See how you can transform lives

David - Put a smile on his mum’s face

David came to BSL with an intellectual disability and anxiety.

David was struggling with socialising and meeting new people and lacked independent daily living skills. He suffered severe separation anxiety when his mum Sue was not there.

Since working with his BSL Local Area Coordinator to access supports, David has gained confidence and regularly participates in exercise classes. He now cooks his own meals and gets out and about in his neighbourhood.

David is no longer frightened of what his future holds. His mum Sue says, “it makes my heart smile”.

Rita - Built work skills and confidence

Rita moved to Australia from New Zealand in 2020 because of family violence and childhood trauma. She was not eligible for Centrelink payments and was supported by a minimal allowance from her sister.

When Rita was first referred to BSL, she wasn’t taking part in education or employment, lacked confidence and spent a lot of time gaming. But after joining BSL’s Building Youth Pathways program working with a local manufacturer, Rita impressed the managers so much she was immediately offered a role in general assembly.

She has since had three managers all wanting her to work on their line. 

Now mentoring new starters, Rita is grateful for the support she has received at BSL. Before that, she says, “I had no idea how to find or get a job”. Now, she is helping others find their way in the workforce.

Isra’a – Gained secure work as a doctor

“We came here as a refugee. Originally, I'm from Iraq. I graduated from Medical College in Baghdad University in 1992, and I was working as a General Practitioner doctor in Iraq until 2013. Then I escaped from Iraq because of the violence.”

After leaving Iraq Isra’a worked in Jordan for four years with Doctors without Borders on a reconstructive surgery project for war wounded people. She immigrated to Australia in 2018 and cared for her mother before BSL’s employment networks helped Isra’a gain work as a bicultural worker in a hospital. Within 12 months she was offered work as a doctor. Once fully registered Isra’a will complete her mandatory training pathway here in Australia to be a practicing General Practitioner. This takes about three to five years.

“When you try to join any job, they ask you about Australian experience and how we can find this Australian experience and we don't have a job. BSL made a very good difference for my life because I was lost.

I don't know what to do. I don't know how to put my first step, you know, as a doctor in Australia. So, when they give me this opportunity to work within the same field, it's like, you know, it's like a gift.”