Jasmine, 46, lives independently and works three days a week on the production line at Marriott Support Services.
She describes herself as someone who likes to focus and get the job done, and when the opportunity came up to contribute to the co-design process of a Financial Wellbeing Program, she brought that same energy to the table.
“I just thought I’d like to try something different and learn about something different,” Jasmine says. “Why not give it a go?”
Jasmine played a key role in the co-design process, “adding her two cents”, to bring real-world insights into how people with disability experience and manage financial tasks like budgeting, bills and superannuation.
“Growing up, no one really talked to me about money. I wasn’t taught how to manage it,” Jasmine says. “It wasn’t until I was in my late teens, early 20s that my late grandmother showed me how to budget.”
Since then, Jasmine has been managing her finances every fortnight, and over time, tackling new challenges, like figuring out how to add beneficiaries to her super or thinking about writing a will. These conversations, while often complex, are critical.
“Certain family members have been asking me to do a will. And I'm just like, well, I need help,” she explains.
“That’s your money you’re leaving behind, so the financial side really matters. But it’s not always straightforward, especially when you’re trying to split things fairly between family members or understand your assets.”
From budgeting basics to recognising financial priorities, Jasmine sees real value in giving people the tools to manage their money, not just now, but as they get older and take on more responsibilities.
By contributing her lived experience to the program, Jasmine hopes it can help others build the confidence and knowledge they need to take control of their financial future.
“I think it’s essential,” she says. “There is a big percentage of participants here who would have no idea whatsoever how their money works. Their money might be in a trust and be managed for them, or they may never have been educated on these topics. But as they get older, they won’t always have the support of family members. They’ll need help or have the knowledge to help themselves.”
She says being part of the co-design process was important for helping staff understand the perspectives of those the program is designed for.
“It gave them a bit of perspective of where we’re coming from. Everyone’s experiences are different, and that’s important to understand,” she says.
For Jasmine, participating in the co-design was a way to keep learning, share her insights, and play a role in building a program that could have real impact.
“Finance as a topic is very complicated,” she says. “But if we can help people understand a bit more, even just the basics, it can make a big difference.”