Laughter, music and festive cheer filled KidsWish House recently as people from our Illawarra Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes came together for a Christmas in July celebration.
Organised by The Disability Trust’s Social Committee and supported by our residential teams, guests enjoyed a luncheon, music, dancing and a visit from Santa.
Building connections across the Illawarra
The event provided an opportunity for people from different homes to reconnect with friends and meet new people.
Our Manager of Accommodation Services, Jacob Viselli, said “It was wonderful to see so many participants reconnecting, building friendships and enjoying the celebration. One of the highlights for me was seeing it all come together and witnessing the joy on everyone’s faces. It certainly left me with the biggest smile of my own.”
Personalised support from dedicated staff
Events like this reflect the dedication and collaboration of our staff, who share a commitment to creating positive experiences for all involved.
From coordinating transport and planning activities to providing support throughout the celebration, staff worked closely with each person to ensure they could attend and participate in a way that reflected their individual needs and preferences.
Jacob said: “It has been a privilege to be part of our Social Committee and to help plan and deliver events such as Christmas in July. These occasions are driven by our staff and participants, with the goal of creating meaningful and enjoyable experiences that foster connection, community and inclusion.
“This event came together thanks to the dedication of our Social Committee members, who generously invested their time and energy into fundraising and organising the day.”
Supported Independent Living beyond the home
Our Supported Independent Living homes provide more than accommodation. They support people to live independently, pursue their goals, develop skills, participate in local events and build connections within their communities.
As friendships were strengthened and new memories were created, the event’s success highlighted the strong sense of community that exists across our Illawarra Home and Living services.
If you would like to find out more about Supported Independent Living or short-term accommodation, please contact our team on 1300 347 224.
