Our History

In November 1960 a number of families met and shared their concerns about the lack of recognition of the needs of their children with a disability for an education and opportunities for life. This event marked the formation of Mai-Wel. The challenge to remove the discrimination experienced by people with a disability and their carers is as strong a motive today as it has been throughout the past 48 years.

Parents and friends established a school, staff were found and a feeling of importance, achievement and of community acceptance of people with a disability was created.

The original school buildings, that still stand today in South Street Telarah, were bought from the Greta Army Camp, three huts for three hundred pounds. Maitland Lions Club members, with help from the Angel Inn Social Club and the Telarah Bachelor Boys painted the buildings. Parents paid fees of one pound per child per week. These fees paid the wages of the teachers. It was not until February 1977 that the school was passed on to the Department of Education and became the responsibility of the State Government.

A tireless campaign of community support and funds has been a hallmark of the Organisation.

In 1967 the Mai-Wel Committee again approached the local community of Maitland, appealing for assistance to allow them to address the next stage in these young people‘s lives, when the time came for them to leave school.

Walkathons became one method by which funds were raised. These funds were used to create suitable work options for these young people with a disability.

The Mai-Wel Industries Sheltered Workshop was set-up with the aim of aligning the workplace as much as possible to the general workforce. The goal was to provide reward for labour, pride in manufacture and a sense of belonging within the group. The Mai-Wel Industries, Sheltered Workshop was built as a modern facility originally accommodating 65 people, with option for future extensions, which could offer a capacity for 75-100 people.

Mai-Wel Industries was established in 1972 as a sheltered workshop.

Attendance at the workshop depended on available public transport, which did not meet the requirements of all prospective supported employees.

Again the Organisation responded and extended the benefits of sheltered employment to more people living within the Hunter Region by providing out of home accommodation.

Funds were raised and the Mai-Wel hostel was built on the South Street site, adjacent to the workshop. The hostel accommodation enabled people who were previously denied access to daily employment by distance or lack of suitable transport, to have a job.

In July 1993 Mai-Wel became an independent company, Mai-Wel Limited, and in July 1994 the service submitted a Transition Plan to the Federal Department of Health and Family Services for upgrading to the highest level of compliance with the Disability Services Standards.

In 1994 and early 1995 Mai-Wel devolved from a centre based sheltered workshop into separate business services located throughout the community.

These businesses grew and a range of new programs, and housing options were made available. The Mai-Wel residents had the opportunity to choose from a range of flexible accommodation models.

In 1996 Mai-Wel was successful in the application for funding from the Family and Community Services Department (now known as the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs) to provide services to a broader range of people with disabilities through the provision of Open Employment Services. The new division, Hunter LabourForce Solutions was established in 1994.

The success of the Open Employment program resulted in an increase in recurrent funding which was made available in 1997 and 1998.

In 1997 Mai-Wel won accreditation to provide the Post School Options Program funded by the Ageing and Disability Department (now known as the Department of Ageing, Disability and HomeCare).

The success and expansion of each of these programs resulted in the need to relocate to larger premises. The Community Programs Division was established in refurbished premises at 282 High Street Maitland. The Employment Program was accommodated in professional offices at the front of the building. The rear section was fitted out with a living skills and training area to accommodate the ATLAS / Post School Options Program.

This division provides a variety of fee for service Programs, training and services for clients referred by a number of different sources including local high schools, Department of Ageing, Disability and HomeCare, Probation and Parole Services and by families who require a service to support the person with a disability in their care.

Mai-Wel Management continued to respond to the needs of people with disabilities. The TASC Program (Training Access Skills in the Community) was developed to provide productive, creative and recreational opportunities for people who are ageing and who have high support needs.

 

Business Services and Open Employment

Commencing in the year 2000 Mai-Wel took a proactive approach to and became involved in a number of the initiatives of the Department Family and Community Services, which would frame the future of Disability Services funded by the Federal Government in the future.

A new Quality Assurance (QA) System for Disability Services underwent trials. Mai-Wel was one of very few Disability Organisations (only 21 services nationally) to be involved.

QA Accreditation determined eligibility for future funding for Business Services and Open Employment from the year 2004. Without the certification, ongoing or new funding would not be forthcoming.

Mai-Wel achieved QA Accreditation in August 2002, the first Business Service in New South Wales to be accredited.

Case Based Funding replaced the block grant system after a number of trials of the new funding system began in 2000. Mai-Wel’s involvement and success in the trial resulted in growth funding. A number of new supported employees to the Business Services and clients to the Open Employment Services were employed with new growth funding places.

 

Community Programs

Mai-Wel delivered Post School Options for the first year (1997) to 1 client only. Since that time there has been a steady growth of new clients to the program, which was restructured to include a wider client group.

The revised Program was renamed ATLAS/Post School Options in the year 2000.

 

New Funding in 2002

The Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care called for Expressions of Interest from organisations to deliver a number of programs to address the identified unmet needs of people with a disability, living at home.

Mai-Wel successfully tendered for two of these Programs. The programs were:-

• The Community Access and Day Programs (CAD) and
• The Accommodation Outreach Program (AcOP)

These both became operational in January 2003.

These two programs are delivered in Maitland, and the Lower and Upper Hunter, reaching as far as Murrurundi and Merriwa, Cessnock, Dungog and Port Stephens.

 

Respite Services

In March 2002, once again in response to client needs, the Mai-Wel Respite Centre was opened. This service was created to provide living skills training and quality leisure options to people living at home, particularly those living with aged carers. The Centre is on the west end of Mai-Wel lodge and has been fitted out to create a bright and welcoming environment.

The funding to fit-out the centre was provided by funds raised by the Mai-Wel Auxiliary at the retail outlet, the Mai-Wel Opportunity Shop at Rutherford shopping centre.

 

Accommodation

The accommodation services have expanded to offer a mix of models, the most recent new model is ‘shared care’. This model allows a client to live part of the week at home and the remainder of the week in the accommodation service. The client can access work or day programs through the day.

Mai-Wel has always addressed the needs of people with a disability in the community with innovative programs and services and the goal of the current Board of Directors, dedicated Volunteers, Management and Staff is to continue in that tradition.

The organisation must find strategies to further address the changing needs of supported employees, residents and clients who are ageing and in need of quality retirement options.

These strategies must ensure that each person with a disability is exposed to a service system which provides a wide variety of options which will promote the valued status and quality of life of each individual.

 

New Buildings

The expansion of services required the purchase of new buildings to house the additional staff and clients of new programs. Two buildings were purchased which were used to house athletes during the 2000 Olympics. One building is now fitted out for use by the Community Access Day Program and the other is used as a Training and Living Skills Facility.

Another property was purchased at 220 High Street, Maitland. This modern well appointed brick building was designated for used by the ATLAS Post School Options program and the Community Access and Day Programs. The building was officially opened in September 2003 by the Minister for Ageing and Disabilities – Ms Carmel Tebbutt. The building was named “The Warby Centre” in recognition of the years of work and devotion to Mai-Wel by members Gordon and Nola Warby.

 

Reaccreditation as a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Mai-Wel became reaccredited as a Registered Training Organisation in 2004. This has enabled the organisation to offer its staff and others, accredited training in Certificate III and IV Disability Work. A large number of staff embraced the opportunity of completing an in-house Traineeship in Certificate IV Disability Work.

Application to vary the scope of training provided was completed in 2004 which increased the number of courses offered to include:- Cert IV Frontline Management, Certificates III and IV Aged Care, Certificates I and II General Construction, Certificate II Engineering and Production and Certificate I Engineering.

 

Evolution in ATLAS Programs

During 2004, the Department of Ageing Disability and Home Care restructured the ATLAS programs and developed two new groups catering for the specific needs of the participants.

Transition to Work was designed for young people who had been assessed as ready to seek employment, and the Community Participation Program was designed for young people who were seeking employment.

 

Building Upgrade

The Mai-Wel Administration Building benefited from a major upgrade and expansion during the latter part of 2004. This upgrade saw the building enlarged to accommodate five new offices, reception and administrative staff areas, new staff lunch room, new training room and a re-fit of the older bathrooms and employee lunchroom. In addition to this a large workroom and awning / carport were built onto the back of the building to accommodate the Enterprise Group.

 

NSW Carers Program –“Life Matters – Live Now, Plan for Later” – May 2006

An innovative program designed by Mai-Wel to provide much needed support and educational opportunities for carers with long term caring responsibilities for adults with a disability. This program was enthusiastically received by carers who enjoyed a wide variety of activities and training which included:- Positive Self Identify, Challenging Behaviours, Dealing with Professionals, Negotiating Services and Life Stages & Sexuality.

 

New Employment Program – “Achieve Employment” - 2006

Mai-Wel successfully tendered for a new program providing services to a different job seekers client group than previously supported. This client group are those who would be able to achieve independence within two years. A branch of Hunter LabourForce Solutions, Achieve Employment staff work enthusiastically assisting clients with job search, assessments, training and post placement support.

 

Nature of Corporation/ Current Status

Mai-Wel Limited is a Public Company Limited by Guarantee – Incorporated on 24 June 1993.

Prior to incorporation the organisation was the Maitland Branch of the Challenge Foundation of NSW.