Access to the Quest for Life Foundation’s services has been simplified for people who are National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) participants, with seven categories of registration now available to potential participants of our residential programs.

In early 2022 Quest Program Relations Manager Candice Piper and General Manager Mary-Jane Wardrop undertook an NDIS certification audit to ensure our services are available to more NDIS participants and increase the number of support packages offered.

Registration groups now available to NDIS participants:

• 0106 Assist-Life Stage Transition, Transition
• 0115 Daily Tasks/Shared living
• 0117 Development Life Skills
• 0125 Participate Community
• 0128 Therapeutic Supports
• 0126 Exercise Physiology and Physical Wellbeing activities
• 0136 Group/Centre Activities

“We already welcome NDIS participants into our programs – it’s pretty rare that we don’t have at least one NDIS participant on a program – but this will mean that we will be able to offer our services to more and more people, and more and more people will be able to access them in their support packages,” Candice said.

The change will also mean Quest’s programs intake team will be able to focus less on logistical matters like payment collection and more on the individual reasons people seek the foundation’s support.

“We’re finding that a large number of the people who are living with psychosocial disability are living with complex PTSD, and as a specialised trauma care provider we knew that we wanted to give more access to our programs to those people.”

A better quality of life

There are around 4.3 million Australians who have a disability. Within the next five years, the NDIS will provide more than $22 billion in funding a year to an estimated 500,000 Australians who have permanent and significant disability. For many people, it will be the first time they receive the disability support they need.

Quest Founder and CEO, Petrea King said she is delighted to be able to welcome so many more people into 5-day residential programs at the Quest for Life Centre in Bundanoon, NSW.

“We know many people under the NDIS have written Quest into their care plans so that they can come once every 6 months or once a year for a ‘top up’ to continue their personal growth,” Petrea said.

Candice – who is also currently undertaking postgraduate studies in mental health alongside her role at Quest – said her work with NDIS recipients had given her a much deeper knowledge of the challenges faced by the many Australians who navigate the world with a disability, and a greater appreciation of the Scheme itself.

“I’ve met so many participants whose quality of life and agency over their lives is greatly improved by being involved with the NDIS. They’re now able to engage in services that they find useful and meaningful. Having agency and choice over what’s important to each of us is essential for our peace of mind.”

Healing trauma

It’s important not to underestimate how positive outcomes experienced by people who benefit from programs like those at Quest create a ‘ripple effect’ out into wider communities, Candice said.

“I think about things I’ve been looking at in my studies like intergenerational trauma. When you look at the community wide impact of long term and complex mental health issues, it’s not just the person themselves they’re impacting, it’s also impacting their partner, children, extended family members and their communities.

“It could be their kids, their wife, their brother, their support worker. There’s always a ripple effect. That ripple effect will either impact in a positive or negative way depending on whether the individual has resolved their trauma.”

The positive effects of healing trauma have a profoundly beneficial impact for individuals, their families and the wider society.

“The ripple effect of that is felt on a community level. When an individual finds healing and is at peace with their past, it contributes to overall community wellness,” Candice said.

“The more people who feel valued and skilled-up to manage their challenges, the better our society becomes.”

Candice said the Quest programs team is ready to take calls now from anyone with enquiries regarding access to Quest programs through NDIS funding. You’re encouraged to get in touch by phone, email or via the website.

“This funding support is available for people wanting to try our programs for the first time or, they can build attending a program at Quest into their support packages.

“If it’s something you’re aiming to do and your current plan doesn’t have that capacity, when you go for a review and ask for additional services to be added, you can ask for funding to be built in to attend one of our programs.

“It doesn’t have to be something that you’re ready to do right now, we’re happy to support you in moving towards getting that funding.”

How do Quest program’s help NDIS participants?

We encourage NDIS participants to call Quest directly on 1300 941 488. Our Programs team are ready to answer any questions you might have about attending a program, and/or they can help you decide which programs would best suit your individual circumstances.

Our 5-day residential programs help participants to:

• pursue their goals, objectives, and aspirations
• increase their independence
• increase community and workplace participation, and
• manage difficult emotions more effectively
• learn conflict resolution skills
• understand the importance of sleep, nutrition and exercise
• develop their capacity to actively take part in the community.

Quest for Life Provider Details

NDIS Provider Number: 4050004464

Learn more about Quest for Life’s Residential Programs