Ellen Witzlsperger
that all the services provided , staff and resources have remained the same .
“ Stronger Together Foundation provides the same services for families , just a different name and location . We still have the same values , support and purpose but now we are able to grow and develop as a separate entity to help our community .”
Stronger Together offers a variety of services , from individual , family focus therapy where the therapists visit you at home , to group therapy and workshops for kids during school holidays . One of the newer services Stronger Together is providing is the SibWorks program , where siblings of children with a disability or neurodiversity can go to a fun school holiday program .
At the program they will meet other siblings who are in a similar situation to them , gain understanding about their brother or siters disability and develop ways to deal with the tricky feelings which can come up when you have a family member with additional needs .
While they settle into their new building Ellen and her team will be keeping services as they are , but they will be working towards having more options for the community to come together with different events and projects in the future .
Ellen is passionate about inclusion and has been working with the Hills Council to establish the council ’ s first disability and
inclusion reference group to ensure that council events are inclusive for those in our community with a disability . This could be making large events more accessible or having a sensory tent available at events , so people are able to find a quiet spot to deal with overwhelm .
“ The reference group is a way to help everyone feel valued by raising the awareness of inclusion which is a really big priority for myself and the organisation . Ensuring everyone has capacity to access big events in a supported way .”
It ’ s this drive which saw Ellen win Citizen of the Year Award from the Council at Australia Day this year and Stronger Together to be awarded Community Group of the Year on the same day .
I asked Ellen how she felt about this double win .
“ When I was announced as the winner of Citizen of the Year 2024 , it was one of those imposter syndrome moments . We have so many people doing so much in our community , so many hidden people who don ’ t get recognition . I was extremely humbled by the council for awarding us Community Group of the Year because of the work we are doing and impact we are having on the space of inclusion .”
Stronger Together Foundation will have the official opening of its new building this month and on August 31 st it will be holding its annual Stronger Together Conference at Castle Hill RSL . The
Ellen won Citizen of the Year award at this year ’ s Australia Day celebrations .
conference aims to bring together parents and carers of children with disabilities and the expo part of the conference provides business owners a place to show their services and products and Ellen is keen for business people with disabilities to be part of the exhibition , living up to their ideals of having more inclusive opportunities in the community .
If you are interested in going to the
Stronger Together Conference their website has the full details of the guest speakers , who include Tamsin Colley and Kylie Scott , and how to book a table at the expo if you have a business . The tickets for the conference are an affordable $ 20 per person , which includes morning tea and lunch and you can book them at www . strongertogether-conference . raisely . com .
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THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au ISSUE 108 // JUNE 2024 7