DISABILITY care organisation Pathfinders has won a prestigious Enablement Award for The Most Outstanding Regional Not-for-Profit Providing NDIS Services for Children, Youth and Families.
The award was in the Care Services category and recognises organisations that demonstrate market leadership, inspirational performance, innovative service models and a commitment to enhancing the customer experience in the disability care sector across Australasia.
The organisation’s Support Your Path (SYP) program in Coffs Harbour provides personalised, innovative support to help participants embrace life, achieve their goals, and learn skills through participation that ultimately lead to independence.
Services include assistance with daily living, community participation, development of life skills, employment support, and support coordination.
“Support Your Path’s success comes from our ability to personalise support around each participant’s goals and daily life, leading to meaningful and measurable outcomes,” Pathfinders Disabilities Support Manager Simone Goodfellow said.
“For example, we have supported 14 participants in the Coffs Coast area to secure independent housing with Pathfinders.
“With the ongoing guidance of their support workers, who assist with budgeting, shopping, meal preparation, maintaining their homes, and community engagement, participants have developed greater independence and confidence in managing their daily lives.
“We also actively involve each participant’s support network, including therapists, support coordinators, and family members, while always maintaining a person-centred approach.
“This ensures each individual’s goals remain at the centre of planning and support.”
This approach has led to strong outcomes.
One young male participant, for example, was supported through driving lessons with his support worker and successfully obtained his provisional licence, significantly increasing his independence and community access.
Others have built skills through volunteering, training, and course participation, leading to casual employment opportunities and improved self-esteem.
“Our flexible, person-centred approach means participants feel respected, empowered, and capable, which is why it works,” Ms Goodfellow said.
In Coffs Harbour, Pathfinders is introducing structured social activities to further build connection and inclusion.
On a monthly schedule, participants will have the opportunity to choose from activities in the community such as walking, coffee outings, barbeques, fishing trips, or creative art and craft sessions hosted weekly at the Pathfinders base.
By Andrea FERRARI
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