Intelife is thrilled to have seven nominations in this years WA NDS Disability Support Awards. Celebrating individuals, teams and organisations going above and beyond to support people with disability, through excellence in support work, employment outcomes, innovation and leadership. Please read on to learn more about our nominees and just some of the work they do to support participants and employees at Intelife.
Empowering Purpose
For more than two years, Eman has quietly but powerfully transformed the way Hanan sees herself and her place in the world.
Hanan, began her journey with limited workplace experience and low confidence. But through consistent, thoughtful support from Eman, she has grown into a confident and capable team member in her volunteer role at the Harold Hawthorn Community Centre – where she now helps serve meals, clear tables, and assist elderly patrons, with care and purpose.
Eman’s approach has been grounded in patience, hands-on training, and a deep commitment to building on Hanan’s strengths. From the beginning, Eman recognised Hanan’s potential and took time to introduce new skills gradually, always ensuring Hanan felt safe, included and encouraged. Over time, Eman scaffolded Hanan’s learning – supporting her to take on more responsibility, work independently, and develop critical job-readiness skills like time management, communication, and teamwork.
Hanan has blossomed under Eman’s guidance. She no longer observes from the sidelines but contributes meaningfully and is an integral part of the centre’s daily operations. Her confidence has soared, her skills have expanded, and her parents describe a daughter who returns home beaming with pride and a sense of purpose.
Eman’s colleagues describe her as someone who empowers others with quiet strength. She leads by example, creating a safe and welcoming space where people with disability are seen, valued, and included. She’s not only taught Hanan technical job skills but also supported her personal development – fostering positive connections with coworkers and clients alike.
The impact of Eman’s work extends beyond Hanan, giving her parents comfort and the joy of seeing their daughter thrive in a community-based setting. Eman’s belief in Hanan has changed what seemed possible, and her commitment to inclusion and high-quality support exemplifies the Intelife values.
Growing Confidence Through Supported Employment
When Harry first joined Intelife’s gardening and maintenance crew, he was quiet, reserved, and unsure of himself. Today, he not only speaks up in daily team briefings but has stood before a crowd to share his experiences at the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions’ Disability Day event. This transformation is thanks to the dedication, patience, and professional guidance of his crew supervisor, Kerry.
Kerry manages gardening contracts and supports teams of up to three supported employees at sites including Armadale Hospital and the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Beyond horticulture, she creates meaningful employment experiences that empower her team members.
For Harry, a young man in his early twenties, Kerry’s structured and supportive approach made all the difference. Through a combination of practical training, positive reinforcement and clear communication, she helped Harry develop both technical and interpersonal skills. From selecting the right PPE and identifying hazards on-site, to learning how to communicate confidently with clients and co-workers, Harry has grown into a reliable and valued team member.
At the heart of Kerry’s success is her method of “scaffolding” support – providing the right guidance at the right time, then gradually stepping back to build independence. She begins each day with safety briefings, uses tools like “Take 5s” and Toolbox Talks, and takes the time to ensure every team member understands not just what to do, but why it matters.
Thanks to this approach, Harry and his teammates have mastered tasks including lawn maintenance, pruning, plant identification and safe machinery operation – leading to praise from clients and the awarding of additional contracts to Intelife. In fact, the quality of their work has played a direct role in growing the commercial side of Intelife’s services.
Harry’s family have described his newfound confidence and independence as “life-changing.” Where there was once uncertainty, there is now pride. And behind that transformation is Kerry – a leader who sees potential in every person she works with, and who makes sure they see it in themselves.
From Participant to Leader
When Salvatore first began attending SASSY Bingo sessions, he was a participant quietly enjoying the social atmosphere. But when he expressed interest in taking on more responsibility, Caroline immediately saw a meaningful opportunity. By actively listening and recognising his potential, she helped turn his curiosity into capability – supporting him to step into a new, more active role that aligned with his goals for independence.
Caroline helped Salvatore secure a voluntary position collecting entry fees at Bingo. While this was initially a daunting prospect for Salvatore, especially managing money, Caroline approached the challenge with creativity, structure, and patience. She developed a tailored training program using visual aids, hands-on demonstrations, and role-playing exercises to teach Salvatore how to recognise currency, count accurately, give correct change, and eventually use electronic payment devices with confidence.
As Salvatore gained practical financial skills, he also grew more self-assured. Caroline’s steady encouragement allowed him to develop social confidence, workplace habits and independence – progressing from hesitating over basic transactions to confidently managing the door at Bingo with minimal supervision. He now welcomes attendees, handles money accurately, and enjoys meaningful interactions with the community.
Importantly, Caroline’s support directly aligned with Salvatore’s NDIS goals of increasing daily living skills and becoming financially independent. Her person-centred approach ensured that Salvatore remained in control of his progress. She empowered him to make decisions, explore his limits safely, and ultimately take pride in achieving a goal that once felt out of reach.
Caroline’s excellence lies not just in the technical skills she imparts, but in the way she fosters dignity, choice, and inclusion. She demonstrated exceptional care in creating a respectful and encouraging learning environment that honoured Salvatore’s preferences and goals – setting a benchmark for what high-quality, person-led support looks like in practice.
Through her dedication, Caroline has helped transform Salvatore’s self-belief and equipped him with practical, transferable skills that will serve him far beyond his current role. Her work exemplifies Intelife’s values and makes a genuine, lasting difference in the lives of people with disability.
Kicking Goals – On and Off the Field
Few things bring Stephen more joy than cheering on his beloved Fremantle Dockers at Optus Stadium. For Stephen, who lives with complex health needs, getting to the game – and living a life filled with independence, social connection, and good food – requires more than just passion. It requires patient, consistent support. That’s where Team Stephen has made all the difference.
Team Stephen (Michelle Maimanuku, Mona Briggs, Narna Williams, Rachel Hughes) has played a vital role in supporting Stephen to realise his goals – not just by encouraging his love of footy, but by creating practical ways for Stephen to develop confidence, independence and healthy routines. From helping Stephen navigate the journey to and from football matches using public transport, to supporting him in making better dietary choices and getting regular exercise, Team Stephen has worked with Stephen to ensure his goals are more than just ideas on a plan – they’re real-life actions, woven into his daily life.
When Stephen said he wanted to eat more healthily and learn to cook, Team Stephen and his team didn’t just prepare meals for him, they found ways to support him to do it himself. For instance, when Stephen struggled to use a knife, they sourced a push-down vegetable chopper to help him prepare ingredients safely and independently. Team Stephen has supported Stephen to cook meals from a variety of cultures, which he now shares proudly with his housemates.
The result is a man who’s not just eating better but connecting more – attending Friday night discos, enjoying outings with friends, and feeling a growing sense of capability. With encouragement and structured support from Team Stephen, he now independently chooses and prepares meals, attends the pool for exercise, and confidently catches the train home after cheering on his team at the stadium.
Team Stephen s approach is grounded in respect – not only for Stephen’s goals, but for the culture and identity that matter most to him. For Stephen, his love for the Fremantle Dockers runs deep, and Team Stephen has recognised this passion as a core part of who he is. Supporting it has meant more than a good time at the footy – it’s been about connection, autonomy, and joy.
Through these small but meaningful actions, Team Stephen has helped Stephen transform daily tasks into empowering milestones. With the right support, Stephen is no longer watching from the sidelines – he’s in the game.
