The latest Evolve Community of Practice event has reinforced just how powerful collaboration can be in transforming Australian Disability Enterprises (ADEs) to better support people with disability into more meaningful careers while maintaining choice and control over their individual employment pathways.
The Evolve Program, led by White Box Enterprises, brings together three ADEs – genU, Waverley Social Enterprises and Intelife . The aim is two-fold: to help shift these organisations toward sustainable, jobs-focused social enterprise models, while also documenting the process to create a roadmap others can use to fast-track their own change.
At the heart of this work is a shared priority – to create more inclusive workplaces, increase wages and improve career pathways of supported employees with disability. All of this contributes to the broader national push toward open employment pathways, giving people with disability have more choice and autonomy in their own careers.
The Evolve Community of Practice events have become a strong engine for learning for the three organisations, and White Box. Leaders have opened their doors, shared what works and what doesn’t, and invested real time in helping each another progress.
“It's of immense benefit as we get to know each other and the relationships deepen. The Community of Practice events really go a long way to solidify those relationships,” Nick Williamson, CEO of Waverley Social Enterprises, said.
That collaborative spirit was on full display at the most recent Community of Practice event, held in late November. White Box brought participants together across Byron Bay, Sydney, and Alstonville to learn more about effective employment models and hear directly from peers who have already made significant shifts toward more inclusive workplaces.
The group toured Beacon Laundry in Bangalow; Access Industries’ TGA certified biomedical packaging facility; Jigsaw Australia in Sydney, where they stepped inside training and work experience sessions; and Summerland Farm, a large-scale example of an integrated workplace with meaningful development and employment pathways for employees. These site visits gave the organisations new perspectives on other models and the opportunity to more deeply understand a range of alternative practices.
“It’s been great to reconnect with colleagues facing the same challenges as us and share learnings, deepen our connection and help each other moving forward. The ability to understand and normalise practices across the organisations provides welcomed reassurance with so much else changing." Nick said.
Sessions explored career development for supported employees, pathways into open employment, business strategies, social procurement and commercial partnerships, and insights from the Australian Human Rights Commission's IncludeAbility project.
Morag Roseby also shared how intentional community and culture building at Beacon Laundry has strengthened the business and created a better experience for staff.
The Evolve organisations brought their own progress to the group as well, including updates such as genU’s information session on its Steps to Employment program. Dedicated reflection sessions gave each organisation space to talk through what they have learned, what they are testing, and how the Evolve program advisory and supports, alongside the Community of Practice connection, is shaping their work.
“We all know we’re working on a tough problem and although we don’t have all the answers right now it’s amazing to see how others are doing things, and to chat through best practice has been a great way to talk about solutions too,” Alex Wall, genU, said.
To continue to follow the progress of the Evolve Program and the three participating organisations, follow White Box on LinkedIn and subscribe to our newsletter.
