Ingrid and Lilli have become like family. Photo: Supplied.
At a time when disability workers are leaving the industry, Gwynneville’s Lilli Webb-Jones marks 10 years since she first met her Aruma disability support worker Ingrid Hearn and began her journey towards independence.
The pair have become like family, as Ingrid has witnessed Lilli go from strength to strength in achieving her NDIS goals.
Ingrid said they first met when Lilli was in Year 12, and since has seen incredible change in NDIS participant Lilli through providing Flex Support under Aruma’s Social and Community Participation program.
She works with her twice a week to assist with activities such as doing the weekly shop, attending music classes, meeting up with friends and getting out and about.
“You can order your own coffee and pay for your own coffee,” she said to Lilli, as they travelled to Kiama together for a day out of coffee and walking.
“She is so much better at communicating her needs and accepting other people’s choices too.
“She has worked hard to manage her own money and learned how to foster friendships.
“These might sound like small wins to some people, but they’ve made a world of difference to Lilli’s everyday life.”
She said an example was Lilli being a proud vegan and now understanding it was OK if others weren’t.
“This is a big thing, that we can all be different in this world,” she said.
“There’s been some social things where she’s been more accepting of other people’s views.”
The latest workforce census report from National Disability Services, the peak body for disability service organisations, has found the disability industry is struggling more than ever with staff retention.
New statistics outline about 24 per cent of casual NDIS workers and 16 per cent of permanent staff have quit in the past year.
However, registered NDIS provider Aruma has close to 6000 staff across Australia’s east coast, and 20 per cent have been with the organisation for more than 10 years.
“I’ve seen so many people come in and out of the industry, but for me, it’s about having these people in my life and making my life richer,” she said.
“When I first started working with Aruma – then House with No Steps – I didn’t expect to be here for the next decade, but I love the people, I love the work and it’s really fulfilling to make a difference in the lives of others.
“I’ve been with Lilli for 10 years, and the other gentleman I’m with I’ve been with him for 15.
“I just love the fact I get to know them in a more real way.
“They help me grow as a person, and I help them grow as a person. The richest thing you can have is a friendship that grows through the years.”
She said that also meant it didn’t feel like work.
“It’s so much easier when you’re with someone every week for so long, because you fall into place together and it’s just easy,” she said.
As a Flex support worker, Ingrid said often they would jump in the car and not know where they were going, aiming to keep each day’s adventure fresh and new.
“If Lilli’s in the mood to do something, she’ll guide me in what she wants to do,” she said.
“I think that’s the best part about my job is we can do stuff a lot of people don’t get the opportunity to do in a lot of settings in disability – to just go out, get in a car with someone you trust, and hit the road and go, ‘We’re going there today.’”
She said with the beauty of her work being that they could enjoy the best parts of the day together, she encouraged others to become support workers.
“I wish more people would look at working in the field who want to build relationships and have these people in their lives, because it’s so much more enriching also for the carer to really become a part of that person’s life,” she said.
“Even if it’s volunteer work, there’s so many people out there who are lonely who could use the company of somebody else.
“It’s such a nice way to spend some time in your life.”
Aruma chief people officer Lylea McMahon said they were proud to have staff who valued their role and were committed to putting participants first.
“We actually have 1184 people who have been with us for over 10 years and, of that, 114 people have 30-plus years of service,” Lylea said.
She said she was passionate about creating inclusive communities where people with a disability could live the lives they chose, with the Wollongong area having supported independent living (SIL) homes, community hubs and opportunities for supported employment.
“We have approximately 64 staff in the Illawarra across these areas and our purpose is to support people like Lilli to live a great life, the life they want, the life they choose.”
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