Diverse Abilities Wellbeing Network broadens support offering after CBD expansion

A thriving local disability provider is offering its clients the opportunity for adventures and learning important life skills. See where they’ve relocated in the CBD.

DAWN Services offers its clients a range of group activities including archery. Picture: Supplied.

A North Queensland business has gone from strength to strength in its work helping people living find fulfilment, build strong social connections, and achieve their full potential.

After settling in Townsville 13 years ago, Kenyan community leader Miriam Owato founded the Diverse Abilities Wellbeing Network (DAWN) Services five years ago when she began supporting clients on Palm Island, who subsequently relocated to Townsville.

DAWN has dramatically grown from a one woman operation to having offices in Townsville, Ingham and Cairns, with over 100 staff.

Through the NDIS, the organisation offers a wide range of support services including personal care, practical support in the home, community nursing care, community participation, daily living support in a shared living arrangement, travel and transport, group and centre activities, accommodation/tenancy assistance, life skills development, assistance with life stage transitions and plan management.

DAWN business development and support co-ordination manager Shania Gobbert said they offered a compassionate, holistic approach, where participants were carefully matched with dedicated support workers to ensure the best support.

DAWN Services offers its clients the opportunity to get out into the outdoors for adventures. Picture: Supplied.

“Some feedback that we’ve had is that the staff members that they’ve had are friendly and kind, and they’ve never really had support like the staff members from DAWN, and they love the service that they get,” Ms Gobbert said.

“DAWN provides services to any age of participants, and quite a diverse range of participants as well, with a number of disabilities, ages, cultural, (and we’re) happy to support anyone as long as you know we’re the right fit.”

Miriam Owato founded the Diverse Abilities Wellbeing Network five years ago. Picture: Leighton Smith.

Due to the organisation outgrowing its office in Bolam St, Knight Frank agents Dan Place and Mark Fitzgerald were able to help them secure a seven year lease on the former Skytrans building at 647 Flinders St – a fully renovated two-level commercial office building with attached warehouse.

Local builder Lyon Build North Queensland upgraded to the external facade and completed a brand-new internal fit-out with disabled amenities.

DAWN Services has taken over the former Skytrans building at 647 Flinders St. Picture: Supplied.

DAWN Services has taken over the former Skytrans building at 647 Flinders St. Picture: Supplied.

Ms Gobbert said the larger space allowed them to expand their range of group/centre activities, which were unlike other programs in Townsville.

“It’s not a set routine every week. (We’re) actually teaching them some life skills, … archery, cooking, sewing, … trips out to like Alligator Creek and across to Maggie Island … (and) we’re teaching them how to use public transit and things like that,” she said.

Dawn Services staff members Christina, Kayla, Wendy, Shania Gobbert with Knight Frank's Mark Fitzgerald and Dan Place. Picture: Supplied.

The thriving business is always looking to recruit more support workers to help deliver their services.

Mr Place said the building’s owner invested a significant amount of capital in upgrading the building, making it highly appealing to the tenant.

“Owners who leave their property vacant with no fit-out are finding it more difficult to transact compared to those who adopt a progressive and forward-thinking approach to meet tenant demands,” Mr Place said.

For more information, visit: www.dawnservices.com.au.

DAWN Services offers its clients the opportunity to get out into the outdoors, like this recent trip to Magnetic Island. Picture: Supplied.

Originally published as Diverse Abilities Wellbeing Network broadens support offering after CBD expansion