Hearth Support Services is inspiring inclusion for IWD 2024: Georgia’s Story

IN 2023, Hearth teamed up with Cadbury and Mondelez Australia to provide real and impactful employment opportunities for people with a disability.

The role of Store Merchandiser matched Georgia’s interests and passions. Georgia works two days a week between two grocery stores in Bendigo.

Since commencing her role with Cadbury, Georgia has continued building her capacity and confidence, with the support of her skilled Hearth Support Worker.

Georgia’s mother, Melinda, says of her daughter’s experience, “She’s very proud of the work that she does.”

“She stands taller, walks straighter and you can really see when she’s had a good day at work. She has more independence now because she’s got income coming in. Her confidence is huge.”

Georgia is a real-life example of this year’s International Women’s Day theme Inspiring Inclusion, paving the way for others to find meaningful long-term employment.

In 2024, Hearth continues our mission to match participants like Georgia with other leading employers in Bendigo and metropolitan Melbourne.

Hearth Support Services began through the lived experience of founder Justin and his son Tristan, built from scratch from 2017 to strive to transform disability support, constantly evolving through experience with hundreds of support workers and participants and strengthened through deep sector collaborations, including with leading universities and the Hearth Advisory Board.

The initial focus of Hearth was recruiting, employing, matching, and training support workers.

In 2021, the services were extended to incorporate allied health (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, positive behaviour support and speech pathology) and housing (new approach to non-specialist disability accommodation).

This was based on a need for Hearth participants and the rest of the sector.

The “Hearth way” of participant support works best when the entire team comes together to support and enable the participant’s goals.

In 2021, Hearth opened our doors in Central Victoria and has been delivering sustainable support to participants like Georgia in the Greater Bendigo region ever since.

Hearth now provides sustainable long-term support for a broad range of participants including those needing complex support 24/7, 365 days a year.

To learn more about how Hearth is inspiring inclusion through Open Employment Opportunities, give us a call on 1800 894 013.