Welcome to Project Independence!
Our focus is to support people with an intellectual disability to become more independent. We do this through an innovative approach enabling people to buy their own home that is designed in a community environment that empowers them to step into an independent life.
Our Mission:
To provide a place of safety for residents to grow their independence both financially and socially with guidance and support whilst living within a sustainable, safe and caring community.
Social impact spotlight
When you talk with Glenn Keys, the founder of Project Independence, his vision is clear. There is a deep understanding that to achieve independence one needs to consider the financial and the social aspects.
"We have an opportunity to revolutionise social housing. It is long overdue that people with a disability are included in the conversation that surrounds affordable and accessible accommodation."
"Everybody automatically assumes rental when we talk about housing and people with a disability. We want people to know that people do not have to be a hostage to your landlord and they can own their own home. They have a right to be in a position of strength and security. "
This also provides great relief to parents, who know that they need to explore longer-term options for their child.
"I want to help my son transition to independence, with some supports around him, so that it enables him to have a good life. It is important they can survive the death of their parents."
This report explores the social impact of Project Independence on its community, and beyond.
What is social impact?
The Centre for Social Impact states:
"Social impact can be defined as the net effect of an activity on a community, and the wellbeing of individuals and families."
Project Independence (PI) delivers a new housing model, supported by staff who help to bridge the transition from committed family support to enhanced levels of living independently. Well-being for individuals and families is at the core of what PI does.
This report is focused on exploring the social impact delivered through the PI approach. Since the model is a person-centred approach and the focus is on wellbeing, it is useful to explore social impact through the stories and observations of residents, families and staff. These stories provide a deep insight into how PI operates and the impact it is having. This is also supported by data provided through an annual survey, which is presented toward the end to illustrate that there is a consistent level of high satisfaction with the PI model.
Background
In 2018, PI undertook its first Social Impact Assessment. Twenty residents were living in two housing complexes, at Latham and Harrison, ACT since September 2016. It focused on five priority areas of impact. While undertaking research for this report, it became evident that although those priority areas still resonated for people, it was agreed that the language could be updated to better connect with how people described impact for PI. This report outlines the updated language and added some descriptions as to what was focused on to demonstrate social impact. The report used these areas as a foundation to explore the level of social impact.
Social impact key priority areas
- Resident Wellbeing - Levels of health, happiness, relational ability and social inclusion
- Family Wellbeing - Levels of health, happiness and quality of relationships particularly with child and support services provided
- Housing Availability - Ability for people to access appropriate housing that supports their independence
- Economic participation - Ability to engage with meaningful work, education and training programs that support their ability to access economic resources
- Tailored support services - Access to services that support participation in individual and group activities that enhances growth and journey towards greater independence, based on their needs.
Social impact in action
The whole approach of PI is centred around the person. There is a deep care for the needs of the individual, supported by the changing relationship of the families as independence is enhanced, together with balancing the needs of the collective community. It is an interconnected system that is unique. It is one of the only models based on working with the individuals to provide an opportunity for them to buy their own home and to develop the skills to become independent in daily living.
The tailored support system that is provided through the Live-In Resident Co-ordinators (LIRC) and the Operations teams help to ensure individuals are guided in ways towards independence that is tailored to them. The LIRC (pictured is one of them from Latham supporting the residents in the kitchen after dinner) lives full-time at the housing complex, providing dinner Monday - Friday, cleaning the main areas and most importantly being a presence to listen to the residents, talk through any issues and support them in their steps towards achieving more of their independence goals. Part of this service is supporting them through the many opportunities to learn while living with a community of 10 residents. This opens doors to developing more social skills, engaging with daily living skills in a community environment and practicing behaviours that enable each person to grow and develop at their pace. This leads to enhanced resident wellbeing.
It is recognised that the families are key to supporting the transition to independence. Part of assisting their 'release' process is provided through tailored support services. Just like each individual needs different levels of support, so does the family. When this balance is in harmony, then it contributes to families being able to grow and develop in different ways. From a social impact perspective, this may lead to parents returning to the workforce, families going on holidays and pressure released from siblings to take on the responsibility of the primary carer role. All of these elements work towards greater levels of family wellbeing.
Economic participation is demonstrated in numerous ways. The foundation of this initiative is creating housing availability, that is safe and secure and opens the door to home ownership for people with a disability. This delivers a different financial opportunity that has not been accessible for people with a disability. A key element that was applauded by parents is the 'try before you buy' scheme. This allows people to get a taste of what it is like living at PI and ensure it is the right fit. Also, combining this with the support services, which also work closely with NDIS, means that residents start growing in confidence in their ability to undertake further training or employment. This is where the multi-faceted approach comes into its own from a social impact perspective.
Project Independence Pathway
Natural inquiry
To gain a deep understanding of these impact priority areas, we spent time with the residents in their environment. It is through their stories that we gain richer insight into their lives, their shifts in perspectives, behaviours and the connection to changes for families and hence communities that really highlights the depth of social impact delivered through this initiative. Following are a number of stories that outline the different depth of impact that PI has had not only on the lives of the residents but also of the families.
Meet Greg living at Latham: Key impacts: Housing availability and resident wellbeing - social
As I walked through to the back of the house, I met Greg and Luke cooking dinner for the residents on the BBQ.
Greg proudly tells me this is only his second time cooking on the BBQ. Even though Greg has lived by himself since 2001, he was feeling lonely. "I was living at Kaleen and there was no-one to talk to." He also didn't like the "noisy dogs and neighbours."
He came to PI in April 2021. Compared to where he was before he feels like he's "coming out of (his) shell more."
"I like having people to talk to. I sometimes see Rebecca and Luke for a coffee at night."
As he carefully turns the corn on the BBQ, with a big smile on his face, he shares how much they all "help each other out". He pauses and says slightly nodding his head, "I'm enjoying it". We move on to talk about his family. His sister lives in Flynn and his mum resides in Isabella Plains. His family thinks moving into Project Independence is the
"best thing that's happened to me."
When he reflects on his previous home, he says "I was always on edge. There was no-one to talk to."
He pauses again and then shared that his dad passed away in August last year. He was really close to his dad and he has felt there have been some hard times since then.
"I listen to music and try to forget things. I like doing work as that is all I think about when I am doing it."
He is disappointed that his Dad never got to see his roses.
At this point, Greg is obviously really sad about the loss of his Dad. He starts to light up again as we chat about his garden. He loves gardening! His voluntary work at Old Parliament House has been on hold due to COVID. This has not stopped him from gardening in his courtyard.
One of the benefits of the way the Project Independence accommodation is set up, is each of the residents have their own unit and space outside. This is accompanied by the shared living space, so that residents can explore their own interests and help each other out.
When you visit it is easy to observe the residents helping each other out. This shows a growth in the individuals and their social engagement and how it would reduce stress on other services. As a practical example, Greg who can drive, often picks up Bec from work.
Meet Sophie living at Latham Key impact: Resident well being - increased decision making for herself
"To be independent!" These are the first words Sophie shares accompanied by a beaming smile. She is so enthusiastic to share with you that she is focused on "taking care of myself.'"
As she eats she talks about her love of food. She reveals she has completed her Certificate II in Hospitality. She loves making rice paper rolls. After chatting for a while she shows me her phone proudly pointing out that she has walked over 10 000 steps today. She loves to "walk by the school." When she is at mum and dad's she "walks the dogs."
Her steps toward greater independence grew during the Pathways to Independence (Pathways) pilot program. This eight-week project allows budding residents to understand the transition needed to be eligible for Project Independence. Sophie proudly shows off her own unit. She loves it! While enjoying the sunset from her own balcony, she says "it is pretty quiet around here."
Her unit is filled with her artwork. She points around the room to all the different artworks she has painted, included one with her beloved Harry Potter. She has watched all of the movies....several times.
Creativity is so important to Sophie. As she shared more about herself, she walks over and opens up her writing book. She reveals a number of songs she has written. Currently, she writes for herself, particularly at night. She would love one day for her songs to be sung by someone famous, maybe Guy Sebastian - one of her favourites!
Sophie is so proud of her increasing independence. Her unit is decorated with Ikea furniture she chose. She still has a lot of support from her family, and she is enjoying making decisions for herself.
Meet Isabelle living at Harrison Key impact areas: economic participation and resident wellbeing
Isabelle is 22 years old and moved into the Harrison Project Independence house four years ago. She has gone from strength to strength since starting her independence journey.
"I love my life!"
Isabelle works at GG's, a florist based in Farrer. Over the past few years, she works one day a week, usually on a Tuesday. Her time living more independently at Project Independence has increased her confidence, which has enhanced the level of connections she has and the different jobs she can do.
She has many jobs. She helps out with preparing for deliveries and goes out to do the deliveries. When in the car travelling with Isabelle, you will hear One Direction blasting from the stereo.
Her favourite job is putting hampers together. She can now do 12 in a day, along with her other jobs.
"I am so good at hampers".
Isabelle continues to learn more and more skills to build her independence. She has her own courtyard with a beautiful garden that she walks around and looks after with the help of her parents. She also loves making things, like the table and chairs in her courtyard, which she made with her support worker.
"I like my house and love my room"
Recently Isabelle redecorated her room just the way she wanted it. One of the important aspects of the PI model is that people have choice and they have their space to express themselves freely.
Isabelle is also creative. She loves to paint and display her work around her room. With a smile on her face, she says that her
"best work is anything about love."
Meet Matt living at Harrison Key impact: Tailored support services
For Matt the transition to Project Independence was not a smooth road. He expresses that there were many "ups and downs."
Matt has been at PI for 5 years. He came from a 40 acre farm. He loved living at his family home and found the transition into living independently challenging.
He shared how he used to "hide in the cupboard". He also found he "didn't like to talk with people" when he first arrived. He acknowledges he made "plenty of mistakes", but now things are a "lot better".
With the support of PI, his family and the other residents and their families, Matt has progressed.
He now talks with people regularly, shares more about his feelings and is learning how to regulate his emotions. Now when things are a little heated, he "just backs off."
"I reflect on my behaviour. Take sometime to cool down and the next day talk with LIRC."
Matt's story highlights the importance of the support shown by the Live-in Resident Co-ordinators (LIRC). Together, they share stories and it is evident how much care they have for one another, and the growth that the LIRC has supported Matt on.
This is part of the unique value that PI provides. Not only does it provide the opportunity for people with a disability to live independently; it also provides direct support and an environment that people can learn how to interact with others in a meaningful way. This balance between supporting individual needs and collective needs is a constant balancing act that the LIRC face each day.
Matt's story also highlights one of the fundamental beliefs that people can change their behaviours when provided with the right support and environment to enable them to grow and develop.
Meet Rhys living at Harrison Key impact: Economic participation and continued growth
Rhys is one of the residents that has been at PI for the longest. He is keen to show off his big new fridge when you step into his unit. He has a big batch of pasta in the fridge.
"I love to cook and prepare for others. Some people want to try it, but it is not for everyone as I love chilli."
When he shows us around his unit, he talks about the support he has been getting to declutter. The people have "helped me how to think about different things. I keep moving things around until I've found a structure that suits me."
"Going through all of this has been a learning process that has made me feel better."
Rhys likes to keep as organised as he can. He is integrating more tools to help him in his daily life. He went into the office for the first time since COVID lockdown started. He said, "it was a bit weird."
Rhys works in the public service. He gets himself to work, but he is looking into an e-scooter, as he now works in Mitchell.
This opens up a conversation about how he is managing his finances. "I am looking at financial options, as you can sometimes get sucked in."
"I want to learn for myself."
"Dad, what happens if you die, and you haven't taught me how to do it".
David, his father talks about the importance of "doing with, rather than doing for". He shares that there is a release process. Every parent journeys through this differently, however one of the benefits of the PI model is the support provided by the staff including the LIRC, who are supported by the Operations Manager.
This combination of roles is a key element of the success of the approach. David highlights the importance of the right staff in the key roles that help to provide that bridge for residents as they transition from the family doing many day-to-day tasks for them to their skill and capability growing to enable them to take on more tasks.
Key Impact Shifts
Insights
The stories highlight the importance of well-being for the residents through many dimensions. There is no one-size-fits-all, and this is recognised through the PI model. Families are also on journeys that differ. The support of the service is key to helping them to transition their relationship with their child, so the different levels of independence can be realised.
The key shifts are summarised in the table. Many individuals and families backed up by staff observations talked about these elements as central to the building blocks toward independence.
It is the intersection of all of these areas of priority that are so crucial to develop to gain the growth in independence in individuals, that then can translate to the families, and onto the wider community. All the key areas interconnect to provide a unique approach to providing people with a disability an opportunity to own their own house - something that has been seen as the bedrock of our Aussie way of life. Housing is viewed as the foundational aspect that numerous other areas of independence can grow. It creates the foundation towards the pathway to independence.
Adequate safe and secure housing enables people to focus on other aspects of themselves to journey towards well being. This model moves beyond creating that which is seen as a traditional housing model, rather it works with the current context to enable individuals to purchase their own home. This also may not be the end of the end of the journey for some. It maybe the beginning of an even more independent one. This model aims to support different layers of independence. It maybe a transitional opportunity, whereas for others this maybe a huge step that continues to support them from surviving to thriving.
The model combines providing individuals with housing, with appropriate support that helps them bridge between their old and new ways of being. As highlighted in the stories it supports the family to ‘release’ the primary carer role that they had played for so long. This not only releases the individual into newfound independence it also enables families to discover a new way of life. Meaning that they now are able to increase their own self-care, refocus on other relationships or open the door to reconnecting with other employment opportunities.
Learning in action
As you become more acquainted with the Project Independence model, the more you understand that it is a great example of action research. Initiated by responding to a desperate need to provide housing for people with an intellectual disability, then continually evolving to better meet the needs of the residents and the families.
In the complex eco-system, it became more evident that the role of the families in supporting their child transition info becoming more independent is multi-dimensional.
One aspect each parent discussed was the need to 'release'. This takes time, self-awareness and support. There is a need to understand that for their child take more steps towards independent, their role and relationship shifts. This can be challenging. PI model recognises this and provides a range of support to encourage the release process. This commences even prior their child moves into their own PI residence.
After years to working with residents and families, it was recognised that the residents that this model suited has some basic living skills, and that means the parents stop doing certain things for them. This can be challenging. It requires the right environment and support to enable this to occur.
Further learnings led to the design, development and delivery of a pilot program called 'Pathways to Independence' (Pathways). This is an eight-week program delivered on Sundays for potential residents to participate in.
Not only does this provide support for the residents to start to consider that it means to move towards a more independent way of living, it also provides the families a framework to start to consider their changing role.
To add to the impact, previous participants can become mentors for the next group. This learning loop enables pathways graduates to put their own learning into action. It helps build their skills and confidence.
This newfound independence can see benefits in the family home even prior to leaving. Ellie, who has undertaken the Pathways course speaks about her increased confidence to get a credit card, start doing more cooking, catching an uber. The parents also talk about this transition process as important. They can see her starting to prepare for the journey ahead.
For parents, this transition can be filled with a kaleidoscope of emotions. It can be challenging to let go of the intensity of the caring, support roles that they have undertaken since the birth of their child. Yet, it can also open up a new world for the parents. It opens doors to explore other employment options, holidays, taking care of other children and grandchildren with more of focus.
From a social impact perspective, this can have huge flow-on effects. Individuals can start contributing to their lives with a different level of attention that had not been afforded to them. From a broader social impact perspective, this can lift work contribution, a greater level of economic participation in a different form, investment in themselves and others through time away.
This is a new offering, since the last social impact assessment. It well-demonstrates the action learning approach. Through observing participants in the PI system, they have responded to some of the findings about how people best transition into the PI housing model. Then, they have adapted the program to develop the Pathways program. This was piloted and iterated to ensure it met the needs of PI and the new residents and families.
This program also highlights the way PI works with its immediate and extended community. It engaged with current residents to participate in the program and current families. They were able to test the concepts and evolve them accordingly. This program continues to involve parents who also have other skills to share. The ability to share experiences and skills, is another part of the social impact that leads to greater community engagement.
Continuing to Strengthen Social Impact - key areas
- Scalability
- Succession planning for Sustainability
- Measurement
Scalability
There is growing interest in the PI model. PI is about to develop its third housing community in Phillip. This will provide the opportunity for another 10 residents to take this step into living more independently. There are also plans to introduce the concept in Melbourne in 2022 and Sydney in future years. This will continue to be important to show the model works and can be adapted to other community settings. Partnerships with businesses and governments will continue to be key to help grow the model and ensure that it can be a scalable model.
The level of scalability is key for investors to see the benefits of investing in the concept, over different social housing models. PI is also looking at developing PI into a Social Business Franchise. This would open up the opportunity to grow the concept in different sites.
There are also discussions about whether this model could be applied to other groups in need of affordable housing with a level of support. Groups such as women moving out of domestic violence circumstances, or single older women who do not see themselves in a nursing home, yet find that their super is not enough to live on their own and refugees. These opportunities for expansion are commendable, however the operational support and the financial modeling need to continue to be considered to scale effectively and efficiently.
Succession planning for Sustainability
Key to the success of the PI model is the staff. In particular, the LIRC plays a vital role in bringing to life the needed support structures to enable individuals to move into a more independent life, while supporting the family in the transition. The Operations team (see photo) provides the foundational support for the LIRCs and assists with family support in the transition to independence for the individual. It was evident throughout the interviews the important role the staff play in holding this concept together. As mentioned throughout this report, the delivery of these support services are key to balancing the individual and collective needs. To ensure the long-term viability, a clear capability and succession plan needs to be considered.
This also applies to the Board who are such important custodians of the concept. The various strengths and capabilities need to be mapped and consideration needs to be given to the long-term people planning to ensure the long-term sustainability of the model.
The community, business and government connections that the current Board brings are invaluable to the continued growth of the model. They embody the principles, vision and mission, which empowers the richness of broader social impact.
Measurement
This report continues to draw on the five key priority areas developed in the first social impact assessment. Even though the language has been slightly tweaked to be more aligned to the meaning for PI, the key intent still resonates. It is recognised that measuring social impact is complex. It requires a multi-faceted approach to be able to effectively paint the whole picture of the social impact delivered.
For PI to continue to strengthen its level of impact, it would be useful for the Board to develop clear set of measures connected to these priority areas of impact. Something in the way of an Independence Indicator that could be applied to each individual, the direct community, and assessed by families and staff to explore the independence growth. Also how that impacts the family and in doing so their engagement more broadly in their communities, and in some cases the return to work, or enabled to go on more holidays that invests in the broader community in a different way.
More of a focus on measurement interconnects with scalability, as investors want to understand how the initiative has met its goals. This will underpin attracting the right staff, which leads to better succession planning that will enable a more sustainable approach to assist the growth and longevity of the model.
There are many frameworks to draw upon to take the next step of maturity for PI. Adopting a theory of change approach combined with the action learning model, maybe a useful way to progress. This would then guide the next phase of maturation of systems and processes to enable better collection of data, which would allow for deeper assessment to be able to demonstrate the breath and depth of success.
PI Family survey - comparing 2018 to 2020 results
Approach: human led
The research approach undertaken to explore social impact has taken a multi-method human-centred design approach. As we were exploring the level of social impact, we have focused on gaining a deep understanding of the levels of impact by talking with and deeply listening to residents, families (existing, potential and post), staff and Board members.
We undertook 1:1 in-depth interviews online with a selections of parents, staff and Board members. This enabled us to hear the stories of these people that combined lived experience and expertise.
We also used a method called natural inquiry to connect with the residents so we could meet them in their context (their home) at dinner time, which is often a more social time. The enabled the residents to share with the researcher the most important aspects of their life and which often revealed more about their level of independence.
Following time together chatting over dinner, many residents were keen to show off their own units and open up about what is important to them. Many then felt comfortable to share more of their story of change towards independence.
This approach provides various data points, so that we can analyse common themes around levels of impact that PI has had.
This information was supplemented with the results of the most recent satisfaction survey and reviewing any other relevant documentation to support our research.
To manage the project, we created a core design team with Project Independence and engaged with them in weekly check-ins and playbacks to ensure they were closely involved in the design, development and delivery of the project.
Thank you!
We thank all the residents, families, and staff who made it possible to get an insight into their independence journey. We appreciate that all residents invited us into their homes and spent tine opening up about their way of life. We are especially grateful for the residents who shared their stories with us. Without you, this report could not have been compiled.
Credits:
Report compiled by Meld Studios Photography by Belle Photography