Latest / Sarah Knows Support Workers / This Platform Is Changing Independence for People with Disabilities | The Me Plus More Story

Transcript

This Platform Is Changing Independence for People with Disabilities | The Me Plus More Story · Sarah Knows Support Workers

0:00
Hey, guys, it's Sarah from the Support Worker Store.
0:02
Today I've got Tara. Tara, can you?
0:04
It's good to have you on board. Yeah, And I can't wait to tell
0:08
everyone you're great. Can you tell us a story about
0:11
how me plus more began? Yeah, so me plus more, me plus
0:15
more began. The idea came, I reckon, six
0:18
years ago. I'm sitting running a service
0:21
disability service, same thing every day, day in, day out,
0:26
putting out fires. And I'm sending out my lovely
0:30
support workers. And things just weren't really
0:32
changing for the people we were supporting.
0:34
And I was like, what's going on here?
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What, what are we missing? There's a gap.
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There's something missing here. So everyone would say, oh, it's
0:41
the support workers, they're terrible.
0:42
They don't know what they're doing.
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And I'm like, well, no, I'm actually going to say it's me,
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I'm in charge here. Something is missing.
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And what I found was missing zero tools and resources for the
0:53
individual we're supporting, along with their supports to get
0:57
good things happening in the time that they're together.
1:00
And so I've always worked with people with intellectual
1:02
disability and that's where the idea of me plus more came from,
1:05
to create an accessible online platform for people with
1:09
intellectual disability to guide their supports to get some good
1:12
things happening in the time that they're together.
1:15
So that's where the idea came from because you know, I'm
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sitting in my office putting out fires.
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I didn't have the time to create the stuff, create that
1:23
information for both that the support staff and those that we
1:26
were providing support for. And then one day I just came
1:29
home and I said to my husband, this is it.
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I'm quitting and this is what I'm doing.
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I'm creating accessible resources for people getting a
1:37
platform happening. I'm not techie, never been
1:39
techie before in my life, but I am developing a platform, I'm
1:43
creating all the resources. Is it easy to understand English
1:47
and having it accessible? So that's, I think that's the
1:49
story, yeah. So was it a was it few things
1:53
that happened that got to that point?
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Or was it just when they like not stuff this, I'm out.
1:58
It was just constant. I think it was just the
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constant, and all I wanted to do was create those resources.
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I'm creative, I love doing that sort of stuff.
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So when I had the time, I'd be creating stuff in easy read
2:09
English, making sure it's accessible, training
2:12
individuals. And I think it was just the
2:14
constant instant that I just never had time to do it.
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And like I said, because you're, you know what?
2:19
I. Sound wild when I, when I talk
2:22
to people when it comes to creating resources for the
2:26
people that we've served that it can be done like if nothing, you
2:29
don't have to wait for somebody to do it for you.
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You can create it, but I, I believe like, you know, in your
2:34
situation, when you're managing a large team, it's so difficult
2:38
to get to the nitty gritty stuff because you are putting out
2:41
fires and the fires look completely different every day
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and you can never see it coming because.
2:45
Are you groups? Yeah, and you have to.
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We were you in Group support. So I ran a service that had
2:53
support coordination to 1 support day programs,
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accommodation, the holster, bag that point.
2:59
When you decided to, when you decided to have me plus more,
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what was the first problem you really wanted to solve?
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It was that gap that I mentioned.
3:09
It's the gap that individuals don't have access to resources
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accessibly I guess is the way to say it.
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You know there are easy read resources out there.
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Don't get everyone. There's loads of great stuff out
3:21
there, but I think you 20 clicks to to get to it.
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So, you know, 20 clicks, 20 minutes trying to figure out
3:28
what to do. How do you get to it?
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How do I find it That's not accessible.
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So yeah, you might have easy read stuff there, but it's not
3:36
accessible for that individual. So yeah, that's that's pretty
3:39
much what it was about is making it accessible.
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What was the first item that you created that was accessible?
3:45
So it was so well created, the platform that was number 1 was
3:49
creating the platform itself. And that was easy to do.
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Yeah, anyone can do. That right, I insisted that
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there's a button on there that translates the whole website
4:00
into easy read English. So you've got the website and
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then you could translate it if you wanted to.
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So that was the first thing was getting that up and running.
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And that was no easy feat, especially with the little bits
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and pieces that I insisted had to be on there.
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And then from that piece was creating accessible content all
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around independent living skills.
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So that was the beginning of it. Really.
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Anything you or I take for granted, I want to get on there.
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So our first topic started with things like how to keep a
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schedule, how to access the Internet safely, how to choose
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your supports, hygiene, how to have a pet, consensual
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harassment awareness, all those sort of real mixed bag of
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important things for the individual so they can guide
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their support. So their support workers aren't
4:48
coming in and saying let's do this.
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It's about the individual guiding them and having all
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those resources. So that was the first, I guess
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you could call it program as such.
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We like to call it a stream. So yeah.
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So when you created the first lot of resources, did you follow
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a guide? Like how did you what resources
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to put out when? Well, well, First off, because
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we're online. Online safety was #1 so how to
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be safe online? If I'm saying to people, you
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know, jump on Facebook and look at stuff, join our community
5:19
group on Facebook, but not giving those resources and how
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to stay safe on Facebook. So it was the initial, the
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number one topic is digital accessibility, how to stay safe
5:30
online. So talking a lot about safety
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online. Then also touching on Facebook
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and Instagram as they're the platforms that we use mostly at
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me plus more especially Facebook because we have a private
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community group just for our members so they can connect.
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So that was that was pretty much where it was decided.
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And then, and I've always had people with lived experience
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assist as well because I've got the experience to create.
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I don't have that lived experience.
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So having individuals with intellectual disability
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assisting and working for me, plus more assisting, creating
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the content, checking it over and then choosing topics, what's
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important. So you've now been running your
6:08
business for almost, I think, five years.
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Has a mission. Has the mission changed or grown
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since your first idea of? Yeah.
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So have to adapt, of course. So initially the idea was it's
6:23
just a platform just for people with intellectual disability.
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It's theirs. They sign up, they have their
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profile pictures, it's gamified, they get points, they get to the
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top of the leaderboard. So it was and it still is.
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It's for the individual. However, what we've found as
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time has gone on is service providers, support workers want
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to jump on and have access to those resources as well.
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So yes, I'm very much about that person, but you know, some, some
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programs that have groups are utilizing it.
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So, so now some a service provider can sign up, have
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access to the tools and resources and do it in the
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group. So there's loads of discussion,
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working through the resources, watching the videos, all that
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sort of stuff. So that has changed that now we
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are able to offer it, which is really, really exciting.
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And then also workshops. So getting out there and, and
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doing workshop face to face workshops and also online
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workshops. I can.
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See that you love them, the workshop.
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I can't tell you how much I love the workshop.
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You know, The funny thing is that in the past you and I have
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joked like, man, if we had worked in service together, we
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would have had a lot of fun. So if you have to come to
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Melbourne, you know where to find me.
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I'm reaching out. Don't you worry about that.
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I I just, it's, it's a skill set that I never, ever want to lose.
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And it sounds wild. Yeah.
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But how to communicate with a variety of different people and
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how to display a message out there that can be taken in and,
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you know, digested. Like I, yeah, I started my
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career in groups and it has this massive soft spot for me because
8:02
that's where I was able to get my skill sets from today.
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Facility workshops. That's my favorite thing,
8:07
getting out there, getting in a workshop, everyone talking,
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agreeing to. I disagree.
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It's it's fantastic. Debating like even like talking
8:17
about curly topics and watching somebody unpack a topic and
8:22
really think about what strategy and, and sometimes you're like,
8:25
oh, I didn't see that as one of your core values.
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Like, you know, like it really does open your eyes.
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It's going to you. Know help people tick in a way,
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yeah. So your program supports people
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to grow skills and independence. What does independent
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independence really mean to you and the people that we serve?
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So for us, for me, it's all about empowering a person.
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It's about empowerment to live confidently.
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I'm saying independently that word and giving them the
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resources to do so. So it's all about empowerment so
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that individual can live confidently, connect with their
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peers and, you know, feel supported and not dependent on
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others. I think is is the big one.
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But when I hear the word independent, I have to check on
9:16
myself consistently because the word independent looks so
9:20
different to each person that we serve.
9:22
Yes, because they're independent might be something that could be
9:26
what we would consider so small, but it's actually quite a big
9:29
achievement for them. And I hope you hear.
9:31
That I do, I constantly hear, you know, even sometimes just, I
9:35
don't know, being able to schedule an appointment, that's
9:38
independence to someone. And, and it's fantastic.
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And the excitement there was the, one of our members wrote
9:44
posted in our private community group about how she made an
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appointment and she had this whole excitement.
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She was, she was so proud and felt so empowered.
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So that's independence for her. She's never been able to to make
9:58
an appointment. It's wild because we take that
10:01
for granted. But I think the coolest thing
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about your program is you actually get to see it in real
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time. Yeah.
10:06
And then be a part of that independence, wherever possible.
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Should be celebrated. Yes.
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Because that is a milestone. Yeah.
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And it's. Seldomly because it is real time
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and everyone shares their wins and that's what it's about is
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sharing your wins with a group of people which is really
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lovely. And I heard leaderboard in
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there. I think we got cut up for it,
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yeah. Was there a moment as you're,
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you know, doing the platform, a participant or a family confirm?
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Yes, this is exactly what I needed to do and this is working
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for me. Like have you got a like a
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story? I love hearing them because I'm
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a romantic at heart and anytime that I could hear somebody that
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we serve, we often have people that just go for a Tara.
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People just find us online, which I absolutely love.
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There's one woman in particular she has her parents are
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absolutely fantastic families, fantastic.
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But she hangs out with them all the time.
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That's it. And should they found us online
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and learning all these independent living skills has
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actually opened her mind of what's possible for her.
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In her mind, she's gonna be living with her parents forever,
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holidaying with her parents and like I said, lovely people,
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fantastic. But she never really thought
11:17
about what was possible. She did our independent living
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skills, then moved on to our women in the workplace, which is
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all about empowering women in workforce participation.
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And she does all our workshops and it's just just as a whole.
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And to see her come out and the way she's changed and how how
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confident she is, which is really exciting.
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And I love it when we've just found online by mum, Mum who's
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been Googling away. It's fail.
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That's a good story. I like that.
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That's yeah. Like again, about empowerment
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and independence, it's it's not huge, but for her it's huge.
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Just having that thought change is so big for her because she
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just never thought. Penny dropped.
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Exactly. Yeah, yeah.
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You know what I love of like about your story, Tara, is that
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before you got to your business, you're a support worker at heart
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and we have a lot of support workers that listen to the
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podcast. Hi guys, What do you think makes
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a really fan flip fantastic support worker from your
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perspectives? Of course, I'm a bit biased.
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I'm all about having access to easy read resources and
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resources and bits and little bits and bobs and fun things
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that you can do together to get to that goal.
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That's what it's really about. I mean, may possible was built
12:32
on the foundation and everyone has a right to reach their goals
12:35
and have the appropriate tools to do so.
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So I'm all about the tools and having that those tools.
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And I just think as a support worker, if I had all these
12:44
resources at hand, I think it would have been fantastic
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because it's not about sitting at home learning.
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Sometimes you want to go out to the cafe, you want to go
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wherever you want to go, sit in the park or the library, go to
12:54
the beach, whatever it is. I mean, having those resources
12:59
accessible, you can learn about how to keep a schedule while
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you're lying on the beach. It's fantastic.
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But if you don't have those resources on hand, then you
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can't really do that, yeah. So for support workers to access
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the platform, is there a particular way that they could
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get into the platform? Like is it an individual?
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Is it by provider? If I was an independent, would I
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be able to access your platform to learn more?
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Yeah, definitely. Yeah, Yeah.
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So I'm very easy to access as well.
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We've got the chat on the website, the phone, e-mail,
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every way you can imagine, text, you can get a hold of us e-mail.
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I said e-mail. I think already it's just about
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getting in touch. And you know what, I again, at
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heart, I love it when the individual signs up.
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I love it when it's theirs, when it's their profile.
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And what a great way for a support work and an individual
13:48
to work together and having that individual own it and that it's
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not brought in. And let's do this, you know, I
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think it's a really nice thing when the individual owns it.
13:56
The individual signs up with that support is lovely.
14:00
But then on the flip side, we've also got access for support
14:03
workers as well that's more appropriate for the way they're
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working. So definitely have a
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conversation. I love that your team delivers
14:10
programs all across Australia. Because you're online, then our
14:14
skills is how there's community. Which program is the closest to
14:19
your heart? And why?
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Oh, that's a really tough one. Well, independent living skills
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was my baby just start with. That's what we started with.
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But then we moved over to employment skills as well.
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And now we just launched a program, a stream on digital
14:35
safety, which I think digital safety right now is the one
14:39
that's closest to my heart because I'm hearing so much
14:41
about the scams and all that sort of stuff.
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So right now that's the one that I'm absolutely loving and I'm
14:50
loving giving the workshops. The other one that doing a lot
14:55
of the moment is self advocacy and supportive decision making.
14:58
Those ones are really close to my heart as well.
15:00
Loving those. I've got a confession, I am
15:03
knees deep into watching your content about being online and
15:07
safety online because I, like you, have people in the past
15:12
that have been scammed and it seems to be very targeted
15:16
towards certain individuals. So like wherever possible, you
15:20
do have this opportunity which I love about your platform some
15:23
bloody. Yeah, yeah.
15:25
Especially at the moment for our digital safety, it is covered
15:28
through a Commonwealth grant, which is really exciting.
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And so that one is free for individuals.
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So we launched that a few weeks ago.
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And so that one, yeah, all about scams, how to stay safe online,
15:37
and social media safety. I watched it, thank you.
15:42
It's a geek running running a disability business is no joke.
15:49
What has been the biggest challenge you have found as a
15:53
founder? My biggest challenge is probably
15:56
that getting out there salesy, getting it all out part, you
16:00
know, just telling the world. That I get it, yeah.
16:04
You know, and we've been really lucky at me.
16:06
Plus more. We've had some Commonwealth
16:08
grant, so we've been able to offer programs free.
16:12
And I think the hardest part is getting it out.
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We're not asking for anything, we're just offering all the
16:18
content. So I'm finding, you know, just
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getting it out there is difficult.
16:23
It's really difficult to get the message across and all these
16:26
things that we've spoken about tonight, getting that across is
16:29
hard so. It's a different type of
16:33
thinking. It is, it is a different world
16:35
because because we're both from service and we've got, you know,
16:37
meal plan, medical plan. Have I got a schedule that is
16:41
going to work? Have I got things in play?
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And then you've got to turn up online and sell.
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It's difficult and it's not always an easy sell because
16:51
you're explaining for me, I'm consistently explaining my
16:54
business and what I do. And no, I'm not an online scam.
16:57
Yes. I'm with you.
16:59
I'm with you on. Free.
17:04
Getting out as a whole is a whole new beast.
17:07
You know when you it's, it's a new.
17:09
When you're when you've started A and you're a small business,
17:13
it's all new. And you're competing with bigger
17:14
ones too. And what they do is completely
17:17
different. Like I get that we all have the
17:18
spot, but the hustle is real. Yeah, I often say it's time to
17:23
hustle this month. Or just something.
17:25
There's always something going. On don't have to hustle anymore.
17:29
I've hustled enough, the non-stop hustle, that's small
17:32
business and that's small business and that's the roller
17:34
coaster. It's up and down and it's the
17:37
way it is. But I think that's been the
17:40
biggest challenge because it's a new skill to learn.
17:43
So 100. Percent.
17:44
But there's also a flip side to this because there has been fun
17:48
for you and most businesses, there's that big holy crap, we
17:52
just did that moment. Can you give me a time where you
17:56
got ha ha, holy crap, I've done it.
17:59
I have made it now. Was oh gosh, Shannon must be
18:03
two, two, 2 1/2 years ago now we received a grant from the Office
18:08
for Women. So that was like, yes, that was
18:11
that was the time where it was like, you know, what the
18:13
Commonwealth government is thinking about women with
18:16
intellectual disability. So we received funding to create
18:20
a stream of learning just for women with intellectual
18:22
disability all around workforce participation, women's safety
18:25
and women's economic security. And again, I'll say it again,
18:29
just for women with intellectual disability.
18:31
And that's what it was. And that's that was the yes
18:33
moment, you know, because that. Did you have to apply for that
18:37
or was that what came natural? Right now that's an application
18:41
and a half, definitely so. You have a really strong
18:45
education background. How has the your educational
18:49
background help you shape and deliver programs for the people
18:52
that we serve? Well, when we talk about
18:54
educational background, got a master's in international public
18:56
health. So public health is probably the
18:59
core of everything that we're doing as well.
19:03
There's just so much that that's not accessible for individuals.
19:09
And I think a lot about women and health and all of the that
19:15
information that is really difficult to understand as a
19:18
woman. And then imagine a woman with an
19:21
intellectual disability where the information isn't accessible
19:24
for her. So that, you know, that's what
19:26
drives a lot of the content is knowing a lot around public
19:31
health. And yeah, that's where the
19:33
education part comes in, very different.
19:36
You need to, you know, creating easy read.
19:39
And it's a whole different, different world.
19:41
And I really had to change my mindset on that one, so.
19:44
Your company supports people with disabilities to use clear,
19:48
easy language. How easy is Easy English and why
19:52
is it so important that it's accessible?
19:54
So Easy Read is all about accessibility.
19:57
Really. It's all about giving
19:59
opportunity to people to be able to read any large document like
20:03
you or us, you, you or I can read.
20:05
It's about having those short sentences with the images that
20:08
match so things make sense and just to make it all kind of come
20:12
together in a nice little package.
20:14
I guess, you know, sometimes if there's big reports out there,
20:17
sometimes I have a look at the easy read and skim through that
20:20
and that's, you know, you can get some fantastic information.
20:22
And like I mentioned, that stuff is out there.
20:25
It's just a matter of finding it.
20:26
That takes me 20 minutes to find.
20:27
So then I think about people who aren't tech savvy as such and
20:31
being able to find that information is is difficult.
20:34
So accessibility, easy read, I think it all should come come
20:37
together and you know, to make it accessible for the
20:41
individual. Do you know what's wild?
20:43
So I ran a newsletter for support workers for and one of
20:48
the newsletter parts of support worker newsletter is that I
20:51
actually put it all in easy English.
20:53
Love it and the reason why is because our capacity to pay
20:58
attention and take information and use that information for the
21:02
greater good sometimes gets lost.
21:04
I will admit that sometimes I put my stuff into easy English
21:09
so I can understand it because a lot of reports, especially when
21:14
it comes to medical. Yeah, Reports, yeah.
21:19
It's really hard. Like I I'm I'm no scholar, but
21:23
far out Brussels sprout. This is so difficult.
21:27
Something that could be so simply said.
21:29
I'm some fresh water. So a lot of founders, we do
21:33
carry our work with us because we take it quite personally.
21:36
What part of your personal story shows up in your business the
21:39
most? That's a good question.
21:41
I think it's it's my belief system that independent
21:45
independence isn't just a goal. It's, it's a right and everyone
21:48
should have the opportunity to be confident, feel connected and
21:51
have a say in their life. I think that's my belief system.
21:54
I don't treat anyone with a disability any different than I
21:58
would treat a person without a disability.
21:59
And I, and I think that's just the way it should be.
22:02
It's the individual's right to, for me, I always bang on about
22:05
having accessible resources. So for me, my true belief is
22:09
that everyone is entitled to have access to resources that
22:13
will help them be better in their life or increase their
22:19
their workforce participation or even training.
22:22
I mean, a little story on that. I've got a lovely lady who works
22:25
at a massive company in Sydney and she's been there for 20
22:29
years. She has an intellectual
22:30
disability. She's been there for 20 years,
22:31
absolutely loves her job. She's never had training.
22:34
Her boss found us two years ago and said to me that she's never
22:41
had any training because HR said she doesn't need training.
22:45
Everybody's moving up around her, everyone's getting trained,
22:47
everyone's moving up, but she's not moving.
22:50
Not once had she had training 20 years.
22:53
And he, he's a fantastic boss. He, he found us to find her
22:57
training. So what we offer is online
23:00
training in the workplace. You or I get told jump online
23:03
and do this training that's not accessible for someone with an
23:06
intellectual disability. They don't have that opportunity
23:09
because it may not be accessible for them.
23:12
You know what, what she has is access to workplace training,
23:17
which is awesome. And I'll bang on about how
23:20
amazing he is as a boss. She does our online workshops as
23:24
well. So you know, she's currently
23:26
doing digital safety, which is fantastic.
23:29
So, and it's, it's just about having, having that
23:32
accessibility. So that like I said, it's just
23:34
built into how how I feel. He looked for the support char
23:39
didn't he looked, he not support, sorry, training.
23:42
He looked for workplace training.
23:44
So it comes back down to that person.
23:45
So I assume he has the same belief system as me because he
23:48
went out of his way to find training.
23:50
You said something interesting before about your core beliefs
23:54
about independence should be it is a human right is there
23:58
anything for sites your your time at university was this a
24:03
core belief that you've had as a child moving to now like had
24:06
because this core belief isn't something that just.
24:10
No, it's always been in me. Yeah, I think it's just always
24:13
been in me. I mean, I came out of uni and I,
24:16
I've always worked with people with intellectual disability.
24:19
That's just, I guess been my calling.
24:21
Never really moved away from that because I just, that's just
24:25
where where I guess my heart lives.
24:26
So when the idea of me plus more came up, that was it for me.
24:30
Like that was not, it was not going to fail, was dead set.
24:34
It was not going to fail. And I remember getting the worst
24:37
advice I'd ever gotten from someone when I told them that I
24:41
was taking my side hustle and going all in and and that was
24:44
it. And she said to me, well, if it
24:46
fails and then you just give up. If it doesn't do well, just give
24:48
up. Doesn't matter.
24:49
Just go get a proper job. And I was like, wow, that, that.
24:52
So was that. I think drove me that this is
24:56
going to work and five years down the track here I am that
25:00
it's it's still going strong. Do you feel like it's gasoline
25:04
to fire me? Like I I'll sounds terrible, but
25:07
if you insult me I feel like right, you're holding the
25:10
gasoline I'm about to burn further.
25:12
Can still picture her face, the way she said it, the tone,
25:16
everything, the whole right, you know, And in my mind, if someone
25:21
came to me with an idea whether I thought it was fabulous or
25:24
not, I'm not, I'm not the one to judge.
25:27
I would be supportive, you know. So I think yes, probably the
25:32
worst advice I ever got in my life was probably the best
25:35
conversation. I'm glad you never took her
25:39
advice. Yep, I'm so glad you didn't take
25:42
that advice. What?
25:44
All right, so with your company and how you run, a lot of people
25:48
would look at future and think, God, she's an advocate.
25:52
Do you ever get that sense that you're advocating?
25:54
Or is it just something that you're like, Oh, well, no,
25:56
that's what we should all naturally do?
25:57
I think it's natural, yeah. It's just the way life is.
26:02
I. Think Is there anything in the
26:04
NDIS space that you wish more providers would do?
26:08
I'm always going to go back to accessibility.
26:11
I'm always back to having those accessible resources.
26:15
They're, they're there whether you use it from me plus more or
26:18
not. Just get them happening.
26:20
And like I said, they're, they're out there.
26:21
There's some great stuff out there.
26:23
There's you just have to look for it.
26:25
Obviously we've created a place where you don't have to look for
26:27
it. It's all there.
26:28
But having those accessible resources for me is a no
26:32
brainer. And it's it's a no brainer for
26:34
both the individuals you're supporting and the support
26:36
staff. It's really hard to teach people
26:39
things when you don't have any little pointers to follow. 1
26:42
main thing in the workbooks that we created is having Cheat
26:46
Sheets and info pages. And I often say these are great
26:50
pointers. So we have just an example,
26:52
we've got a topic on consent. Consent is a tough topic to talk
26:56
about and everyone needs to be talking about it.
26:58
It needs to be top, it needs to be spoken about often.
27:02
But what do you say when you've never really, when you don't
27:05
know what to say, It's it's a hard topic to talk about.
27:08
So we have info pages, Cheat Sheets and every point will
27:12
assist a support person to chat about the topic.
27:15
And you know, it's giving those little pointers.
27:17
So for me, like I'd say it's a no brainer to have those
27:20
resources for both. It's not just for the person,
27:23
it's not just for the supports, it's for them to work together.
27:25
Do you know the, I remember so back, many, many moons are
27:29
going, Tara, I was supporting a group of people to talk about
27:34
consent. And one of the things that I got
27:36
from the lady presenting to the group about consent was that the
27:42
way that we talk about it, it's OK to talk about it like adults,
27:46
that we don't need to bring the content down any further because
27:50
if we're doing that, we're at risk of not giving the full
27:53
information to somebody. So our videos, our workbooks,
27:56
they have the words, they have everything that you or I would
27:59
talk about with consent, yeah. Yeah, and it's interesting when
28:03
you're in a group and hearing what consent looks like for
28:07
different people and the levels and where they have been
28:10
supported to be educated to a certain point.
28:13
Yeah. And look, we we start, we start
28:16
with the consent of borrowing a pen and then it goes all the way
28:19
to sexual consent. So you go from, you know, the
28:22
beginning to the end. So and then you talk about
28:25
everything in the middle, even body parts.
28:28
I remember sitting there going. What do you mean you don't know
28:30
about a certain body part like? Yeah, no, we say all the body
28:34
parts. It shouldn't be frowned upon to
28:39
learn this stuff. It should be something that's
28:41
really acceptable for all, because if we don't know your
28:43
body parts, how can you explain to something when something
28:46
hurts or something doesn't feel right?
28:48
Something's wrong. Yeah, exactly.
28:50
If you could give any advice to any new support workers entering
28:53
this sector tomorrow, what would you say when it comes to
28:58
entering the NDIS sector? It's having those resources and
29:01
having, having the tools to work with whoever it is you're
29:05
working with and going in a bit prepared with those tools and
29:08
resources and whether you're bringing them in or offering
29:10
them as a side, whatever it is, it's, it's knowing that those
29:14
resources exist for me, like I mentioned, if I had them when I
29:18
was a support worker, I was, oh gosh, how old was I, 1990?
29:22
We don't talk about age here, Tara.
29:24
Okay, yeah, but that's just when I start.
29:26
I'm not telling you the age now when I was 19, I believe when
29:30
when I got my first support worker role and I tell you I had
29:34
resources and tools and wasn't just said off you go.
29:39
My little piece of paper that had the profile of the
29:42
individual could have, you know, in that instance.
29:45
There's so much more I could have done in those initial
29:47
years. You know, I learned, learned,
29:49
learned along the way. But you know, just having them
29:51
at the beginning as a new support worker would be
29:54
fantastic 'cause it gives you those ideas.
29:57
So when I think about those days that would have been fantastic
30:00
for me to have as a support worker, I think would have been
30:03
really benefiting. So as a support worker,
30:06
nothing's stopping you to create a toolbox for activities,
30:09
whether you're independent agency provider.
30:12
But then, you know, you might not think about it.
30:15
It's knowing that those tools are out there.
30:17
So you can pull those tools from lots of different places and
30:20
have that toolbox you're talking about.
30:22
Definitely. But it's, it's, I don't know if
30:24
it's something that's spoken about, to be honest.
30:27
And it should be, I think that's.
30:29
Actually, a really cool thing is what great advice if you want
30:33
to, you know, when you're starting out as a support worker
30:35
to find those resources and spend the time.
30:38
I have no idea that the resources online existed when I
30:42
first started. Whether they did or didn't when
30:44
I was 19, I don't know. Right now, they exist.
30:48
And they're accessible to enter to your website and pull them
30:51
out and even your online content like I fangirl your Instagram
30:55
really hard. I I don't.
30:57
Share stuff, I'm very appreciative.
30:59
I do because it's good, you know, when content's really good
31:02
and you're like, well, I can't create that.
31:04
I'm just going to share that because I haven't got the time
31:06
or the resources right now to create so.
31:08
We stand around the little people together, the little bits
31:11
involved, the important stuff that people need to be aware of.
31:15
We, we post that and that's, that's the free stuff.
31:17
I mean, again, we've got our digital safety program that is
31:22
funded through a Commonwealth grants.
31:23
We're totally free. And that's three topics worth of
31:27
information. And there it is on a silver
31:30
platter. I called it a digital platter.
31:32
I liked that giving to you on a digital.
31:34
Platter and you can get this on. It can be watched on your phone,
31:38
on TV, on a laptop. Yeah, mainly a bigger screen,
31:42
not so great on a small screen. So I'd skip a phone, but most
31:45
definitely laptop, tablet computer or I said computer, TV,
31:51
those sort of devices, definitely.
31:53
So it's nothing really stopping anyone that runs a group
31:56
program, a seal program to touch base and have an activity for
32:00
the day or night about certain topics because it's free.
32:03
Yeah, yeah. Well, the digital safety digital
32:06
platter. Hand it over.
32:08
You know, you really created, you really created products that
32:12
I wish I had and that were accessible because I'm back in
32:16
my high days, you know, with Google, you'd only get so much
32:19
and then you're chopping and changing and putting it on a
32:21
Word document. I remember.
32:23
That and you're trying to deliver that's it's awesome that
32:27
you have been able to create something like this are you just
32:30
naturally creative I. Think so, yeah.
32:33
Yeah, I do like getting out my paints and doing a bit of a
32:35
paint. So yeah, I think so.
32:37
I don't mind getting out my Canva.
32:40
Yes, I do love camera as well, I must say I do, but I do love the
32:44
physical paint as well. Now every now and again, Tara, I
32:48
have families and participants that listen and watch the
32:51
podcast. What do you want them to know
32:54
about the work that you do at me plus more does so we're.
32:59
Like, like we've spoken about, it's kind of changed a little
33:02
bit and there's extras and the main thing is our online
33:05
platform and that it's accessible for individuals, for
33:07
the individual themselves. What I absolutely love is that a
33:10
lot of our members access it on their own.
33:13
They do it all on their own and they contact me for tech support
33:16
or contact me if they don't know what's going on.
33:18
So it's it's, it's gamified. The best part.
33:21
So you've got pop ups, you've got badges, you've got confetti
33:24
coming down, you've got the monthly leaderboard, monthly
33:28
challenges, you do the challenges to get on the
33:30
leaderboard. So it's interactive and it's a
33:32
way that you know, it's healthy competition that's good as well.
33:36
And it's a way to make learning these skills enjoyable and
33:40
interactive with all the videos and then plus the hard copy of
33:44
all the workbooks. And again, one of my favorite
33:46
past is the is the workshops. So getting into services and
33:50
doing workshops, I'm heading home to the Blue Mountains next
33:54
week. Actually, I'm to do a workshop
33:56
on self advocacy with Down syndrome NSW.
33:59
So that's super exciting, you know, and I'm also in Sydney
34:01
going into a supported employment and doing a workshop
34:06
there. So, you know, it's getting into
34:08
those services and not many people know that we do that as
34:10
well, that we do organize workshops, which is really so
34:15
you. Can book a workshop online for
34:17
you, but also what we haven't mentioned on your platform and
34:20
I'm in the many moons ago when you and I first started dancing,
34:23
you can access the platform straight away without a payment
34:28
of 14 days because I remember you and I talking about how.
34:33
Yes, yes. So it's a free trial.
34:36
So there's a free 5 day free trial, five days, not 14, but
34:39
close a 5 day free trial. We do not ask for credit card
34:43
details. We don't ask for anything
34:45
because it's not about locking anyone in obviously it's purely
34:49
a free trial. So you have you get instant
34:51
access, you can download the workbook, you can watch the
34:55
first video of digital accessibility.
34:57
So learning how to stay safe online, you do a taste tester,
35:00
you see, you see all the gamification, the badges, you'll
35:03
get a badge pop up straight away.
35:05
So you'll see all that sort of stuff as well.
35:07
So yeah. And that, and like I said, it's
35:09
all, it's all about allowing someone to to have a look with
35:12
instant access. So then they can make an
35:14
informed decision. So I could say sign up to
35:17
someone and it doesn't mean that it's for them.
35:18
It's OK. So they can, yeah, give it a
35:21
try. So.
35:21
The cool thing is that you can use your NDIS plan or you don't
35:25
have to use your NDIS plan to be on this platform.
35:29
You can do both and you, you can.
35:31
You don't have to not use it because there's not enough in
35:35
your NDIS plan. You can use it like everybody
35:37
else as it is a form of training.
35:39
Yeah, and we have kept it as affordable as we can.
35:43
And you can even make decisions. You can access it all online and
35:45
that's it. Or you can have the workbook
35:48
sent out in the post so you can decide how you would like to
35:51
utilize content SO. You have got a lot going on in
35:55
the you've had a lot happen in the last five years.
35:58
If your looking towards the future for me plus more, what
36:02
does the future hold for you guys?
36:04
Where do you see yourself in the next 5 to 10 years?
36:06
Oh gosh, that's a big question. I have so many ideas rolling
36:10
around in my head which I won't share because then too many
36:12
people will know my ideas. I've got a full list of
36:17
different, you know, different streams of learning for an
36:20
ideas, different aspects of people's lives that they might
36:23
want to work towards. And then they can really pick
36:25
and choose where they want to go.
36:27
So for example, we've got the stream on independent living
36:29
skills, we've got one on employment skills, we've got one
36:31
on digital accessibility. You know, there's, there's so
36:33
much more out there that could be more specific.
36:36
It could be health, it could be living your physical, just
36:39
living independently skills and there's so much.
36:42
So there's that, and then a whole range of ideas and
36:45
workshops and all those bits and pieces.
36:47
You know I'm nosy, right? Yes.
36:49
Are you going to enter some more stuff into the seal set space?
36:54
That seems to be the hot topic at the moment.
36:55
So much for me, plus more. We're kind of everywhere, not
36:58
specific on certain spaces. I like to keep very open, to be
37:02
honest. You know, I absolutely love me
37:04
plus more in an employment setting because like I like I
37:08
mentioned before, your eye gets training, jump online.
37:11
Just do your training, full stop.
37:12
Just go and do it. I love that supported employees
37:16
can have that opportunity, that they can just jump online and do
37:19
their trading. That is my most favorite.
37:21
So I'm a bit biased with that one, yeah.
37:24
But you also have to do a lot of networking.
37:26
Like it's not something that comes like easy, like we were
37:30
just talking before, but you have to network with a lot of
37:33
different providers. If a provider is watching, this
37:36
is the easiest way to slide into a LinkedIn e-mail or a phone
37:40
call. What's the best way to get to?
37:43
Online based, any form of online communication, Instagram,
37:48
Instagram DMS, Facebook DMS, LinkedIn DMS again the emails.
37:53
I love a phone call to be honest.
37:54
The other day I was emailing people.
37:56
Well I was going to e-mail. I went you know what I can't be
37:58
bothered I'm just going to call. So I do love.
38:00
Thank you. It's.
38:02
Sometimes it's easier just to call.
38:04
Yeah, you know, up there. And I was like, what the hell,
38:06
you know, to articulate what I wanted to say.
38:07
And I was like, no, I can just say it easier if I just call.
38:10
And I think I called 10 people just because I couldn't be
38:13
bothered with the e-mail. So yeah, anyway, there's the
38:16
chat box on the website as well. There's.
38:18
Yeah, Anyway to get in touch so. I Oh my God, I haven't even
38:22
asked you this. How many people have you
38:25
employed? Like, is it just you?
38:27
Is there another person in the wings?
38:29
It's a bit different than me plus more because we don't
38:31
provide that that one-on-one support.
38:33
We're team of graphic got a graphic design content creator,
38:37
web development, that sort of stuff.
38:40
So it's not it's, it's a bit different to your usual provider
38:45
with support staff and all these different roles.
38:48
We're more around the creative side of it, getting the content
38:52
done. And like I mentioned, we have a
38:53
graphic designer that does the content.
38:55
We've also got people with lived experience that work for us to
38:59
assist in developing the content to make sure it actually
39:02
actually is easy read. So yeah, it's quite a big spag
39:05
of a team. And it's actually why are you
39:07
bringing up a lot of debates with me tonight.
39:11
You actually in this sector, you don't have to have a big team to
39:15
prove that you can deliver. You can have a lean but main one
39:19
that is able to deliver. Yeah, yeah.
39:23
You found that? Definitely.
39:24
That's, that's what I love as well.
39:25
Like I've mentioned earlier, small business, small business
39:28
and that's where I want to stay. It's a small business.
39:31
It's, you know, the team that I've we've got is fantastic and
39:35
yeah, I just love how it how it all works.
39:36
At the moment, like every small business, Tara, we have some
39:40
challenging days. What's your why and what keeps
39:45
bringing you back to your small business?
39:47
If you could give some, I don't know, some words of advice of
39:50
people out there listening to the podcast tonight, or today I
39:53
should say. I guess my why just goes back to
39:55
my beliefs back to that. I really, my why is that.
39:59
I really believe that independence is a right for the
40:02
people we're supporting. And so that's really my why
40:05
always go back, go back to that. And I think when you've got
40:08
something that you really believe in, then that's going to
40:11
work and you put the effort in and it's it's a hard slog.
40:16
It's a lot of effort. I won't say it's and you know.
40:19
Nothing good comes easy. No, no.
40:21
So I guess, yeah. So my advice is, you know, you
40:24
find something that you really believe in.
40:25
You. Anything tonight that I haven't
40:28
shared about your business and where is it's going that you'd
40:30
love to tell the audience? I guess what I'm really, really
40:35
looking to get out and tell everyone about is our digital
40:37
safety program. I know I've mentioned it, but
40:40
I'm so excited to get it out because it is free, it's
40:42
accessible, it's there for you. And yes, just about getting,
40:46
getting that. But I think you've covered
40:48
everything to be honest. I think I've told you
40:49
everything, the insurance and outs, what we're doing.
40:52
So I'll just do my chin plug at the end.
40:54
Have a well funded program. You made the links, sorry.
40:58
Would you be able to give me the links to everything so then when
41:01
I upload this, everyone at the moment can be able to, once they
41:04
listen to this, be able to see what and can just link, press
41:08
the link and hyperlink right into it?
41:10
Definitely, and if you're interested in the digital safety
41:13
stream, we've got an expression of interest.
41:15
You pop your name on there. I'll get in touch with a few
41:17
within a few days, usually within a day because I love
41:20
checking that list. So to be honest, I'm quite quick
41:22
with that one. Well, thank you so much for
41:25
joining me tonight. It's such a pleasure to have
41:27
you. You have been in my pipeline, on
41:29
my radar for some time. Tara, to be honest with you,
41:33
because I really love what you do and I love how authentic it
41:36
is and how it's down pat, how independence is so important,
41:40
important for the people that we serve, but also the opportunity
41:43
to learn at a pace that is respectable for that person.
41:46
Thank you. Thanks for having me.
41:49
Keep up the good work. Keep up the good work.
41:51
Thank you so much, Tara.