Tuesday 24 September: Disability provider, Lavender Co. has today announced its plans to build eight more guest houses on their Yandina property to provide a home away from home for people with disabilities.
The holistic disability provider will build eight guest cabins on their 15-acre Yandina property later this year and in early 2025. The accommodation is modelled on the success of their property in Buderim and will allow guests to stay in their own space with the support of a dedicated Lavender Co team member onsite.
“We are building on the success of our existing six properties to offer more opportunities for people in our community to have choice and control over where and how they choose to live.
Our proven model of holistic care is based on empowering guests with practical skills to live their best lives. It is our hope that we create a model that can be replicated anywhere in Australia or the world, on how disability can be done differently,” said Mike Burke, Founder of Lavender Co.
“Our mix of respite, short-term and long-term accommodation has empowered the families of our guests to return to work – sometimes for the first time in over a decade – which has obvious flow-on effects for the wellbeing of the broader community and local economy,” added Mike.
Inspired by his students whilst teaching in a local special school, Mike and his wife Simone established Lavender Co with a respite apartment back in 2018 to support families who were seeking Disability done differently for their loved one.
Fast forward to 2024 and Lavender Co. is improving the lives of people with a disability by providing home away from home and respite services with Lavender Co team members across the Sunshine Coast.
“Our 62 trained and energetic staff work across six boutique properties where guests live independently with the care they need – taking part in activities from gardening to cooking to painting and enjoying community participation of their preference,” he said.
Mike says the Sunshine Coast Council has granted conditional approval for the new properties and they are working to meet those conditions and make this accommodation a reality for future guests in the new year.
“As Mayor of the Sunshine Coast, I warmly congratulate Lavender Co. on the launch of their plans to expand their guest accommodation in Yandina,” said Mayor Natoli.
“This is a wonderful addition to our region, providing a welcoming space for guests to enjoy all that our community has to offer. Sunshine Coast Council is proud to support organisations like Lavender Co. that invest in our region to create positive experiences and enhance our thriving community, Lavender Co’s commitment to holistic care is really inspiring, and I look forward to seeing the positive benefits for the residents and their families,” added Mayor Natoli.
The Yandina property has an existing Queenslander-style home providing a home for four guests. Whilst there, guests participate in gardening activities, harvest produce from the garden, care for the chickens and prepare meals using homegrown produce. Mike says the integration of nature and daily living highlights Lavender Co.’s emphasis on providing a holistic living experience and provides a safe and calm environment for all to enjoy.
The care is funded by the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and Mike says without it, their guests would face a very different reality.
“Whilst there are changes afoot for the NDIS, the current funding helps us to have a positive impact on the lives of people living with a disability. Through the scheme Lavender Co has provided positive outcomes for people who deserve to live their best lives in a safe, supportive environment,” he added.
Members of the community are invited to attend an open day at Lavender Co.’s Buderim Community Residence property this morning where a replica of the cabins that will go into Yandina can be found. The cabin at Buderim sits next to a three-bedroom modern Queenslander home with swimming pool and surrounding trees. Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli will also attend the breakfast event where families during school holidays will take part in lawn games and face painting.
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For more information, images and a VNR please contact Heather or Jen at The Comms. People:
Jennifer Swaine | 0438952830 | jen@commspeople.au
Heather Mollins | 0412421411 | heather@commspeople.au