Sunshine Coast disability service Lavender Co adds new homes to Yandina property
A Sunshine Coast teacher is hoping to change respite housing and give people living with a disability somewhere to call home with eight more luxurious houses on his 15ha hinterland property.
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A Sunshine Coast couple has expanded their unique disability company with the addition of eight more luxurious houses on a 15ha hinterland property – saying everyone deserves adequate housing.
Michael and Simone Burke have announced more respite accommodation at Lavender Co, at Yandina, to provide a home away from home for people with disabilities.
Lavender Co is a disability support company with more than 60 staff, offering services such as tailored care, day support, short term stay, and supported independent living at seven luxury properties across the region.
Michael and Simone Burke founded the service, which has properties in Mountain Creek, Buderim, Yandina and Nambour, in 2018.
The holistic disability provider will build eight guest cabins on its 15-acre Yandina property later this year and in early 2025.
They will allow guests to stay in their own space with the support of a dedicated team member onsite.
“We are building on the success of our existing six properties to offer more opportunities for people in our community to have choice and control over where and how they choose to live,” Mr Burke said.
“Our proven model of holistic care is based on empowering guests with practical skills to live their best lives.
“It is our hope that we create a model that can be replicated anywhere in Australia or the world, on how disability can be done differently.
“Our mix of respite, short-term and long-term accommodation has empowered the families of our guests to return to work – sometimes for the first time in over a decade – which has obvious flow-on effects for the wellbeing of the broader community and local economy.”
Inspired by his students when teaching at a local special school, Mr Burke established the service with a respite apartment back in 2018 to support families who were seeking disability done differently for their loved one.
Fast forward to 2024 and he is now improving the lives of people with a disability by providing home away from home and respite services across the Sunshine Coast.
“Our 62 trained and energetic staff work across six boutique properties where guests live independently with the care they need – taking part in activities from gardening to cooking to painting and enjoying community participation of their preference,” Mr Burke said.
The Yandina property has an existing Queenslander style home providing a home for four guests. While there, guests participate in gardening activities, harvest produce from the garden, care for the chickens and prepare meals using homegrown produce.
Mr Burke said the integration of nature and daily living is part of providing a holistic living experience and providing a safe and calm environment.
The care is funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Mr Burke said without it, their guests would face a very different reality.
“Whilst there are changes afoot for the NDIS, the current funding helps us to have a positive impact on the lives of people living with a disability,” he said.
“Through the scheme Lavender Co has provided positive outcomes for people who deserve to live their best lives in a safe, supportive environment.”
Mr Burke said believed everyone deserved a nice home.
“When I was working as a teacher I saw young people accessing respite and wanted to provide better for them,” he said.
“Everyone is entitled to a nice place to stay.
“I just thought these people deserve better and I wanted to offer that.
“I just want to provide great opportunities for people living with a disability so they can live independently.
“When I left home I decided where I wanted to live, with who and for how long … those with a disability aren’t afforded that choice.
“We’re aiming to change that in an affordable way.
“There is a critical housing shortage and it’s even more difficult for those living with a disability to access housing.”
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