The Benevolent Society is proud to support and take part in this year’s Sydney Mardi Gras and Sydney WorldPride (17 February – 5 March).
Sydney is gearing up to welcome as many as half a million visitors to celebrate WorldPride, a global LGBTQIA+ festival that has been staged since 2000.
Incorporating all the beloved Sydney Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras events, plus a broad festival offering across arts, sport, theatre, concerts, parties, First Nations programming and a human rights conference, the Sydney event marks the first time a city in the Southern Hemisphere has been chosen as host.
Embracing diversity
As an organisation, we respect the diversity of our people, clients and community.
We foster an inclusive workplace culture, value diversity and diversity of thought; and encourage our people to bring their whole selves to work.
Tamworth-based Ashley, who works as a Senior Behaviour Support Practitioner in Northern NSW and South-East Queensland, has been with The Benevolent Society for almost two years.
“I’m from Inverell originally, so I’m a Kamilaroi boy, Aboriginal heritage and I'm also in the LGBTQIA+ group,” he says. “I'm really lucky to join an organisation like this. We have other Aboriginal people that work here and other cultures as well.
“We've got people that I can identify with; I don't feel excluded. That makes an impact on the way that I help my clients because I can understand what it's like not to be the norm.
“Since joining the team, it's really opened my eyes to what a great culture a company can have,” Ashley says. “The whole company actually lives by these values, which I really, really appreciate.”
Ashley pictured with client Jordan and his mum Lisa.
Changing Lives
Working with us has not only been a positive experience for Ashley but it’s also been life-changing for his clients.
“I assist clients to improve their life and their wellbeing by reducing behaviours of concern, and also reducing and eliminating the use of restrictive practice,” he says. “So I work with a really broad range of clients. I think my youngest on my caseload at the moment is four years old. I think the oldest is in his 70s now.
“What I'll do is I'll go in, I'll meet the client, I'll meet their stakeholders or their formal and informal supports, I'll get a big picture about them. And then from there I'll try to build their skills or implement strategies and therapies to improve their skillsets, so they don't have to engage in those behaviors anymore.”
For those visiting or living in Sydney, come and show your support by celebrating alongside the LGBTIQA+ community and visiting our stall on Mardi Gras Fair Day this Sunday February 19 at Victoria Park (Parramatta Road, Broadway) from 10am to 9pm.
Our specialist teams from across the organisation (Fostering Young Lives, Aged Care, Carer Gateway, Disability and Disability Gateway) will be there to provide information about our services to the thousands of attendees on the day.
For more information on The Benevolent Society, call 1800 236 762.