact us for additional supports and services.

NDIS UPDATESLifestyle Solutions has held regular Information Forums in districts where the NDIS is being rolled out to keep people up-to-date and informed on their options and plan development so that their transition to the Scheme is a smooth one.

Northern TerritoryDarwin’s accommodation services have just completed their NDIS planning meetings and participants are beginning to receive their first plans. Our Darwin office staff are currently assisting with plan implementation and helping people we support get started with their plans. Planning meetings for Alice Springs’ accommodation services will commence in July 2017.

VictoriaParticipants in North Eastern Melbourne are currently transitioning to the NDIS. The Scheme will be rolled out across Inner Eastern Melbourne and Outer Eastern Melbourne later this year. We’ve begun to sign-up participants and help them through the planning and transition process. Information Forums will be held in Gippsland and other districts soon.

QueenslandInformation Forums have been held in Tweed Heads and Lismore, the

Southern Queensland NDIS region, in preparation for the July 2017 roll out.People we support, their families, carers and/or guardians, have beenadvised that the majority of the planning in this region will be under-taken over the phone instead of face-to-face meetings. We can assist with these phone meetings. Pre-planning tools havebeen provided to assist with meeting preparation.

New South WalesInformation Forums have been held in Bathurst, Orange, Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour in preparation for the Year 2 roll out in these districts. More forums will be held shortly. Please visit www.lifestylesolutions.org.au for forum details.

Support Coordination Do you have Support Coordination included in your plan? If not, talk to our experienced Support Coordinators who can advise you on plan reviews, plan implementation and sourcing alternate supports.

For information or assistance please talk to your local facilitator or contact our Intake Team.Phone 1800 NDIS 4 U 1800 634 748Emailenquiry@lifestylesolutions.org.au

Lifestyle Solutions has been named the St George Illawarra Dragons’ Charity Icon Partner for the second consecutive year.

The Dragons have shown tremendous support for our organisation and we’re looking forward to another exciting year working with them.

As their 2016 ANZAC Day Match Partner, we had a great opportunity to showcase our services and the work we do.

We greatly appreciated a St George Leagues Club Community Grant which helped us run our

inspirational Camp To Belong program.

This unique program reunites siblings separated through foster or residential care.

Together with our Camp To Belong Ambassador, Wendell Sailor, himself a former Dragon’s player, we’re looking forward to delivering more dynamic camps that deliver fun, adventure and family connection.

We’re also looking forward to sharing St George match tickets with the many Dragons fans amongst the people we support, their families and carers, and our staff.

Charity Icon Partnership announced

(L-R) Lifestyle Solutions CEO, Andrew Hyland, and Chairperson, Stewart Perry, wished Dragon’s Captain, Gareth Widdop, a great season at the club’s 2017 season launch at Darling Harbour.

As I reflect on my past six months as CEO of Lifestyle Solutions, my focus settles on two key areas of our operation — our outstanding staff and our responsibility to the people we support. My respect for our staff and their commitment to providing quality supports and services continues to grow. During my visits to our support centres, community hubs and group homes across Australia I’ve been constantly impressed with our staff’s caring and compassionate nature. Their focus on creating honest, respectful relationships with the people we support, their families and carers, reflects our core values and I’d like to commend them for the positive way in which they deliver on our objectives. Across our Out Of Home Care services and our many practical and clinical supports, the wellbeing of the people we support is paramount. Every day, in communities across Australia, our teams are delivering on this commitment and I look forward to working with them and continuing our good work.

The year ahead holds many exciting opportunities for our organisation, not least of which will be continuing our ongoing work with the inspiring people we currently support, and helping more people transition across to the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

I hope you enjoy reading about some of the wonderful achievements of the people we support in this issue of Possibilities.

Regards Andrew Hyland

Year 10 students at Newcastle Grammar School showed wonderful support for children in need of a little extra support.

A message from our CEO

Community spirit in action Motivated by a strong sense of community and a desire to help others, Year 10 students at Newcastle Grammar School enthusiastically threw their support behind the School’s community engagement project at the end of last year to help children in our Immediate Placement Program (IPP).

Mary Mockler, Acting General Manager – Child and Family Services, greatly appreciated the School’s support and donation of clothes, linen, toiletries, pantry foods, toys and 25 new backpacks.

Run in collaboration with the NSW Department of Family and Community Services, the Immediate Placement Program supports children who’ve been removed from their family during times of crisis.

Operating 24 hours a day, seven days a week, children stay with our dedicated IPP carers for 6 weeks while their situation is carefully assessed.

“In many instances, carers only have an hour’s notice that a child will be placed with them. Children often arrive with just a few possessions in a plastic bag, or nothing at all, which can lead to real feelings of displacement,” said Mary.

“The comfort a teddy bear can bring, or the security of having a back pack with things they can call their own, can help fill a void and build a personal connection.”

“We’re enormously grateful to Newcastle Grammar School and the Year 10 students for their compassion and generosity.”

Marnie Thomas, Hunter House Coordinator and English/History teacher at Newcastle Grammar School, said the students had taken their responsibility and commitment to the project seriously.

“The students understood they were creating a micro moment of positivity resonance for an individual whom they will never meet. This is what social justice is all about — promoting the values of inclusivity and diversity and creating environments that are supportive of all people,” said Marnie.

The team gets ready to distribute the backpacks. (Front row L-R) Tara Longmore – IPP Case Manager, Olive Hunkin – Foster Care Case Manager, Social Work students Lauren and Malaika. (Back row) Kerrie Cunliffe - Administration Manager Child and Family Services, Pieter Morssink – Case Manager Residential Out Of Home Care.

Helping people to realise their dreams drives our dedicated Tennant Creek team so they were thrilled when they had the chance to make a young country music fan’s dream a reality.

The team’s been supporting Jameson for several years and it was no secret that going to the Tamworth Country Music Festival was at the top of his wish list.

So a plan was put together and in late January Jameson set off for the heartland of Australian country music with his Support Worker, Ashleigh Pead.

A long drive to Alice Springs and two flights later, they arrived in Tamworth for two exciting days of music and star spotting. With so many of his idols performing Jameson had a hard time picking a favourite moment but there were many highlights.

“I really enjoyed watching Graeme Connors. The Sunny Cowgirls were good, too, and it was great seeing Troy Cassar-Daley become the 50th inductee into the Roll of Renown,” said Jameson.

The intrepid travellers then headed to the coast and visited Forster, Newcastle and Sydney before heading home.

Jameson is now looking forward to planning his next trip to Elcho Island off the coast of Arnhem Land.

Lifestyle Solutions acknowledges the traditional owners of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, waterways and community. We pay our respect to them and their cultures and to Elders past and present.

Jameson realises his country music dream

Alex charts a sporty course For twenty-four year old Alex, the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) has created opportunities and helped him develop his sporting prowess.

“I’ve been with the NDIS for 18 months and my experience so far has been great,” Alex said.

Alex has been attending our Wallsend Community Hub in Newcastle for over five years and with the team’s support he’s become a very active member of his community.

A quietly determined young man, Alex hasn’t let having spina bifida slow him down and he excels at wheelchair rugby, basketball, lawn bowls and sailing.

“I was doing similar things before but I had to rely on my family to take me to different places, which wasn’t always possible and it was tough on them.

Now I don’t have to rely on others. I can do whatever I want when I want,” he said.

Toni Hunt, Lifestyle Solutions’ Wallsend Hub Facilitator, said Alex is great at every sport he tries.

“Alex had never tried sailing before joining us but he’s a natural. He’s also extremely dedicated and does a gym program once a week to develop his upper body strength.”

“I feel really good being able to go to the gym and go sailing. I feel a real sense of freedom when I’m sailing. I don’t have to go from side to side to steer the yacht. I can sit in one place, hold the tiller and work the sails,” Alex said.

“Depending on the breeze, sometimes you’re flying and other times you’re just floating around but when I’m out on the water I don’t feel like I have a disability.”

Jameson had a fabulous time in Forster.

Alex loves the sense of freedom sailing gives him.

COOKING UP A STORMLively lunches and healthy lifestyles are menu favourites at our Wallsend Community Hub in Newcastle.

Under the guidance of Support Worker, Wayne Ferguson, the Hub’s regular cooking classes teach people how to prepare nutritious meals in a supportive, social setting.

“From shopping for ingredients and picking fresh vegetables and herbs from our gardens, to learning new recipes and perfecting old favourites, we all have a lot of fun,” said Wayne.

“Everyone enjoys the practical side of preparing meals but we also teach people about good food choices, portion control and how to handle food safely and hygienically.”

“We also encourage teamwork with setting tables and serving meals to ensure everyone enjoys their dining experience.”

“We have some great cooks at the Hub. Alex is terrific and his Koenigsberg Meatballs are always a big hit. We also have some talented up and coming baristas including Nathan and Anthony.”

“Some people prefer set roles. Two of our young men like to be known as the ‘Onion Men’ and they’re the go-to men when it comes to chopping onions.”

The kindness of strangersWhen a thoughtful stranger walked in on their regular morning tea, Laurie and his Support Worker, Shaun Bachelor, had no idea where a friendly “good morning” was going to lead.

As he always does, Laurie, whom we support in Maroochydore, cheerily greeted everyone entering a nearby Subway store as he read the paper with Shaun.

Laurie’s vibrant personality and gentle nature always wins people over and he received lots of happy responses as people went about their morning. However one man stopped briefly to chat before wishing them both a great day and heading off.

Not long after, a Subway staff member handed Laurie and Shaun a $30 store credit — a gift from the man they’d just spoken with. The man explained to the staff that he had an autistic son and he wanted to treat them to lunch.

Laurie was delighted by the unexpected gift and Shaun was thrilled for him. Not just for the kind sentiment behind it but because it highlighted the value people see in the work our staff do supporting people in the community.

Laurie’s positive outlook impresses everyone.

“I’ve been dubbed ‘Captain Squid Ring’ after suggesting Almond Squid Rings for lunch so preparing the squid is my job now,” laughed Wayne.

Toni Hunt, Support Facilitator at the Hub, said the cooking classes were important for developing interpersonal and independent living skills.

“The classes foster friendships and build confidence — and we all get to share a delicious, healthy lunch prepared by some very good cooks,” said Toni.

(L-R) Jessica, Josh, Kerrie, Amy, a special guest, Leah, Support Worker, Wayne Ferguson, and Donny enjoy lunch at the Hub.

Anthony is a barista in the making.

Senior Support Worker Rajesh Budhathoki (centre) helped James and Ronald plant out garden beds at Chandala House.

A place to call homeWhilst the individual journeys that brought James, Ronald and Aaron together have been quite different, they’ve found friendship and shared interests in the supportive environment of Chandala House, our group home in Ellenbrook, Western Australia.

Assisted by a caring and thoughtful team who’ve initiated many positive changes in their lives, the three friends have developed their independent living skills and reconnected with the local community.

“Chandala House has given these men a strong sense of belonging which has had a clear impact on their health and attitude. Their confidence has grown, they’ve embraced new challenges and they’ve made important social and cultural connections,” said Rajesh Budhathoki, Senior Support Worker - Disability Support Services.

“Ronald’s been with us since 2014 and he’s so comfortable here that he tells everyone that Chandala House is his house and that it’s an honour to live there.”

“He’s involved himself with one of the local community churches and loves attending Sunday services, singing with the congregation and taking part in their activities.”

James, who has called Chandala House home since 2012, enjoys going swimming and shopping each week and eagerly looks forward to his monthly fishing trip. His communication skills and interaction with the team have grown steadily and he cheerfully helps out with household tasks like setting and clearing the table, washing the dishes and preparing meals.

“Before moving to Chandala House James always stayed at home. Now he goes out on excursions and his health and overall wellbeing is much better. I couldn’t be more pleased and I’d like to thank everyone involved, especially the

team,” said James’ sister, Angela Hays, who regularly visits her brother at the house.

Like his housemates, Aaron’s independence and mobility have also increased since he moved into the house in 2013.

“He’s connected with a local cultural organisation and loves attending their weekly arts and

pottery sessions. His fitness has improved and with increased upper body strength he can manoeuvre his wheelchair more easily. In fact, his fitness has improved so much that his occupational therapist has recommended a walking trial for him which is a tremendous achievement,” said Rajan Muthiah, Facilitator, Disability Support Services.

Home grownA Community Living Grant from National Disability Services funded equipment and plants for vegetable gardens to be built at Chandala House. With help from elders at WADJAK Northside Aboriginal Community Centre, Aaron, James and Ronald built raised garden beds, moved a tonne of soil and planted seedlings which have thrived under their care.

They each have their own patch in the garden and combine their produce to create healthy meals. Outdoor furniture and barbeque appliances purchased with funding from Lottery West have created a great outdoor

entertaining area where everyone at the house can relax and enjoy each other’s company… it’s a great place to call home.

(L-R) Ronald, Support Worker Jane Wilkins, Aaron and James at the NDIS Gala Lunch at Crown Casino in Perth.

For our busy team in the Northern Territory, helping the people they support to maintain connections with their family and culture is just as important as helping them with their daily supports and activities. Heidi McDermott, Senior Manager – Disability Services Darwin, said the opportunity to assist Rebecca, CJ and Shaka to return to Country had been exciting for everyone involved.

“Helping Rebecca, a proud woman from Milingimbi Island east of Darwin, visit her family was fantastic,” said Heidi.

Rebecca hadn’t been back to her Country for some time so she was thrilled when she got the chance to fly home with the support of Senior Clinician, Fiona Davis, for a day.

“Reuniting with her three sons and other members of her family was hugely important for Rebecca. The community treated her like a celebrity and everyone made her feel very welcome. It was a fabulous day for her.”

CJ’s family live in Maningrida, 500km east of Darwin and thanks to some unpredictable weather his three day visit turned into four which pleased him enormously.

“Making the trip happen for CJ was great. He had a terrific time catching up with his family and friends and he and his Support Worker, Marcus Mgbemena, really enjoyed being shown the local sights by one of his uncles,” said Heidi.

RETURNING TO COUNTRY

Spending time with her sons was the highlight of Rebecca’s trip.

Shaka had a great time catching up with his family.

For Shaka, it was an emotional trip back to Country where he saw his father for the first time in 15 years.

“January was a special time for Shaka when he caught up with family and friends on Elcho Island off the coast of Arnhem Land. He’s usually quite shy but, with encouragement from his Support Worker, he was soon singing and dancing with his family and impressing everyone with his natural talent for playing Indigenous instruments,” Heidi said.

Heidi and her team are looking forward to helping more people return to Country this year so they can reconnect with their families, communities and culture.

CJ’s mother and cousin enjoyed having him back home for a visit.

Giuseppe loves helping visitors find their way around the hospital.

Meleseleisa is looking forward to another year of learning.

At Coachwood House at Hoppers Crossing in Victoria we’ve been helping our residents achieve some important personal milestones. For Giuseppe, who’s lived at Coachwood House for four years, the opportunity to work at Western Health’s Sunshine Hospital has fulfilled his ambition to work in the community and make new friends. He’s been an enthusiastic volunteer at the Hospital’s Visitor Guide Desk for the past six months and loves his work delivering magazines and interacting with staff, patients and visitors.

Meleseleisa has been a resident at Coachwood House for three years and she, too, was eager to develop her skills and create opportunities for herself.

After enrolling in a numeracy and literary program last year her hardwork was rewarded with a greatreport and a certificate acknowledging her first year of study. Thrilled with her results, Meleseleisa is keen to build on her experience and has enrolled in another learning program where she’s looking forward to expanding her knowledge, improving her reading skills and, like Giuseppe, to making new friends.

Coachwood House

www.lifestylesolutions.org.au

Lifestyle Solutions recently welcomed Emily Caska, our new Executive Leader Strategy & Policy, to our organisation.

Emily has significant experience in the sector spanning over 16 years and possesses a strong background in innovation, strategy and social enterprise, including four years as Policy Director with the national disability peak body, National Disability Services.

Most recently, Emily took three years out of the sector to work as Ambassador and Deputy Chief Executive for the Australian Chamber of Commerce across Hong Kong, Macau and Greater China.

Thrilled to be back in the sector, Emily’s new role with Lifestyle Solutions will cover the key functions of strategy, policy, marketing and communications, strategic branding, growth and stakeholder relations (including government, corporate, sector, academic and community).

With a passion for rights of people with a disability and children in Out Of Home Care (OOHC) to enjoy a good life or to simply get their life back, Emily is looking forward to tackling some of the challenges faced by the sector.

Emily’s connection with the sector goes deeper than just work. Her sister Lucy, with whom Emily shares a close relationship, has global developmental delay and autism. Lucy recently moved in with Emily, adding a whole new dynamic to their relationship.

“Having first-hand experience with disability since I was just one year old adds a deeply personal lens and commitment to all that I do at Lifestyle Solutions. The person we support is — and should always be — at the centre of all we do. We, as a service provider, should be on the periphery of lives, not at the centre as has traditionally been the case,” said Emily.

“I see current changes in our sector and the challenges they present as an invitation to keep trying, to do better and to think differently. Let’s think outside the square, let’s listen to what our people want, let’s work from a position of yes. The people we support, their carers and families deserve that — services and supports that are as individual as they are.” “Each day in my role I am genuinely excited by the challenge of connecting strategy with execution and delivery — walking the talk, if you will. We are working hard to balance retention and stability with growth and opportunity.”

“At the foundation of all this is our current priority to better understand our valuable customers, their carers and families in order to give each and every one a high quality journey and experience with us.”

“In a more universal sense, I truly look forward to the day when people with disability and children who come through the OOHC system are truly equal and afforded the same rights as us all. That goes well beyond the specialist disability and OOHC systems and to all other systems — health, transport, education — and charges them to lift their game and walk the inclusion talk for those who deserve it the most,” Emily said.

Emily will be travelling around the country regularly to meet our staff and the people we support.

Introducing Emily Caska

facebook.com/LifestyleSolutions

twitter.com/LifestyleSolns

Lifestyle Solutions is a registered NDIS service provider.

Free call Australia-wide

1800 NDIS 4 U(1800 634 748)

enquiry@lifestylesolutions.org.au

Interested in becoming a foster carer? Foster carers from all walks of life, backgrounds and cultures have opened their homes and hearts to children in need of a safe and secure environment that they can call home – and you can too. If you’d like to make a positive difference in a child’s life, talk to us today about becoming a foster carer.