Feros Care joins Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community for culturally appropriate pathway.

“Feros Care is here and we’re here to stay”.

That’s the message from Community Development Coordinator Carrie Elliot, who took the mantra to Townsville’s Indigenous Elders Games.

Feros Care is a partner in the community delivering the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) in Townsville, as well as Mackay, North Adelaide, Barossa Valley and ACT. The Feros Care team are committed to supporting and increasing opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders with living with disability to gain access to the Scheme.

ILC CONNECTS A DIVERSE GROUP OF PEOPLE 

From this opportunity, the Pathways Project was born. One of 25 Information, Linkages and Capacity (ILC) building projects, the Pathways project in Townsville aims to build culturally appropriate pathways to the NDIS for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Building relationships and trust is integral and Carrie and the team enjoyed connecting with the community through the Indigenous Elders Games.

“We were invited to attend the Games and it has been a really good opportunity to hear people’s stories. We’re showing we’re out there in the community to understand how we can strengthen our relationships,” she said.

Scheduled to run for 10 weeks for those 50 years of age and over, the Games attracted 30 plus competitors a day until the games were postponed due to current climate restrictions.

Including 10-pin bowling, quoits, darts and other activities, Carrie said they were proving a great way to get active while building relationships and knowledge.

Carrie helped out at the games – lending a hand with morning tea and lunch – and making connections with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders, opening up the conversation around disability, and NDIS success stories.

Carrie has also provided information and support around the NDIS.

“Just being there and letting Elders see Feros Care is part of the Townsville community was important - we’re here for the long haul,” Carrie said.

OUR PROJECTS ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE

With community engagement activities a key focus of the project, Carrie was attending the games one day a week.

Hoping the project can lead to improving lives, Carrie said a focus was helping to open doors and pathways for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

“They’re committed to their family members and being here is helping to build people’s capacity and NDIS knowledge,” she said.

“It’s also about supporting the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community access the NDIS and show the opportunities that it could help create in a culturally appropriate way.”

“It’s a big circle of helping strengthen our communities.”

Carrie said the project was set to continue moving ahead in the future.

“I’m just so grateful to be able to play a part,” she said.

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