With 135 kilometres between them, it’s not every day that clients from join forces.
However, the lure of Kalbar’s sunflowers was enough to bring together the groups from and Bunderra in Boonah for a day of fun in the fields.
While these disability services provide much-needed support to those in need, they are a relatively new offering in Carinity’s 75-year history.
It all started in 2003 when the existing Carinity Fassifern Community Centre began to meet a local need for respite services. Thanks to State Government funding, by 2006 the specialist disability program now known as Bunderra was fully established.
Meanwhile, a group of passionate locals in Toogoolawah had worked tirelessly over several years to construct Our House, a community hub and respite accommodation for people with disabilities. In 2007, Carinity took over the at the request of the Department of Communities.
Today, Carinity provides a full range of disability services including social groups, in-home support, community access and counselling. Respite continues to be a key offering, including the newly built short-term accommodation, , in Kalbar.
For people like 23-year-old Felicity, Carinity is a home away from home and a lifeline for achieving a sense of independence.
Felicity has been a participant at Carinity Bunderra for the past five years, attending group activities, occasional overnight respite and one-on-one supports.
Felicity was born with Williams syndrome and said she can get anxious around new people.
“I was bullied a lot in school for being different. I’m so happy I now have the support of Carinity as the team understands who I am and are really friendly and caring; they’re like family to me,” Felicity said.
“My favourite worker here is Marnie, because she’s my biggest supporter and she helps me through the hard times. She takes me shopping and we have a special connection.
“If it wasn’t for Carinity, I think I would just stay in bed all the time, sad and lonely, feeling like a burden, but instead I have a purpose.
“When I come here, I love to do arts and crafts and hope to be an artist one day.
“I also really love it when I have the chance to stay overnight at Sunflower House because it gives my parents a break and it’s so quiet and peaceful.
“I love when the workers say goodnight to me, as it makes me feel safe and happy. It’s the best place you could ever go.”
Matthew is another client who is supported by , although he was absent from the recent excursion to the Kalbar Sunflower Festival.
The 38-year-old attends group activities three times a week and volunteers his time at the .
“I live with my mum, but she has been very unwell, so it’s good to come here and give her time to rest,” Matthew said.
“The staff are so good to us, they really care. They take us on trips and even help us with shopping, making sure we don’t get ripped off or scammed.
“My favourite group excursions have been to Sea World and Dreamworld, but my dream is to go to Disney World, so I’ve been collecting cans and bottles to save up money to go overseas.
“I enjoy the life skills lessons at Carinity Bunderra, especially cooking as that is my passion. I love cooking good healthy food like fresh fish or lasagne, as well as creative desserts.
“With these skills, I can help other people through my volunteer work at the community centre.”
