Then, our Beginnings 1995 - 2009 | 30 Years with Life Without Barriers

This year, we celebrate three decades of milestones, memories and community spirit. Throughout September and October, we’ll be sharing 30 stories for 30 years.

Image: Black and white photo of Life Without Barriers Centre from 1997.

Then: Our Beginnings | 1995 - 2009

The concept of Life Without Barriers was first discussed in 1992, by a group of people in Newcastle, as a way for people with disability to make the decisions affecting their lives.

Two community leaders who shared a passion for improving the lives of people living with a disability proposed to create a new non-government, secular organisation for people living with a disability. A Board was formed and Life Without Barriers commenced operation, with regular meetings upstairs in Newcastle's Delany Hotel, Life Without Barriers was born.

The Board lobbied local businesses for funding and the Newcastle City Council for the use of a run down, old bowling club at Parry Street. $500,000 was raised to refurbish the old club and fund what was needed to start new Life Without Barriers services.

In May, Life Without Barriers moved into the Life Without Barriers Centre and so began the journey of more opportunities for people with a disability living in the Hunter region.

Image: Black and white photo of 'Life Theatre' performing at the Life Without Barriers centre.

1996 - 1997: Camps, Creativity & Community

The years 1996 and 1997 were a time of energy and creativity, as staff and volunteers came together to design experiences that offered joy, connection and respite.

One of the standout initiatives was the introduction of Carer Camps. Held over selected weekends, these camps brought carers and volunteers together in a relaxed setting. What made the camps truly unique was their dual focus, offering carers a chance to step back and recharge, while also creating memorable experiences for participants and the volunteers supporting them. The camps became remembered as weekends filled with laughter, shared experiences and lasting friendships. During this time, the Performing Arts Committee was awarded a grant from the Newcastle Bicentenary Events Corporation to establish ‘Life Theatre’.

With professional teachers leading the way, an integrated group came together to explore movement, singing and drama through a series of workshops. The culmination of this work was the creation and performance of ‘The Riddle’ – a production that showcased not only artistic talent but also the power of collaboration and shared expression.

Together, these initiatives reflected the organisation’s vision at the time: to provide opportunities in recreation and social activity for people with disability and support to families and carers, while celebrating the creative spirit of the community.

Image: A black and white photo of the 'Life Soccer' team standing on an oval.

1999 - 2000: Soccer United Our Community

In 1999 and 2000, Life Without Barriers had both a junior and senior soccer team playing at the Speed Soccer Centre in Cardiff, near Newcastle NSW. Organised and supported entirely by volunteers, the teams gave players the chance to enjoy the game, stay active, build skills and form friendships.

The senior team had been with Life Without Barriers since the organisation was first established. By 1999/2000, the squad brought together around 10 players, all over the age of 20, who shared a love of soccer and the camaraderie that came with it.

The junior team was a lively mix of up to 15 players, boys and girls in their early to mid-teens. Among them were siblings who played side by side, making the team a true family affair.

During 1999/2000, the program’s goals included arranging more outside matches, making the most of the strong parent support network around the junior team, and celebrating the arrival of brand-new uniforms. None of this would have been possible without the dedication of volunteers. Their commitment ensured that every week, players had the chance to enjoy the game, connect with others and feel part of something bigger.

Image: A black and white photo of four carers in South Australia from 2001.

2001 - 2002: Building Community through Individualised Support

During 2001 and 2002, Life Without Barriers took important steps in shaping new ways of supporting people to live connected and meaningful lives in their communities.

In South Australia, Life Without Barriers established supported accommodation for young people within families and community settings, through a new program developed in partnership with the Department of Human Services. This program placed seven young people in safe and supportive homes, marking an important milestone in ensuring that young people could experience belonging and stability within community life.

At the same time, Life Without Barriers designed and delivered individualised services for people with disability who required extra support to live in, or continue living in, the community. The program, known as Individual Support Services, responded to a specialised need and, to date, has successfully supported 12 people living throughout the metropolitan area.

Each service was tailored to the individual, reflecting their goals and circumstances. As the program grew, there was growing interest in extending services further into case management and into regional country areas, reflecting the trust and value placed in the approach.

This period marked a time of steady growth and innovation for Life Without Barriers, with programs shaped by listening to people’s needs and building services that enabled participation, choice and connection in community life.

Image: Close up black and white photo of a woman, child and man's face.

2002 - 2003: Building Connections and Opportunities

In 2002 and 2003, Life Without Barriers strengthened its commitment to creating meaningful opportunities for children, young people and families.

The Family Contact Program became a cornerstone of this work, offering independent observations during visits with families. By 2003, the program was providing more than 1,500 hours of support each month across the Hunter, Central Coast, Sydney and Illawarra, with plans to expand further. At its heart, the program focused on individualised support and building social and educational skills.

That same year, respite camps were launched for children and young people in out-of-home care who may not have had access to regular recreation. Funded by local community groups and the Funding Allocation Committee, the camps quickly grew in demand, leading to a permanent facility on the Central Coast as the hub for programs across NSW.

These years also highlighted Life Without Barriers’ commitment to wraparound support, tailoring services to individual needs. This approach was especially evident in disability services, where regional teams showed creativity and flexibility to support people. Their willingness to think differently established Life Without Barriers as a trusted partner for government caseworkers.

2003 - 2004: Sydney Office Launches with New Initiatives

The Sydney Regional Office opened its doors in September 2003. During the first twelve months, the team of nine built strong working relationships with the three major Department of Community Services offices in the region. These connections helped establish clear communication and a cooperative approach across services.

One of the most significant steps was the introduction of the Aboriginal Service Options Program. An Aboriginal Service Options Coordinator joined the office to focus on identifying and recruiting Aboriginal carers. This role was designed to build carer networks that were both strong and culturally grounded.

Recruitment activity took place mainly in Sydney’s South West. Seventeen potential carers began assessment and training, with support provided at each stage to prepare them for the responsibilities of caring.

As a result of this program, Aboriginal children were placed with the first two Aboriginal carers recruited through the process. This marked a practical and important milestone for the Sydney office, showing clear progress in developing services that meet community needs.

Image: An Aboriginal man and woman standing side by side outdoors, smiling at the camera.

2005 - 2006: Mr C Returns Home

In August 2005, Mr C* was referred to Life Without Barriers through the Returning Home Project, after spending time in hospital for his mental health.

When we first met Mr C, he had just begun spending short periods at his own home on trial leave. With encouragement and support, he steadily built up his confidence and independence, while also reconnecting with the community around him.

A turning point came when Mr C enrolled in a five-week computer course at his local community centre. This sparked a new interest in Mr C, and after completing the course, he purchased his first computer. He continued his studies at home and reconnected with old friends, strengthening both his skills and his social networks.

Over the following months, Mr C moved into a larger and more suitable home, explored new pathways for learning, and took steps towards his personal goals. He successfully advocated for his licence to be reinstated and began driving lessons. He also prepared to enrol in a Certificate II in Horticulture.

By mid-2006, Mr C had been living independently in the community for 11 months. He was looking ahead with confidence, aiming to secure full-time work and one day own his own home.

Image: A photo of a man standing outside in the sun. Behind him is a string of balloons.

2005 - 2006: Stephen's Story

Stephen* was part of Life Without Barriers in Canberra for two years, beginning in 2005. When he first joined, his parents were unsure and anxious about what the future might hold. They were juggling the needs of two children and looking for the right support for Stephen to thrive.

In the early days, Stephen needed a high level of support and often required two staff members at a time to help him feel safe and understood. Those first months were not easy, but his team stood beside him with patience and determination.

Over time, things began to change. With the support of a committed team of carers, and the consistency of a regular routine, Stephen started to build new skills and discovered new opportunities. He was able to attend school each day and enjoyed activities such as sailing, swimming and bushwalking. At home, he found joy in visiting friends, jumping on his trampoline and helping to cook dinner.

Stephen also began making more choices about his everyday life. Looking back, his story showed just how much difference caring relationships, stability and teamwork could make.

Image: A young boy wearing a blue shirt stands on a beach, poking his tongue out at the camera.

2006 - 2007: Words of Strength

During 2006-2007, Sandi-Lee wrote the poem, 'On My Own', while living in Alice Springs. At the time, Sandi-Lee was part of our Supported Accommodation Program. The words capture a strong sense of determination, hope and independence, reminding us how powerful it can be when someone finds their own way forward with the support of others around them.

On My Own

My Life has begun.

I feel I can live again,

I never thought I would find my way again.

I found it on my own.

I changed my life on my own.

I will keep going on my own.

I will keep growing on my own.

Although I was never alone;

I did it all on my own.

By Sandi-Lee.

Image: Sandi-Lee's poem on a yellow background with a photo of them and their dog. Text : My Life has begun. I feel I can live again, I never thought I would find my way again. I found it on my own. I changed my life on my own. I will keep going on my own. I will keep growing on my own. Although I was never alone; I did it all on my own.

2008 - 2009: Paul’s Journey of Strength

In 2008 - 2009, we first heard Paul’s* story. Six years earlier, his life had changed dramatically after a motor vehicle accident. While the outlook for his recovery was considered very limited, Paul set out to prove otherwise.

Before joining Life Without Barriers, Paul’s days were largely taken up with appointments and essential tasks. He described feeling like he wasn’t doing things that brought him enjoyment or connection.

For eighteen months, Paul worked alongside Life Without Barriers staff with twenty-four-hour support. During that time, he showed remarkable determination to build his health, independence and quality of life.

Through his own commitment, Paul set a goal to improve his fitness. He went to the gym twice a week, took part in weekly hydrotherapy, and used a mini hand-cycle at home, pedalling the equivalent of a return trip to Sydney.

He also took on new challenges in daily life. Where once two people were needed to help him out of bed, he developed the strength and skills to sit up, attach a sling, and use a lifter on his own. He also began showering, shaving and washing his hair with only minimal support.

Social connection became another focus. After years of not going out at night, Paul started enjoying dinners with friends at the local tavern. These outings became a regular and valued part of his week.

Paul’s story showed how perseverance, effort and the right support could open new possibilities. With so many achievements behind him, he was already looking ahead to his next goal: walking.

Image: A man wearing a red jumper and jeans sitting in his wheelchair infront of a window, smiling at the camera.

A person's story is precious. We take storytelling seriously. Sometimes people are able to tell their own story, and we love that. We always make sure they give us their ok, and we will always honour the trust placed in us to bring their story forward.

*Names have been changed to protect the individuals in this story.