Accommodation Support Coordinator, Kevin Smith was awarded the Excellence in Regional Support Award at the 2020 Disability Support Awards.
Kevin, a Supported Accommodation Coordinator with Far North Community Services based in Broome, was recognised for his work supporting a young Indigenous woman, Kirsten, to reconnect with her family and country after more than a decade apart.
Due to Covid-19 the awards were presented via video link from Perth and posted to the Disability Support Award Facebook page. While unfortunate we could not attend the event in person, this did not stop us celebrating Kevin’s outstanding achievement in Broome.
Kirsten’s and Kevin’s Story
Kevin travelled from the Kimberley to Perth to meet Kirsten, understand her support requirements and begin to build a relationship based on trust. He then led a team of people from multiple agencies to facilitate Kirsten’s move from Perth to Broome. Aware of Kirsten’s strong desire to visit her remote community on country, Kevin also advocated on her behalf to make this possible.
“Getting to know people and support them to be the best they can be, and live the best life they can, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work,’ he said.
The judges commended Kevin for achieving great outcomes in the challenging context of remote service delivery.
‘He showed resilience and innovation and really got to know Kirsten and what was important to her. He worked hard to establish a relationship with her family and the people that mattered to her, to make sure she could connect to country. It was a great outcome for Kirsten and her family.’
Accommodation Support Coordinator, Kevin Smith was awarded the Excellence in Regional Support Award at the 2020 Disability Support Awards.
Kevin, a Supported Accommodation Coordinator with Far North Community Services based in Broome, was recognised for his work supporting a young Indigenous woman, Kirsten, to reconnect with her family and country after more than a decade apart.
Due to Covid-19 the awards were presented via video link from Perth and posted to the Disability Support Award Facebook page. While unfortunate we could not attend the event in person, this did not stop us celebrating Kevin’s outstanding achievement in Broome.
Kirsten’s and Kevin’s Story
Kevin travelled from the Kimberley to Perth to meet Kirsten, understand her support requirements and begin to build a relationship based on trust. He then led a team of people from multiple agencies to facilitate Kirsten’s move from Perth to Broome. Aware of Kirsten’s strong desire to visit her remote community on country, Kevin also advocated on her behalf to make this possible.
“Getting to know people and support them to be the best they can be, and live the best life they can, is one of the most rewarding aspects of my work,’ he said.
The judges commended Kevin for achieving great outcomes in the challenging context of remote service delivery.
‘He showed resilience and innovation and really got to know Kirsten and what was important to her. He worked hard to establish a relationship with her family and the people that mattered to her, to make sure she could connect to country. It was a great outcome for Kirsten and her family.’