Community crew

Emily Reynolds is a social worker at Nundah Community Enterprise Co-operative (NCEC), a not-for-profit organisation that supports people with a mental illness, learning difficulty or intellectual disability with employment and training opportunities.

Emily supports staff in her part-time role as a supervisor at the Espresso Train—a café and catering business run by NCEC. She also co-ordinates the Community Crew project—a program funded by the Brisbane City Council to help people with intellectual disabilities find and keep jobs that suit their skills and interests.

Emily spoke to Disability Online about the Community Crew project and what she feels is important to help people with disability and mental illness find and keep suitable jobs.

Disability Online: What is the purpose of the Community Crew project?

Emily:  The project aims to create engagement and inclusion opportunities for people with intellectual disabilities. This can be achieved by assisting people find and keep roles in the workforce which first and foremost meet their needs and interests and provide them with a job or meaningful engagement with the community. This will generally take the shape of a micro-business or a niche volunteer role. We want people to be proud of what they do-visible and given the opportunities which are generally available to people without disabilities.

Disability Online: How is a micro enterprise plan set up for a person with a disability or a mental illness?

Emily: This varies from person to person. Initially it is all about them, their family and their context. A lot of time goes into thinking about what kind of role would be suited to the person based on their interests, passions, abilities, and links in the community and support network. This happens before exploring options to turn that into a business. Once a niche role is thought of, it is then a matter of exploring whether it would make a viable business, deciding on an appropriate business structure and creating networks to support the business. Or, in the case of a volunteer role, it is a matter of contacting appropriate workplaces and using networks to find a place which might offer volunteer work and the right support.

Disability Online: How important is it that a job suits a person with a disability or a mental health issue?

Emily: Often we don't know the capabilities of a person until we know them well. It is too easy for people to disregard the contribution that can be made to a workplace by a person with a disability. However, it has been demonstrated that people with a disability can work productively when given the right situation and provided with the right support on an on-going basis. We have seen remarkable things occur when people find the right workplace and the right role. By giving people the opportunity to contribute to a workplace and feel a sense of ownership over the work that they are doing, they are able to build confidence and capacity. Many workplaces find it difficult to incorporate people with a disability in a meaningful way. However, when a workplace can bend a little or the right situation can be found, people working in that environment flourish.

Disability Online: How can employment provide positive support for a person with a disability or a mental illness in the community?

Emily: You can see changes in people with a disability when they engage in meaningful work. It can reduce anxiety and increase confidence, self-esteem and a sense of self worth. It also links people together. Many people with a disability have been socially isolated, and a workplace can provide opportunities for them to meet new people and to be involved and engaged in their community. Work keeps people busy, and it gives them a reason to get up in the morning. All of these things impact on a person's wellbeing.

Disability Online: What have your learnt in your time on the job?

Emily: This role has taught me a lot about the disability sector and creative solutions to complex problems faced by people with a disability. I feel very lucky to have joined a sector so passionate about inclusion and thinking differently in order to gain better outcomes for people with a disability.

NCEC is interested in hearing from any businesses that can help out with supporting the Community Crew Project, which is currently operating in the Brisbane catchment area. People with an intellectual disability, learning difficulty or mental illness, as well as their parents, families and carers, can also contact NCEC for more information.

Phone: (07) 3266 5633

Email: projects.communityliving@gmail.com

Website: www.ncec.com.au