Case Studies

Lee's Journey: Empowering Personal and Professional Transformation

Through the Customised Employment process, Lee has developed into a successful entrepreneur and community advocate. Lee's story highlights the power of person-centred supports and digital connectivity in fostering personal growth, skill development, and community engagement.

Lee's journey began when she encountered a presentation on Customized Employment. Lee's curiosity was piqued due to her desire to find meaningful activities in her remote hometown, Geraldton, Western Australia. Due to an absence of Customised Employment practitioners in Geraldton, Lee started her employment journey via regular video calls with a Customised Employment advisor.

The initial phase, discovery, involved understanding Lee's interests, aspirations, and challenges. Lee found the activities engaging at first, but as time went on, she faced difficulties in maintaining momentum without on-the-ground supports to keep her on track. Overwhelmed by this challenge, Lee briefly diverted her focus to explore work in open employment. A stint in a retail environment reinforced Lee's desire to find meaningful work and she soon returned to her discovery journey, stronger and more determined.

During this phase, it became evident that Lee had a profound passion for art, particularly working with felt. She fondly recalled a project from her school days, where she had created a felt bag that garnered admiration. Lee was paired with local mentors who had the experience needed to support her to trial whether this could become a suitable self-employment pathway. Guided by her Advisor, who started making bi-monthly trips to Geraldton to complement video calls, they encouraged her to explore the potential of combining her artistic skills with her love for the environment. This led to the creation of unique felted items that incorporated repurposed materials.

Through hands-on activities, Lee and her mentors identified areas needing capacity building, such as her sewing skills. Lee actively honed her skills, including her product development and presentation skills. Lee conducted a feasibility study to test her ideas and products in real-world scenarios, then established her microenterprise Felt Girl, focusing on unique felted jewellery and jackets. With a newfound purpose, Lee started seeking markets and events to showcase her creations and establish her business and profile as a young entrepreneur. She continues to develop her skills and refine her products, designing accessories and mixed media art pieces, as well as clothing collections fit for a runway.

As time went on, it became clear that Lee had a strong desire to advocate for other young people with disability to ensure they had access to opportunities to do what they loved (something lacking in regional WA). Lee envisioned a hub space in Geraldton that would offer opportunities, skill-building, and networking for others like her. Lee started participating in local group advisory meetings, building her advocacy skills and expanding her network, before pioneering her own advisory group to benefit other young people in her community.

Through the customised employment process, Lee has built many skills and had some significant successes:

• Lee owns and operates her own thriving microenterprise, having built her business knowledge, digital literacy, and capacity to work for longer periods.
• Lee has confidently presented her collection of unique designs on runways.
• Lee has been accepted into Eco Fashion 2024, combining her work and passion for the environment.
• Lee has completed art studies at TAFE, enhancing her skills and knowledge.
• Lee has entered mixed-medium art competitions and exhibitions, demonstrating her creative versatility.
• Lee has progressed to joining national advisory meetings, gaining insights from others, continuing to network, and developing effective participation skills.
• Lee initiated a local youth advisory group to co-design and establish a youth market event, promoting local talent, and fostering community engagement.
• Lee engages with politicians, cabinet members, and community leaders, contributing her insights and seeking positive change.
• Lee currently leads a reference group that is working with local and state government to establish a community hub space, providing space for people with disabilities on their own discovery journeys.

Lee's journey from being uncertain what work looked like to becoming a confident entrepreneur and community advocate is a testament to the power of customised employment. Her story demonstrates how a combination of passion, continuous skill development, and the support of mentors and networks can lead to personal and professional transformation, positively impacting both individuals and their communities. As Lee continues to motivate and innovate, her journey stands as an inspiration for others to embrace change and pursue their dreams.