Dear Friends of BestLife
It’s been far too long since our last update—proof of just how much has been happening. We’re delighted to launch our quarterly newsletter to keep you better informed. Here’s a brief snapshot of what we’ve been up to.
Growth and Expansion
Over the past 12 months, our programs have expanded significantly. We’ve welcomed new clients, invited our besties to enjoy their three-night HouseMates stays more frequently, and steadily grown our 24/7 independent living services—creating even more opportunities for independence, friendship, and community participation.
A special shoutout to Besties Alana and Lara, who, after 10 years with BestLife, have taken the exciting step of trialling supported independent living in their own home with our team’s support.
Watching their journey has been truly inspiring-spreading their wings, learning new skills, and embracing the freedom and camaraderie of this transition out of their family homes. Well done, girls! We aim to expand 24/7 services to even more clients in 2025–2026.
Every Brain is Different and ‘Every Moment has Potential’
Our BestLife team training has evolved to include education on neurodiversity—building understanding that all brains are different. This perspective helps our support team recognise and embrace each bestie’s unique way of experiencing the world. By developing compassion, using visual supports, clear communication, and sensory-friendly strategies, our team is better equipped to tailor support in meaningful ways.
This training helps bring one of our key person-centred principles to life: every moment has potential. It’s a reminder that with the right support and understanding, every interaction can be an opportunity for connection, growth, and empowerment.
Helena’s House Milestone
It’s been a wonderful year for Helena’s House! We’ve secured land in Carina, celebrated the official groundbreaking, and secured $2 million funding support from the the Queensland Government. With completed designs and artist impressions in hand, we are well on our way. Thank you for helping us make this long held vision a reality. Read more in the Helena’s House news section below🌟.
Navigating NDIS Changes in 2025
As many of you know, the NDIS is undergoing significant changes in 2025, placing substantial demands on providers. I want to take a moment to acknowledge our hardworking team—especially our senior program manager and admin executives—for navigating these changes with adaptability, resilience, and for their steadfast commitment to making sure our clients remain at the centre of everything we do.
International Day of People with Disability
IDPwD 2024 was a true highlight. It was an honour to speak alongside our wise and wonderful Patron, Dr Dinesh Palipana, at an event hosted by our pro bono legal partners, McCullough Robertson. Our thanks to McCullough for fostering inclusion, empowerment, and personal growth for people with disability.
And thank you for being part of our community—we couldn’t do this without you!
With gratitude
