At the time of going to print, Northcott Wollongong staff and customers were beginning to settle into our new Disability Community Hub in Dapto. This purpose-built, accessible centre brings Northcott’s Illawarra workforce and services under the one roof.

Peaches and Cream

Our Sexuality and Relationship Education team was thrilled to collaborate with inclusive film company Bus Stop Films in the production of Peaches and Cream. The film explores consent, sexting and safe online dating through the eyes of a couple with intellectual disability. As an educator on the film, Northcott counsellor Patrick Hukins delivered workshops, informed the script and created an educational resource to sit alongside the film. We were grateful to receive grants from the Profield Foundation and auDA Foundation to make this project possible!

Mardi Gras mayhem!

Check it out in our video!

“I felt so much pride, not just in myself, but in everybody that was involved, because together we got to showcase an inclusive world where people with disability, whether they are a part of the LBGTQIA+ community or not, are a part of,” said Travis, Northcott 2024 Mardi Gras Ambassador.

Travis joined 80 allies from Northcott, Afford and Cerebral Palsy Alliance at the 2024 Mardi Gras parade to celebrate LGBTQIA+ diversity.

Early Childhood First Nations Team

To better support our work with Aboriginal children, families and communities, we recruited four First Nations staff to our Early Childhood team. The team has formed strong partnerships in several remote communities in the New England region, northern NSW and Kempsey area, as well as in Western Sydney, and are supporting First Nations families to access support they previously weren’t able to.

Learn to drive support

In partnership with The Disability Trust and with funding from Camden Council, we supported 19 Northcott customers to learn about driving in preparation for taking the Learner Driver’s theory test. Recognising that a group setting can sometimes be a more effective learning environment, participants came together for 10 weekly sessions led by a support worker.

“I had tried to study the road code by myself before joining this group by reading the study book over and over. But I struggled to remember all the content. Coming to these lessons and then filling out the worksheets that are given at the end has been so helpful for my memory,” said one participant.

Customer Art Show

Our customers in Parramatta enjoyed creating their own artworks for an exhibition they organised themselves.

The artistic talents of our customers from Parramatta were on show in December at their very own art exhibition. Supported by a grant from Parramatta Leagues Club, staff and customers worked together to create the show. Through meetings, together they purchased art materials, booked the venue, and created each art project. These experiences allowed our customers to gain valuable life skills like planning and how to work together in a team. They also broadened their skills and grew in confidence and independence!

Tertiary scholarships

Each year, Northcott and our subsidiary, The SpineCare Foundation, are delighted to support students with disability to participate in tertiary education through six generous scholarship opportunities made possible through the enduring commitment of several Trusts and Foundations.

Students receive financial assistance to help cover the cost of study expenses including transport, computer equipment, library and internet charges, on-campus accommodation, personal care, scribes and tutors.