At Waverley Social Enterprises, we believe supported employment can be so much more than just a job. It can be a place where people with disability feel truly welcomed, valued, and inspired to grow. That’s why we’ve embarked on the Waverley Design Project, an ambitious journey to reimagine the entire supported employment experience from the ground up.
This project is about creating the best possible environment for our supported employees to join us, become part of the team, develop their skills, and feel a deep sense of belonging. We want joy, purpose, and growth to be at the heart of every workday.
Since kicking off earlier this year, the Waverley Design Project has brought together voices from across our community. Our supported employees, their families and carers, and our staff have all been contributing their stories, feedback, and ideas. The energy and enthusiasm have been incredible.
To guide us, we’ve partnered with Catalina Bonavia from WeShift, an organisation that helps social impact businesses design better experiences for the communities they serve. Catalina has been facilitating interviews and workshops, making sure every perspective is heard. The conversations have been rich with ideas; from ways to make our onboarding process more welcoming, to creative approaches for learning and skill development.
Right now, Catalina is distilling all the feedback into clear recommendations for our leadership team. These insights will shape the next phase of the project as we start turning ideas into action.
This is more than just a workplace improvement plan. It’s a commitment to creating an environment where our supported employees can thrive in their work, in their community and as individuals. Together, we’re building something that could set a new standard for supported employment.
The future we’re imagining is bright. And we’re just getting started.
If you are someone with a disability interested in Supported Employment, we’d love to give you a tour of our workplace!
