Community Living Australia Impact Report

Ellie

Trainee Placement Student

“As I approached the end of Year 11, I was feeling the pressure to decide on my career path. I had a budding interest in support work but wasn’t sure how to pursue it. Thankfully, my school connected me with Community Living Australia (CLA), and the transition was incredibly smooth. Within just two weeks of reaching out, I was starting my placement at CLA!

Working at CLA has been a fantastic experience. I split my week between school and CLA’s Mount Barker location, where I help with various activities like bowling and swimming. I’ve had the chance to meet amazing people, including clients who have made me feel incredibly welcome from day one. Their warmth and openness have made it easy for me to settle in.

“Being at CLA is just like a big family and it’s just great. And I just feel so included and loved”

One of the highlights for me has been seeing the positive impact of support work firsthand. It’s been eye-opening and rewarding to help people and see how much it means to them. Plus, it’s been great to earn while I learn, balancing my schoolwork with practical experience.

I was initially hesitant, with many people warning me about the challenges of the job. They asked if I really wanted to do this for the rest of my life. But I think when you know, you know. I was nervous, but despite some upfront challenges, the laughter and good times far outweigh the tough moments.

I’ve dropped a couple of subjects to focus on this path, and it’s been worth it. I’m set to graduate with my Year 12 certificate and a Certificate III in Individual Support. I’ve even started recommending this path to others at school. If you’re considering it, I say go for it. The experience at CLA feels like being part of a big family—everyone is supportive and caring. Each day is different, and I love the variety and personal connections I’m making. It’s a fulfilling journey, and I couldn’t be happier with my choice.”

Kerry

Client Advisory Board member, Riverland

I’ve been a client of Community Living Australia for nearly 12 years, and this is my third year on the Client Advisory Board. Being on the board means I can give ideas and listen to their plans, which means Community Living can help the clients better. I think it’s good.

One of the ideas I brought up was that we want to know our Support Workers. I wanted to know who was coming on and so we asked for an app and now they’re trying to make the app for us.

On the Client Advisory Board, I do all sorts of things. I advise, get stuff put on the agenda, and I can suggest new ideas. I even helped change the name of the Board so it’s better. It’s important and I like it.

Thili

Placement to Support Worker, Adelaide Hills

“I’m a migrant from Sri Lanka and came to Australia nearly eight years ago. When we moved to Australia I started as a cleaner, eventually becoming an Area Manager. It was a stressful job, and I wanted to be in a community because I did community work in Sri Lanka. When we moved to Mount Barker, I saw it was time to move on. I started a Cert 3 course and got introduced to placement opportunities while studying, which led me to this job.

I do a range of different things with our clients, from cooking and cleaning to bowling, swimming, and going to the gym. I love cooking, so that’s always fun. I get to work closely with some clients in their homes, and I love seeing them smile. There’s no typical day; it changes all the time. Being part of our Day Options team is great because I get to be with a bunch of clients at the same time. I like the mix between at-home support and Day Options. Every day is something different, and it’s a good opportunity in my life.

I’m totally satisfied with what I have now. I’m doing something empowering for our clients and supporting them to have the life they want. It’s part of my life now, like a second home. The culture in the team is really good, and my team members and clients are very supportive. There’s something special here, and every day is enjoyable. I go into each day with a full heart. Sometimes it’s a challenge, but it’s a blessed job. It’s not just a job; it’s a service. This is the best job in the world, and it fills my whole spirit. It’s just another life for me.”

Paul

Award-Winning Myriad Artist

“I create art from my personal emotions. My artwork helps me keep track of my mental health and lets me express my creativity. I’m one of the rare kinds of artists who puts my emotions and feelings into my work because I suffer from anxiety and borderline personality disorder, so my emotions can have low points and high points. My doctor encouraged me to give it a go because the creativity was always there; it was just a matter of finding a way to release it

To create is something very powerful for me. Seeing my paintings hanging up in the State Library, where thousands of people will walk through, has always been a good thing. It’s nice to get praise for my work, and I like to share my creative side with the world. I really do support Community Living Australia, and we’re all so grateful to be able to put our paintings up at the State Library.

Winning isn’t really all that important for me; it’s all about sharing my experience and the artwork itself. It was a lot of hard work, but I never gave up, even when the faces on the artworks probably changed more than ten times. I think it’s important for people with disabilities to try something like painting so they can find something they could be passionate about. Even if you have a disability, you should still give it a go because people like us tend to be very creative.”

Graham

Support Worker, Kangaroo Island

“I provide four hours of in-home support to a middle-aged male I went to school with—he was in my sister’s class. Being in a small community means knowing the people you’re supporting, which makes the experience even more rewarding.

Discovering more about the person I support truly floats my boat. The more you get to know someone, the better you can support them. You learn their likes, dislikes, and comfort zones. For example, Barb isn’t comfortable with big steps or steep slopes, and she communicates that to me, asking for support. I also discovered that Barb is incredibly talented at sketching.

At the start, you’re trying to do everything you have been taught and trying to think for the client. But you’re not realising they were already giving you all the information you need. That’s what’s great about our Day Options program—you have the whole day to learn from and be guided by our clients. I’m always happy to be learning.

“Learning about client-centred care was a turning point for me; putting the client at the center of what you do takes the guesswork out of it.”

If you care about others, that’s the key. You’re the right person to be a Support Worker. You’ll see things with new eyes—sensory issues, mobility, and how to support people in your personal life. It opens up a whole new perspective.”

Darryl

SIL Client, Adelaide Hills

“I used to live with my sister, but I moved when my dad died. He had cancer. Since my old man passed away, I live in my own home, and my sister helps look after me. My house is nice and warm for me.

I have a new housemate, Samuel. He’s moved in, and he’s going to come bowling with me. It’s fun. I play Switch with my housemate Loughy, but he keeps beating me. I don’t mind him beating me. He has a picture of me on his iPad and he knows my name on the iPad too. We’re good friends. We play basketball together sometimes, and I wear black and white. We have a pool table at home, and we like playing pool together. We got a new TV, it’s a big one.

My favourite sport is ten-pin bowling on Saturdays. I’ve been everywhere. I went to Canberra for the Nationals in bowling because I’m a good bowler. I was beaten by one pin! Next year, I’m going to Perth for the national championships.

I also go swimming, and I do love my gambling; I’m a gambler. Most of the time, I just relax at home, watch TV, or watch football. I barrack for Geelong and sometimes the West Coast Eagles. They’re my two favourites. Not Port Power though!

I like cooking too. That’s my number one. Mostly Italian food. I am sort of a good cook. I like to clean, vacuum, and mop the floors. I clean the toilets in our house and sometimes the windows too.

I make shopping lists and plan meals for the whole week. Then I go shopping with my Support Worker. We have fun together. I’m calm sometimes and I’m good at making decisions.”

Jules

Support Worker, Limestone Coast

“Supporting our clients’ well-being is something I’m truly passionate about. During my shifts, we get out daily for 30-minute walks. The clients I support walk, and walk, and walk- as long as they can. Sometimes, I struggle to keep up! The time outside provides a refreshing scenery that engages nearly all five senses (although we tend not to taste things during our walks!).

I enjoy my job and helping others, so I have continued my education for personal growth, completing a Post-Graduate Certificate in Aging and Disability and the Dementia Essentials course. With CLA’s support, I have used my training to implement well-suited techniques to support our clients.

I’ve supported clients who usually prefer to stay home to grow confidence and comfort when engaging with the community. I am dedicated to seeing my clients happy and living their best lives.”

Roslyn

Murray Bridge Client

“I started getting support when I was 15 years old, that was a long time ago. As I got older, I became more independent. Now, I look after myself and don’t need to go to Day Options anymore. I’m a social butterfly and always busy, so if I need support, it’s only at nighttime and CLA helps me with this.

My Team Leader is really good at helping me. I can ring her whenever I need help, anytime, and she’s there. So yeah, I only need in-home support now, and only at night.

CLA helped me get skills to work in jobs. I now work during the day, and work is busy. I’ve worked at the bakery for nearly two years now and love it.

I’m so busy that I don’t play sports anymore, but I do bowling on Wednesdays, which is my favourite. I also love doing art. I’ve been doing it for years and entering Myriad since it began. Art keeps me relaxed, and I enjoy trying different types of art. I always put love into it.”

Danielle

Client Southern Metro

“I have been with Community Living Australia for two years. I get social 1:1 support and go to Engage Monday and Wednesdays. Sam does my 1:1. We go out sometimes and go walking. Today we made a stir-fry for dinner because mum does a lot of the cooking. We work well together. We go out to do things, go to the movies, and in summer we go swimming.  

On Monday I go for cooking and arts and craft in the afternoon. We also sometimes do dancing to music for group exercise. We have basketball right outside too. It is good for socialising and communicating. It’s pretty fun. I get to meet new people; they’re nice people and we get to do good stuff.  

Its good because you learn new stuff. I like being in the kitchen and cooking. I used to do home economics in school where I would get 10/10. By learning more recipes, you get better at cooking and baking. I think things are getting better. Now I do cutting veg, and stirring in the meat. I am more confident with the stove, and I do more difficult stuff. That’s why it’s good to work with Sam, we agree, and she meets my needs. The client should get to make the decisions, that is what it’s like here. It’s good to learn new stuff, they’re some nice people.”