We are always striving to build on the independence of the people we support. Whether this is in cooking a meal, catching a bus, or a variety of other activities, we love to see them succeed.
This is certainly true on the Gold Coast, where Jamie and Eric live. Earlier this year, Jamie and Eric moved from their home in Burleigh Heads as it began a renovation. Settling into their new home has allowed them to be able to learn new things.
Jamie and Eric have been living in Burleigh Heads for over 30 years, which is no small amount of time! Jamie also works at the Burleigh social enterprise one day a week. Anyone who is familiar with the home at Burleigh Heads knows how much Jamie likes to tinker. He likes to keep himself busy and has sheds of equipment where he tinkers on his projects.
Eric has always been a bit of a green thumb and loves tending to his garden. He grows all sorts of fruit and vegetables with his support worker, Anne Hart and the team at his home.
Moving out of your home while it’s being renovated and into a rental is not easy. The move has come with some challenges but having the yard to focus on now gives Jamie and Eric a sense of purpose and understanding that they are helping out.
Support worker, Delara Kathage, said that when they first moved out, they left behind the batteries for the mower in storage, but during a recent visit, Home Site Supervisor, Tyron Gallaher, grabbed the batteries, allowing the mower to work again. But this was not the end. A risk assessment had to be conducted to ensure that both Jamie and Eric were safe and able to use the equipment properly. Now there is nothing stopping them.
Everyone is really encouraging of Jamie and Eric getting out in the yard whenever they can and was paramount in making sure that they had the knowledge and skills to be able to do the task at hand. Anne said:
I love to get out in the yard myself and being able to do that with Jamie and Eric makes it more fun! They work together, taking rest breaks when needed, until the job is done.
Delara shared just how much growing independence has helped everyone at their home. She says:
We have recently experienced some wet and stormy weather which has left the grounds around the home in a bit of a state. Jamie and Eric were super keen to lend a hand and got stuck in, mowing and clearing debris from the yard.
We are grateful to the team at Burleigh for all that they do for our people. They have supported them through this significant transition and helped all of the housemates, including Jamie and Eric, to thrive.
We love to see Jamie and Eric embracing life in their home and we just know that they will continue to help out in the yard when they return to their newly renovated home next year.
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