Life Without Barriers staff and the people we support came together to celebrate the end of 2024.
Image: Two photos of participants with their Christmas artwork.
This holiday season, moments of joy and connection were shared as Life Without Barriers staff and the people we support came together to celebrate the festivities as 2024 draws to a close.
Victorian Christmas Celebration
Our Victorian colleagues, carers, children, and young people gathered to celebrate with a day filled with fun activities, including craft stations, a photo booth, carnival games, and face painting.
A major highlight was the reptile encounter, where everyone showed curiosity and bravery as they interacted with animals, insects, and reptiles, many even holding or petting them. Santa also made a surprise visit to hand out gifts generously donated by Total Beauty Network.
Image: Two photos of individuals taking part in the reptile encounter.
One of our carers, Wash, took on the role of Santa for the day, and it was heart warming to see the joy on the young people's faces as they approached Santa to receive their presents.
The event was also a lovely opportunity for new carers to connect and for familiar faces to catch up. The event was a testament to the incredible dedication and love that carers bring to their roles.
"We had an amazing day and the gifts were amazing! The children loved the food and presents. Thank you for a wonderful event," shared one foster carer.
Another carer expressed their gratitude, saying, "The catering was very generous. There was a great presence of Life Without Barriers staff to be able to catch up with everyone to close out the year. Thank you for making the time to be there on the weekend!"
Image: Two photos of Santa and his helper handing out presents.
The surprise gifts from Santa were particularly touching for our new carers, who were not expecting such generosity.
"Thank you so much for the present! We were really happy and surprised about this generosity!" one carer remarked.
The joy and appreciation from the carers were palpable, and it was clear that these small gestures made a significant impact.
This event, and the stories shared, highlight the vital role that carers play in our community. A big thank you to our carers for joining us to celebrate and to all of Santa’s helpers for making the day so special!
Image: A group of people wearing festive clothing and holding up accessories in the photo booth.
Supported Independent Living Christmas Decorating Competition
The festive spirit was alive and well in our Alice Springs Supported Independent Living homes this year as we held a Christmas decorating competition. There was a lot of creativity from everyone involved - from twinkling trees to playful decorations, each home had its own unique festive touch.
Kenny and his amazing support team were crowned the winners of the competition. Their festive wonderland was a hit, spreading joy and Christmas cheer throughout the house. And let’s not overlook the clever Elf on the Shelf, keeping a watchful eye on the medication cupboard—what a fantastic touch!
Special mention to the runners up, Isaac and his support team. Isaac’s setup was dazzling, filled with colourful lights and holiday magic.
Thank you to everyone who participated and made this competition a success. Your creativity and teamwork brought so much joy to the season.
Image: Collage of photos featuring the homes decorated by the people we support.
Festive fun at Kings Park!
Participants and staff from our Supported Independent Living and Lifestyle services came together for a fantastic Christmas party at the beautiful Kings Park in Perth. The event was filled with holiday cheer as everyone shared laughs, sang along to Christmas music, enjoyed delicious food, and played exciting games.
The party sparkled with tinsel, decorations, and plenty of Christmas spirit, bringing everyone closer together during the festive season.
Image: Collage of photos featuring Life Without Barriers staff and the people we support celebrating at Kings Park.
Camden Christmas Festival
Life Without Barriers shared in the Christmas cheer at the Camden Christmas Festival.
The festival offered a fun mix of activities for the whole family, including a tree lighting ceremony and a chance to meet Santa Clause. Life Without Barriers held a community stall with free Christmas themed badge making. Whilst the children designed their Christmas badges, we had great conversations with community members about foster care. The Christmas badges were a real hit and in particular, the Christmas Dinosaur was a star!
Image: Life Without Barriers staff and carers hosting a stall at the Camden Christmas Festival.
Northern Territory Christmas Celebrations
In the Northern Territory, our North and South teams hosted Christmas celebrations with the people we support, bringing everyone together to share joy, laughter, and delicious food. The events were wonderful gatherings where staff had worked hard to ensure that the environments met everyone's individual needs.
In Alice Springs, we took over Club Eastside for a festive gathering, while the Darwin Day Program hosted a fantastic party. The dance floors were the highlight of both events, with the people we support and staff all joining in the fun and having a dance!
Image: Collage of photos featuring Life Without Barriers staff and the people we support celebrating in the Northern Territory.
As the year draws to a close, we thank you for being part of our journey in 2024. We wish you a joyful holiday season and look forward to sharing more stories with you in 2025.
