History of Lifestyle Connections

DECADE OF MIDDLE-AGE SPREAD: 1998 - 2007
The next decade was initially one of relative stability and slow steady
growth limited by funding and Disability Services regulations, despite
our long waiting list and approaches for support by word of mouth.
This suited our caring, family driven service as we always wished to
retain that special personal touch. The early years involved lots of
training from CRU to educate everyone about inclusion, participation
and Social Role Valorisation. Then the latter part of the decade saw
more expansion and changes.
In 1998 we moved from
Sheridan St to larger
premises in a Queenslander
at 128 Martyn St
Parramatta Park (corner
Grove and Martyn Streets).
During the first year of this
decade Helen Leafa became
Coordinator and we
supported 34 people overall
in 26 different activities at
45 venues – evidence of a responsive Service providing choice and
flexibility to the people it serves. Over the first five years of this decade
the number of Service Users at any one time fluctuated between 23
and 32, with 12 to 27 on the waiting list, and each year we supported
between 34 and 36 people in 25 to 63 different activities.
During the last five years of this decade we supported 30 to 34 people
per year in 26 to 64 different activities. At any one time we supported
27 to 30 Service Users with 28 to 50 on the waiting list. One of our
aims was that if Service Users gained full independence in their leisure
and recreation activities they would exit the Service so new people
could receive the same opportunities from our support. Several Service
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