The generosity I receive from the NDIS, and the support of Flourish Australia led me to feel I wanted to give back. I live to bring colour and curiosity to the local streetscape with my “Tinker” Shop; where people come to share ideas and immerse in the magic of the unexpected!
It’s a far cry from where I was when my daughter connected me with these supports. My mental health had been impacted by traumatic life experiences, including a relationship breakdown and botched eye surgery. I lost most of what mattered to me, along with my home and physical health.
Flourish Australia assisted me into a unit. With their encouragement, I’ve found a real sense of purpose and feel re-born. The NDIS was a turning point. It opened many doors for me. Now, there are endless possibilities swirling in my mind.
In the beginning, due to my heartache, I hated being in this town. As my support worker talked with me about my NDIS goals, the walls crumbled. I opened up to putting myself out there, starting with a men’s group, and began to enjoy life again.
Flourish Australia assisted me with using my NDIS for what I needed most, such as a mobility scooter and a computer set up for my vision impairment, and setting up social media to connect with the community and family down South.
Receiving such life changing support motivated me to want to give something back. I love to tinker and thought to take that joy into the community by opening a “Tinker” Shop to put colour into people’s hearts and minds. I had faith I would make this work!
I pushed through every roadblock and everyone has been amazed to watch me transform this little white shop into a vibrant environment people are drawn to.
I’ve taken a business partner, Jacob, who was at a crossroads when he wandered in, wide-eyed, and said he’d love to be a part of “Tinker”. It’s the diversion he needed and it helps me to share the rent.
Tinker attracts people from all walks of life. I’ve started a wall of signatures and enjoy getting to know them all. Through “Tinker” Shop I’ve attracted a bit of notoriety around town and leverage my public profile to get community fundraising events going for local causes.
In my former life, I knew no fear. I loved hang gliding and once danced along the edge of a cliff in full flight. “Tinker” Shop has me feeling like I’m flying and fearless, all over again. I greet every morning with glee, wondering what I’ll do with that day. I contribute to council meetings, and I’m a member of the local museum, theatre and cinema. My goals now are to have my street re-named ‘Groovy Lane’, get a street exhibition of Mary Poppins-style chalk art off the ground, and run an Australian poetry fundraiser at the museum. I see so many worthy things to do.
Talk to us today
Our approach to supporting you is different because more than 50% of the people we employ have had their own lived experience of mental health challenges and many of them make up our peer workforce. They get it, because they have been there, so they're able to come alongside you with genuine understanding and insight.
For more information, contact us on 1300 779 270 or make an enquiry now.
