Meet Peter, a long-time local of the Coogee, who recently moved into his new home on Gadigal land, with the support of Life Without Barriers.
Image: Peter is smiling and standing out the front of his home in Mascot, NSW.
After spending a long time in hospital recovering from a stroke, Peter was eager to find a place where he could feel independent and be close to his family again.
"He had been medically fit to leave hospital for several weeks but just had nowhere to go" shared Christopher, Senior Project Officer at Life Without Barriers.
"He was busting to get out."
Once Life Without Barriers heard about the situation Peter was in, the motivation was to get him out of hospital and into a safe, supported, environment. Peter recently moved into the very first Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA) home supported in Sydney by Life Without Barriers’ Home and Living team.
The speed with which the local team, lead by Kirk, Regional Operations Manager, and the Home and Living team was amazing. Within two months, renovations were completed, the house was modified to 'Improved Livability', a new support team was created, and safety equipment was installed.
"We moved heaven and earth to make this happen quickly for Peter," said Chris.
Peter was able to move into his new home in June, just weeks after Life Without Barriers learned of his needs.
Image: Peter is wearing a dark turtleneck and has glasses on his head. He is sitting on a dark lounge against a white wall. He is smiling and looking into the camera.
The housing provider, AccessAccom, said, "Wow you guys have been so responsive. I am really surprised that a large company like Life Without Barriers could act so quickly, what a great outcome for Peter."
Now that Peter is settled and happy in his home, he is looking for a friendly new housemate to join him on this next exciting chapter of his life.
"He loves the staff and really enjoys being in the new home. He is looking for a flatmate, someone that loves having a chat, maybe another guy that wants to hang out, go to the beach, talk about skiing and watching the footy," shared Chris.
"Peter is loving his new space, especially the kitchen, where he's getting better every day at preparing his own meals. He’s proud of how far he’s come and excited about what’s ahead."
His dream now? To get back to the surf and the snow.
A passionate surfer in his younger years, Peter grew up around Coogee Beach and still enjoys being close to the water. He was also a passionate skier and would regularly go to the snow.
His sister and parents, who still live nearby, visit the home often, bringing warmth and familiarity to his new routine.
Image: Modern single-storey house with a dark tiled roof and white exterior walls, viewed from the street at dusk.
Searching for the right housemate
Peter is looking for someone who enjoys company, a good chat, and maybe even the beach. He’d love a housemate who shares similar interests, like catching the footy, sharing meals, or talking about travel and skiing.
There is one vacant bedroom with air conditioning, heating, hardwood flooring, built-in robes and its own accessible ensuite bathroom, ensuring convenience and privacy.
Could you be the right fit?
This newly refurbished SDA house has all the right supports in place. With a comfortable, modern layout and dedicated staff, Peter now has the space and assistance he needs to focus on his health and independence.
Situated in the heart of Mascot, this home is in close proximity to essential amenities, including medical centres, a shopping strip and Eastgardens Shopping Centre which offers a variety of dining, shopping and entertainment options.
For those interested in becoming a part of this welcoming home, we would love to hear from you. You can view the Mascot vacancy listing here or get in touch with Life Without Barriers Supported Independent Living team on 1800 610 699 or disability.enquiries@lwb.org.au.
Image: Open-plan interior view showing a lounge area with tan armchairs and a wooden coffee table, transitioning into a dining space and kitchen with wooden floors and neutral-toned walls.
Why should I choose Supported Independent Living?
Supported Independent Living is a great way to live more independently while having easy access to assisted living support.
Life Without Barriers' Disability Support Workers can be there 24/7 or they can provide day-to-day assistance. All our assisted living homes are designed to make you feel comfortable, safe and at home!
We'd love to discuss what you are looking for and how we can support you. You can check out our current vacancies in NSW here or get in touch with the team on 1800 610 699 or disability.enquiries@lwb.org.au.
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We will always honour the trust placed in us to bring a person's story forward.
