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Remembering Sorry Day …
... and the impact of the Stolen Generations on all Aboriginal people in Australia. Our thoughts are with our staff, our participants, our wider communities and their loved ones. We remember and honour Elders past, present and those who are yet to come. Sorry Day has...
Patricia puts the circus behind her
The circus in Patricia's head started when she was a small child growing up in Sydney. “Even before I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder I always knew something was wrong,” she says. “When I was very young I used to take days off school because I felt unwell, and...
Right Support. Right Time. 2019 Better Chances Regional Forum
The 2019 Better Chances Regional Forum will focus on the skills, support and relationships we need to do better. It’s an opportunity to challenge ourselves as workers, managers and organisations in community, health and education services, and as community members,...
From hobby sketching to the Archibald Prize
When Zion Levy Stewart first started sketching people who visited his family home at age 20, everyone thought it might help him pass the time. Twenty years on, this National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participant was an entrant in this year's 2019 Archibald...
Social Futures joins Everybody’s Home
Social Futures is now an Everybody's Home Campaign partner Everybody's Home is led by leading housing associations and homelessness providers. It is calling on governments at all levels to: Support first home buyers Develop a National Housing Strategy Ensure a better...
There’s no place like home
Just a few years ago, Tammy had reached the point of considering moving into supported accommodation due to the impact of her disability. The long-term Forbes resident was increasingly isolated and incapacitated by Devic’s disease, caused by the inflammation and...
Free skate, scooter and BMX clinics in GRAFTON
Get OFF THE WALL this week with FREE skate, scooter and BMX clinics at Grafton Skate Park! WHEN? FROM 2-4.30pm on Tuesday 16 April - BMX Wednesday 17 April - Scooter Thursday 18 April - Skate WHERE? Grafton Skate Park Limited spaces, book your places! Call Sonya 0427...
Fifteen fabulous young songwriters will battle it out for prizes
Fifteen young songwriters have been chosen to perform live at this year’s Lismore Young Songwriters Competition Finalists Showcase on Friday 12 April [tomorrow] at Studio One29, Southern Cross University. The young songwriters hail from Byron Bay, Mullumbimby,...
Zac’s change of scenery pays off
When Zac Oatley moved to Yamba on NSW's North Coast with his family two years ago it was the start of a new life in more ways than one. Not only was it a change of scenery from his native Queensland, it was also the start of his National Disability Insurance Scheme...
Budget underwhelming for Northern Rivers residents
Social Futures CEO Tony Davies has welcomed the Federal Budget announcement that $527.9 million has been set aside for the proposed Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People With a Disability – but says there is little else to celebrate...
Katy blossoms as independence grows
Katy is the apple of her parents' eye but they don't shy away from the tough times they have experienced in raising her. Now 30 years old, Katy has a significant intellectual disability and other medical issues and has required 24/7 care for her entire life....
Nathan’s night of nights
Nathan Johnston is a born performer and artist. Raised and still living with his family in NSW's Tweed Heads region, he has always loved acting, painting and singing. Since leaving school 10 years ago he’s taken his talent to the next level, and with the...
Jacqui overcomes the odds
Jacqui and her father Don (pictured here with LAC Cindy at left) have overcome the sorts of odds that would have defeated most people many times over – and still come up smiling. The story begins in 1980 when, as a 15 year old, Jacqui was a passenger in a car...
Opportunity Pathways … a new route to housing independence
Opportunity Pathways is a new program that is designed to break the cycle of disadvantage for social housing recipients. It will also reduce their reliance on government-funded social housing or Rent Choice subsidies. Anita Mansfield from Social Futures, says “This...
Housing Crisis: NEW STUDY SHOWS ONE MILLION HOMES NEEDED
New national research backs the Northern Rivers community’s call to address the housing crisis in our region, where over 12,000 households are experiencing rental stress and more than 3,000 households are on the social housing waitlist. The research is contained in a...
$11.5K Prizes for young songwriters
Entrants in the Lismore Young Songwriters Competition this year are in the running to win $11,500 of prizes. Deb Hall from one of the organising partners Social Futures hopes young people will be encouraged to enter and help fire up their musical careers. “Our two top...
Jordan swaps Struggle Street for a social whirl
When Denise gave birth to her son Jordan, the main concern was that he was three months premature. “He was born early due to an infection but beyond that he was just a normal, beautiful baby boy,” she says. But shortly after Jordan returned home with his...
Pre-election Housing Forum BALLINA 5 March
On Tuesday 5 March, Homelessness NSW and the New South Wales Council of Social Service will provide an opportunity for Northern Rivers residents to put their questions about housing to candidates standing for the NSW Elections on 23 March. The Northern...
So many plusses to Northern Rivers buses
A local bus devotee is on a quest to change people’s perception about catching public transport just in time for #CarFreeFeb. Ballina local, Jacqueline Alinaitwe has been catching the new Ballina – Byron – Lismore commuter bus since the trial route began in December...
Free bus travel on 28 February!
Northern Rivers residents are invited to try alternatives to car travel next week. Seven local bus companies are giving passengers FREE BUS TRAVEL on Thursday 28 February. “In regional areas, we often we jump in the car and drive where we need to go without thinking"...
Tweed is first cab off the rank for transport information day
Tweed residents are invited to have their transport questions answered at Tweed City Shopping Centre on 28 February from 9am-2pm. Tony Davies, CEO of Social Futures who is presenting the day in partnership with transport operators and Tweed Council says invites Tweed...
Roger steals the show
The first words out of Roger’s mouth each morning when he wakes up are ‘Tuesday’ and ‘Thursday’, because he’s hoping it is a day he can go to the Vivability day program that he loves. He can access the program with funding in his National Disability Insurance Scheme...
Clubhouse seeking volunteers
Do you want to inspire young people? We are on the lookout for energetic people to teach, encourage and inspire our members. If you have skills and interests in fields like: Engineering, Robotics, Coding, Electronics, Science, Technology or Maths - the Lismore...
Young Songwriters Competition now open for entries!
The ninth Lismore Young Songwriters Competition is now open for entries from 12-25 year old Northern Rivers residents. Deb Hall from Social Futures - one of the organising committee says the competition is an incredible avenue for regional young songwriters to...