Local Community
Caring for a child can be tough and very challenging. While every child is a joy to their parents, families of children with a disability find simple everyday living more difficult. Financial assistance, respite care - time out and community support can make a world of difference.
The Westfield Community Program was launched in early 2008 to address these needs in our local communities. Each Westfield Centre across Australia partners with a local disability service provider to help improve the quality of life for children with disabilities and their families.
Westfield Mt Druitt encourages you to support its local community partner Lifestart.
Lifestart - Get Inspired
Lifestart provides services to families who have a child with an intellectual disability or delay in development. It strives to give each child the ‘Lifestart' to help them reach their fullest potential, while respecting their individuality, unique qualities and future contributions.
Lifestart assists families through the difficult period surrounding a child's diagnosis, and where possible, provides the required services once a diagnosis is made. It offers families a place where their child is welcomed, and where the family's goals and priorities lead the direction of the support programmes and specialist services.
The difference that Lifestart makes to families is described by mum of Malcolm*, who was diagnosed as having Autism Spectrum Disorder. "Lifestart provided us a place to go where no one cared what our son was labelled as - they cared about helping him and our family. It was the first place we found someone that would actually give us the knowledge we needed to deal with his problems. Since attending Lifestart eight months ago Malcolm* has gone from a child who would hide his face every time a person looked at him, to a child who openly smiles at most people and only occasionally covers his face."
Take action
Donate: Please donate by cheque to Lifestart Co-operative Ltd, PO Box 3277 Putney, 2112 or at any Lifestart branch. Lifestart is also grateful for any businesses that are able to support the branches with ongoing donations of goods or services.
Volunteer: Please contact Allison Watson via Lifestart Head Office on 02 9807 9700 or call your local branch to find out more.
For more information on Lifestart's programmes, services and branch locations please contact Lifestart on (02) 9807 9700.
* Name has been changed.
