About Us

Founder Story

“Having been bullied for having a disability throughout my childhood, I am a firm believer in social justice. I feel that the needs, rights, and basic human dignity of every person should never be overlooked.

Individuals with a disability should never be treated as less but provided with the opportunity to participate in the community as any other person. Supports are necessary to ensure the dignity and respect of an individual. Everyone has the right to choose what they want from life, and making those choices is empowering and essential to human growth.

Living Communities exists to assist people who sometimes have their voices lost in crowded spaces. This is especially true for those who identify as LGBTQIA++.

We are here to empower our clients, providing them with ways and means to improve their quality of life.

– Ben Bullivant, Founder of Living Communities

Disability Leading disability

At Living Communities we believe a holistic approach starts with the people who provide the supports. Living Communities is run by people with disabilities, “Disability leading disability”.

This plays a crucial role in helping individuals with disabilities achieve their goals as these services offered are person centred and offer several key benefits:

1. Empowerment: Services run by individuals with disabilities can empower others by providing role models and mentors who have firsthand experience with the challenges and opportunities of living with a disability. This can inspire a sense of possibility and self-confidence.

2. Understanding: Peers with disabilities often have a deeper understanding of the unique challenges and barriers that individuals with disabilities face. This understanding can lead to more effective and empathetic support.

3. Shared Experiences: Peers can relate to the experiences and emotions that individuals with disabilities may be going through. Sharing similar experiences can create a sense of connection and camaraderie.

4. Practical Advice: Peer-run services can offer practical advice and strategies for overcoming challenges related to education, employment, daily living, and social integration. This advice is often based on real-world experiences.

5. Advocacy: Services run by people with disabilities often engage in advocacy efforts to promote the rights and interests of the disability community. This can lead to positive changes in policies and attitudes.

6. Community Building: Peer-run services can help individuals with disabilities connect with a supportive community of like-minded individuals, reducing feelings of isolation and loneliness.

7. Person Centred Support: Peer-run services can offer support that is tailored to the specific needs and goals of individuals with disabilities, recognizing that each person’s experience is unique.

OUR MISSION

At Living Communities, we promote the individual rights, freedom and expression of our diverse community by promoting opportunities for meaningful participation in the community. We do this to build a living community to ensure individuals who access our services reach their goals.

At Living Communities our primary objective is to provide disability support services to members of diverse communities and the LGBTQIA+ communities who identify as having a disability and/or require support services.

We provide a range of services ranging from Assistance in Daily Living Requirements, Community Access Support, Garden and Yard Maintenance, Personal Training Services, Cleaning Services, Food Preparation Support, Community Transport and Advocacy.

OUR VISION

Our vision is to promote growth and development in the daily lives of people, by building a living community. We do this by making our clients the centre of everything we do.

OUR OBJECTIVES

To achieve our mission and vision, Living Communities base our objectives on the six National Standards that apply to Disability Support providers.

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Rights

Living Communities promotes individual rights to freedom of expression, self-determination and decision-making. We actively prevent abuse, harm, neglect, and violence.

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Participation and inclusion

Living Communities works with individuals and families, friends, and carers to promote opportunities for meaningful participation and active inclusion in society.

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Individual Outcomes

Living Communities services and supports are assessed, planned, delivered, and reviewed to build on individual strengths and enable individuals to reach their goals.