As I’ve grown more connected to my community through supported employment and volunteering, I’m a happier, better, stronger person and think positively about my future.
My biggest challenge has been to develop the courage to live independently and look after myself. I used to live on a small family property outside of Wagga Wagga and relied on my parents for everything. Accessing public transport was difficult and I did very little on my own.
When the local Community Health Team referred me to Flourish Australia, I didn’t know what to expect. It was all new to me and I felt uncertain about living out of home but once I moved into Wagga Wagga, being closer to facilities and shopping centres helped me to build my independence. More importantly, having people around me for support was reassuring while I grew the self confidence I needed to branch out and live the life I wanted.
With the support of Flourish Australia I set up a home of my own. I’ve established a daily routine and learned a thing or two about cleaning my place and preparing meals for myself.
My apartment is convenient to shops and clinical services where I now attend appointments and buy groceries on my own, without needing to rely on my parents to take me.
The Flourish Australia team assisted with linking me into the local community gardens where I got to know some familiar faces and now volunteer each Tuesday morning. It was exciting for me to then become one of the first people to start with Flourish Australia’s supported employment program as it rolled out in Wagga Wagga. They established a number of contracts for their community businesses where I’m employed to wash cars and clean offices and have built good relationships with colleagues. I’m making a valuable contribution which feels fantastic!
Now that I’ve found my place in the community, I can enjoy spending time with my family when I see them and reflect on how far I’ve come. I got to this point in my life by staying positive, learning to trust myself and ask for support from the people around me when I need it.
Talk to us today
Our approach to supporting you is different because over half of the people we employ have had their own lived experience of a mental health issue 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.
