Endeavour Foundation opens new accessible home in Rockhampton

Three best friends have received the keys to their brand new and fully accessible home, with two more similar properties in the works for Rockhampton.

Laurell and Gweneth at the front of their brand new home.

Gweneth, Edwina and Laurell have known each other most of their lives, sharing a love of singing, arts and crafts.

Now thanks to the completion of a brand new, fully accessible, home they will be able to do they things they love together everyday.

The three friends have received the keys to their Norman Gardens home now that the $710,000 build has been completed.

The home is the latest to be launched under the Endeavour Foundation’s $33m ‘My Home, My Life’ initiative, custom custom created for the three best friends with disability.

The property is equipped with a large accessible bathroom, a kitchen with adjustable bench tops and spacious suites for support carers.

“I have a big new bedroom. I’m going to put my horse blanket in there, and horse pictures, and I have new clothes go to in my new wardrobe,” Laurell said.

Gweneth testing out the adjustable benchtop.

“This is my first brand new home, and Edwina is coming, she’s my best friend.”

Edwina’s father Peter Burton said he was pleased with the new home.

“When we look at what we live in ourselves, I must admit, this home has been wonderfully designed and built, but more importantly meets the lady’s requirements,” he said.

It’s also in a lovely community, with other families in a new estate, so we’re also delighted Edwina and her friends will enjoy integrating into their new neighborhood.”

Endeavour Foundation Executive General Manager for Home and Community, Leanne Rutherford, said the new home would allow the Gweneth, Edwina and Laurell to live as independently as they choose.

“What it means for people living with disability is that they get to live in an affordable, safe and accessible home,” she said.

“When we say fully accessible, what we’re talking about is wider hallways, adjustable benchtops, much larger bathrooms, but also a range of safety features such as a front door intercom, and safety alarms in each of the bedrooms so people can call for support as they need.

“What all that does is it really supports people to live as independently as they possibly can because it means they can move around more freely, they can be involved in everyday activities like you or I.”

A spacious private suite for a support person.

Since 2020 Endeavour Foundation has invested more than $33m into building and renovating 65 homes in Queensland to the Platinum level of the Livable Housing Australia Guidelines, offering Queenslanders with disability greater choice and independence.

As well as the new home for Gweneth, Edwina and Laurell, another two homes in Rockhampton are currently being renovated as part of the My Home, My Life initiative.

According to the NDIS (SDA Demand Data) there are nearly 4000 Queensland NDIS participants who are living in or have registered their need for Specialist Disability Accommodation (SDA), but only around half have a suitable home to live in.

“It’s really surprising to know that over 1400 Queenslanders have SDA funding approved but aren’t using it, and a further 370 people are eligible for SDA but don’t have the funding yet. More needs to be done to support people into homes that are suitable to meet their needs, and that’s why My Home My Life is so important,” said Mrs Rutherford.

“We are passionate about supporting people with disability to grow in their skills and independence. Having the choice of where to live and in a home they choose, is one way. Having support to to find employment, engage with the local community and to learn new skills are equally important ways Endeavour Foundation supports people living with disability to turn possibilities into reality.”