Our Year in Review

Welcome from Chief Executive, Claire Robbs and Greg Ridder, Chair

We dedicate this Annual Report to the thousands of people, carers, staff and communities whose journey we have been a part of and contributed to our organisation and journey over the past 30 years. From our earliest days, when a small group of people came together in Newcastle to challenge barriers in the local community to the national organisation we are today, our story has always been about people. In this report, we reflect on our journey to now, the impact achieved under our Strategy 2025 and the incredible stories we have witnessed over the year. Strategy 2025 has guided us through a period of transformation, incredible relationships and deep listening and learning.

The past thirty years have given us the experience and knowledge we need to be led by the same values that have carried us this far—relationships, imagination, courage, responsiveness, and respect.

View the Interactive 2024-25 report here.

Watch our highlights from the last 30 years as we reflect on then, now and next.

30 Years of Life Without Barriers

Celebrating 30 years of partnering with people to change lives for the better, guided by our values of respect, responsiveness, courage, imagination and relationships.

The Fireflies performed their favourite songs to celebrate Life Without Barriers’ 30 year anniversary, filmed at their studio in Life Without Barriers’ historic Broadmeadows Centre, and as they busked at Nobby’s Beach, Newcastle.

Lived Experience Guides Us

The essence of Life Without Barriers has always been the importance we place on our values and relationships. It is the people that we partner with that have enabled us to extend the impact we are having across Australia.

Influencing Systemic Barriers

Careers

Meet our Board Observer Chloe

"My ambition is to bring together my work in community and in governance, and to build empowering organisation...

Child, youth and family

The lived experiences of care leavers helps to connect theory and...

"I joined the Youth Advisory Group because I thought that it would be a great way to have my voice heard and n...

Education

Bookmarks with a Voice: Youth Advisory Groups join Hook into Book...

"I love how they converted my drawing, and also am very grateful that I got to do such a fun activity/artwork....

Impact for future generations

Child, youth and family

Building Caring Communities inspires a shift in child and family ...

A central theme that echoed throughout the conference was the power and necessity of elevating lived experienc...

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

A legacy that lives on: Honouring Uncle Mal

Uncle Malcolm Gollan's leadership and spirit shaped a profound legacy, that continues to guide Life Without Ba...

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Winanga-Li and Life Without Barriers walk together

Life Without Barriers and Winanga-Li partner to transition Aboriginal children living with non-Indigenous care...

Delivering Great Services

Mental Health

Mental health matters, lived experience is at the heart of Ashlei...

“We need to follow the lead of the person at the heart of it all.”

Asylum seekers

How Sha was empowered by support and transformed by opportunity

"Their guidance has been life changing," Sha said about the Housing and Employment Team at Life Without Barrie...

Aged Care

From pottery to writing, unleashing creativity at every age with ...

Meredith and John, two individuals supported by Life Without Barriers Aged Care services, explore their creati...

We co-hosted the Building Caring Communities International Conference with the Residential Childcare Project, Allambi Care and UnitingCare Qld. Practitioners, people with lived experience, and researchers united to challenge systemic issues and improve the futures of children and families impacted by the child protection system. Youth advocates and parents with experience in out-of-home care, central to the discussions, reminded us that lasting change happens when those most affected are involved in shaping practice and decisions.