The Flagstaff Group

Hear from Alison again as she talks about future plans for the program and how you can be involved.

Alison Turner, Executive Manager for Marketing and Communications of the Flagstaff Group talks about the Powering Up Program, why it was created and why support from Government and community is critical.

Dianne and Emily are two of the women who attended the Powering Up program. Listen to their stories, the reasons why they joined the program, and what they hope to achieve in the future.

A Flagstaff support worker, Meg accompanied the women to many Powering Up workshops. Hear how she found the experience and leant a few things herself.

With many years in the business, Kim from Illawarra Women’s Health Centre was happy to facilitate Flagstaff’s Happy Relationships and Cyber Safety workshops. Listen to Kim talk about warning signs and how to make relationships work for you.

Isobel Foye, owner of The Hair Lounge, generously volunteered her time to help facilitate Flagstaff’s Hair and Beauty workshop. This workshop had it all - dolls heads, hair washing tips and even a braiding train. 

Julie Scarll, Flagstaff’s support officer talks about nutrition, meditation and the benefits of friendship. Listen to her experience facilitating Flagstaff’s Mediation and Cooking workshop.

Amelia McFarlane is a colour stylist who is passionate about the power of colour on the psyche. Listen to Amelia talk about Flagstaff’s Super Styling workshop, her thoughts on the program, and what she took away from the experience.

Shannon Clancy is a support facilitator for Flagstaff Group's Life Choices division. Find out about the Wellness Wheel and how it was used as a basis for workshop development.

Flagstaff’s “Powering Up” program is a holistic and practical approach for women living with disabilities to develop life and employment skills. Funded by the NSW Government’s, Investing in Women program, the program includes online modules and face-to-face workshops covering self-esteem, inner health, employment skills and financial success through practical skills and mentoring.

Marina Bian from IICONIC chairs this podcast, interviewing staff, workshop facilitators and females who attended the workshops.

So grab a cuppa, sit back and listen to our stories.

Sergeant Nick is a member of the highway patrol.  He talks about keeping a safe distance, being aware of your surroundings and not being distracted, which means not drinking or eating whilst driving and that doesn't mean just alcohol, he means all kinds of drinks even though it is not illegal it can cause distraction.

One of the big problems on the road is drinking or using drugs whilst driving.  The use of substances, be they illegal or legal, which impair a driver's ability to make correct judgements on the road is prohibited and can attract severe penalties and even a criminal conviction.  Inspector Carlo from the Lake Illawarra Police District tells us all about this and gives tips on how to stay safe on the roads.

Youth and Crime Prevention Duty Officer of the Lake Illawarra Police District, Inspector Aaron, gives us an insight of what the current road safety trends are in the area to understand what the impacts are when people are involved in accidents, including how the police themselves are affected by these incidents.  

If you have ever asked what you need to do when you are involved in an accident, and whether you need to call police or not, listen and find out.  You will hear many safety tips whether you are a pedestrian, a driver, a motorcylist or cyclist.

As Road Safety Officer at Shoalhaven City Council, Kym Snow gives her tips on safety on the road most especially for bicycle riders as many of Flagstaff's employees with disabilities take a bike to and from work.

Flagstaff receptionist Laurinda Martin works for Paper to Paper, Fine Foods and the Corporate office in rotation and she also checks all braille printed documents for Print Mail and Digital.  Laurinda started gradually losing her sight at 7 due to retinitis pigmentosa and rod cone dystrophy.  She lives a full life, engages in many social activities and even travels across Australia and if not for COVID, she would.  She was recently at Australia Zoo and traveled on the plane with her guide dog Summer.  Not too long ago, she was crossing the road with her mother-in-law at the time when a speeding car went through the red lights and hit them both. She was flung 13 metres and had to take 8 weeks off work while her mother-in-law at the time had bleeding in the brain.  The driver of the car that hit them came off lightly with a $200 fine and 6 months licence suspension with no jail time.

The Flagstaff Group is a social enterprise supporting the employment of people living with disability.  The Smart and Safe Program aims to increase awareness of road safety for people living with a disability.

We could use more patience and courtesy on the road.  Danielle works for Flagstaff's Print, Mail and Digital division as a receptionist.  She just had her car totaled by an impatient driver and caused her quite a lot of trouble getting to and from work until she got a replacement.  Danielle's acquired brain injury was due to an asthma attack 20 years ago.  Her best advise to drivers is to slow down and take extra care coming out of driveways.  Mainly, she would like other drivers to be more patient.

The Flagstaff Group is a social enterprise supporting the employment of people living with disability.  The Smart and Safe Program aims to increase awareness of road safety for people living with a disability.

Not all disabilities are visible.  Hidden disabilities are no less challenging to live with and Cameron tells his story about living with Schizophrenia, epilepsy and autism.  Mostly unsupervised as a child, he fell from a shipping container which caused his brain injury.  He tried to get his driver's licence but could not pass the theory test.  At the time this was recorded, he was taking the Flagstaff Life Choices Learner Driver Program and shares an acronym he learned - SIPDE - Scan, Identify, Predict, Decide and Execute.  He is currently looking at buying a second hand car.

Cameron works for Flagstaff Print, Mail and Digital Division which is a social enterprise supporting the employment of people living with disability.  The Smart and Safe Program aims to increase awareness of road safety for people living with a disability. 

Aaron Cannon has been working at Flagstaff for 9 years mostly with the Paper to Paper division.  He drives forklifts for moving recycled materials within the plant with a great deal of skill.  His road to employment through Flagstaff's Life Choices programs such as the Learner Driver program has given him the confidence and skills to perform his job.  He beams with pride when he talks about the brand new car that he purchased himself.  He talks about what he has learnt to stay safe on the roads and be a smart driver.  

Flagstaff Paper to Paper division is a social enterprise supporting the employment of people living with disability.  The Smart and Safe Program aims to increase awareness of road safety for people living with a disability.

The Disability Inclusion Discovery Program, or diD for short, is designed for employers and their staff to learn about customer service and employment of people with a disability. Discover how the Disability Inclusion program can benefit your business offering one on one support, on-line or face-to-face training and practical information on working with people with a disability.

Be recognised as an inclusive and accessible business, earn the diD Tick of Approval.