Supporting customers

We support people with disability to
achieve their goals, whatever they may be.
Here are some stories of impact from
2022-23.

A woman is in a motorised wheelchair. A man with long blond hair and a moustache is walking beside her. They are outside in a park. They are chatting and smiling at each other.

Their stories

Highlights

Athletics Carnivals

Our Athletics Carnivals are a great day out for kids with disability.

Almost 150 primary and secondary school students competed in Northcott’s two inclusive Athletics Carnivals in November. The carnivals were sponsored by Western Earthmoving with our inclusive fitness partner WeFlex organising races and activities. Children took part in adaptable events that matched their abilities. For the first time, the carnivals also had a sensory safe space for kids who needed a break from the competitive environment. Northcott therapists were on hand running games in the calming space.

iSplash swim program for kids with disability

Our iSplash program combined swimming skills with social skills development.

Using an Australian Government Information Linkages and Capacity (ILC) Building grant, we developed and delivered a tailored Learn to Swim program for children with disability and neurodiversity in the Wollongong area. Kate Dryden and Lauren Williams, Northcott Occupational Therapists, and Cameron Ryan, Allied Health Assistant, ran iSplash for 20 kids over Terms 1 and 2 in 2023. Our team’s therapy knowledge about sensory and emotional needs, as well as their expertise in social skills development for children with disability were some of the unique benefits of the program.

New disability homes

Northcott is a leading provider of purpose-built disability housing.

This year, we opened two new purpose-built disability homes. In August 2022, we joined our partner Good Housing to break ground on a purpose-built villa complex in Albury. Then in April we were delighted to officially open a new disability housing development in Ballina with developer Casa Capace. We have several other new properties in the pipeline.

Early Childhood Services

Our Early Childhood Services have continued to go from strength to strength.

In June, Northcott was named as the NDIS Early Childhood Partner in the Community for the Northern Sydney region. This is now the 5th region where Northcott provides early childhood support under the NDIS. Since 2018, we have been supporting children with disability and developmental delay and their families in Western Sydney, Hunter New England, Mid North Coast and Northern NSW. From 1 October 2023, Northcott will support 2,100 children with disability and developmental delay and their families in the region.

The NDIA also announced that Northcott’s role as Early Childhood Partner in the Community for the existing 4 regions has been extended to 30 June 2025.

Active Therapy Space

Northcott CEO Liz Forsyth and Board member, Richard Blaiklock opened Walu Dynamila.

Therapy customers and staff are loving our new outdoor Active Therapy Space in the revamped playground at our North Parramatta office. The upgrade has made the space more functional and welcoming. Our Therapy team are using the area and equipment to support children with disability to develop and build their daily skills while having fun in the playground. We’ve named the space, “Walu Dynamila”, which means ‘Let’s go play’! It was made possible with support from Baresque, Western Earthmoving and the NSW Government.

Watch our video to learn more about the space!

Tertiary Scholarships

Northcott was grateful to receive a donation and bequest from the late John Moxon AM and his wife, Margaret, to enable a new Tertiary Scholarship award.

29 students supported in 2022-23

Every year our subsidiary The SpineCare Foundation administers the Northcott Tertiary Scholarship Program, made possible by the enduring commitment of several Trusts and Foundations. This long-running program supports people with disability to pursue tertiary education. Students receive a financial grant to put towards costs such as transport, computer equipment, library and internet charges, textbooks, on-campus accommodation, personal care and scribes and tutors.

This year, we introduced a new scholarship, thanks to a bequest from the estate of disability advocate and quadriplegic, John Moxon AM, and a donation from Parramatta Computer Pals for Seniors. Having lived more than 40 years with Spinal Cord Injury, Mr Moxon and his wife, Margaret had a long association with Northcott.

Date nights!

Our date nights in Parramatta were a huge success!

Our Sexuality and Relationship Education service hosted two “LOVE-ABLE” date nights in Parramatta for adults with disability. The nights were a big hit, with people enjoying conversations, food, dancing and trivia. Experienced Northcott support workers and relationship counsellors were on hand all night to provide support when needed.

The nights were a chance for people to build confidence in social settings and practice their social skills in a safe environment, which can sometimes be difficult for people with disability without many events like this to attend.

More support for our customers

We introduced a new Customer Partner role to better support our customers to achieve their goals. Customer Partners work closely with customers and their support network to get to know them and ensure they are accessing the most appropriate Northcott services and using their NDIS funding to the best of their ability.

Click on the video above to learn more about our Customers Partners.

 

Human Rights Conference

A black rectangle with rainbow coloured paint strips on the left hand corner. There are four photos in the black rectangle and the words: Inclusion Squared: breaking down barriers surround the LGBTQIA+ disability community A panel discussion by Northcott for Sydney WorldPride Human Rights Conference 12.55pm Friday 3 March 2023.

We were delighted to support three customers to appear on a panel at the WorldPride Human Rights Conference in Sydney in March. The customers bravely shared their lived experiences of the challenges they have faced as people with disability who identify as LGBTQIA+.

Being more accessible

In November, we asked the people we support to provide feedback on the services and supports they receive from Northcott.

This year’s survey was available in seven languages including Mandarin, Arabic, Vietnamese, and Easy English with Key Word Sign, as well as a video version. Participants were able to complete the online survey using text, voice recording or video recordings. Providing a range of formats allowed people to access and respond to the survey in a way that best suits them. This is in line with Northcott’s goal to be more inclusive and accessible.