It is a core belief of Interchange WA that Everyone Belongs. So, when Sophie reached out to us to move into a Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), we saw it as an opportunity knew it was an opportunity to empower a sense of belonging in the best way possible.
That’s because Sophie had a very good reason for making her move: friendship.
She’d lived in other SDA homes before, where her support needs were met, but it was never quite the right fit. While the Supported Disability Accommodation (SDA) houses were nice, they weren’t quite a home. That’s why, when she learned that her best friend was moving into a new SDA home that Interchange WA is providing services to, she took the opportunity to move with him.
Even though the move is recent, the joy it has brought her is plain to see. She now has a warm home, a friendly housemate, and a dependable support team behind her as she works towards her NDIS goals. Best of all, she’s able to enjoy time with her friend while growing her independence. Whether it’s watching movies, dancing, or cooking, she’s enjoying the new possibilities her home has opened as well as the old habits she loves.
Our Support, Her Choice
With the support of Interchange WA staff, Sophie has become more involved in her home life. Parts of life that have previously been left to other Support Workers, like cleaning and the weekly menu, are now decisions she’s expressing choice and control over. Now she not only has a hand in choosing the meals for the week, she’s also been motivated to play a role in the kitchen with the aid of an adapted cutting board and rolling knife.
This newfound freedom to cook for herself more easily has created new possibilities for her community access, which she goes on four times a week. In the past, she would buy her lunch while out and about. But now she has the independence to prepare lunch with her Support Workers at home and take it out with her, a decision that was inspired by her housemate, who makes his lunch every day with his Support Workers.
Sophie is a very outgoing individual who loves going out as part of her Social and Community Participation supports. She’s an avid dancer, attending Zumba classes every week, and she even tried her hand at belly dancing. She’s also a member of a program for young women with disability where she can exercise and build relationships with the people in her community. It’s this sort of outgoing attitude and love for being out in her community that led to her originally meeting her friend and forging the bond that brought her to Interchange WA.
Thank you for joining Interchange WA, Sophie. We look forward to supporting you, and we hope you love living with your friend in your new home.
Sophie’s home has one more bedroom with ensuite available for one more customer to join. If you’re interested, take a look at our accommodation page.
Belonging starts with being heard. Tell us what matters to you, and let’s make it happen together. Explore our SIL Services to begin your journey with us.
