in RWL in recent times
accommodation services to the RWL residents on a voluntary basis .. Providing such property and tenancy services ourselves proved to be of benefit to the RWL residents , as they were arranged locally at lower cost . Consequently the rent was able to be reduced while providing additional facilities and better accountability .
These new arrangements have not been without their issues , as there is now divided responsibility for the provision of services received by RWL residents . The RWL Management Committee , residents and family members and DAACS have had to work hard to ensure as much coordination of these services as possible , so as to ensure the welfare of residents . This issue will be addressed further in a forthcoming review of RWL .
Overall , the NDIS has meant that the residents are receiving many more services across a range of areas than previously , but the individualistic fee-for-service structure of the NDIS means that it is difficult to provide communal services like the common support services received by RWL residents .
And one of the prime objectives in establishing RWL , of providing a supportive intentional community which helps the residents to flourish , is not facilitated by the NDIS . The support of the RWL community as a community comes from non NDIS-funded services such as the work of the live-in resident coordinators and the work of St Margaret ’ s volunteers detailed in the previous article .
There , inevitably , will be further changes . Right now , one room is vacant as long-term resident Damian has moved out , so there will be a new resident in the mix . But through all the changes , the RWL residents and family members and the St Margaret ’ s community will work together to ensure that the Ross Walker Lodge family continues to flourish .
- John Goss
Damian Photo by Michelle Baker
St Margaret ’ s News 35 RWL Special Issue