In any job, there are days that feel routine, days when you tick boxes, follow plans, and go home tired. But in disability support, especially at Inclusion Tree, the work is never just a job, it’s a privilege. Sometimes, finding real value in what you do doesn’t come from a big milestone. It comes from a single moment: a laugh, a breakthrough, or a small act of trust that changes everything.
For NDIS Participants, progress doesn’t always look like a straight line. It looks like someone is trying a new food for the first time in years. It looks like a quiet “yes” after a hundred “no’s.” Those are the moments that remind our staff why they show up, day after day.
We asked two of our team members to share a moment that stopped them in their tracks and reminded them exactly why they do this work. Here’s what they said.
“JJ has a very limited range of foods that he eats. His mum fed him the same thing every day for years and years, so he isn’t open to trying new things. It’s a really bland selection too: dry toast, gold brand chick nuggets, and chips. Every single day.
When he moved into the SIL house, staff started gently trying to introduce him to new foods, or at least to get him to try them. He’s been with us for six months now.
Each Saturday, one of our staff members would bake chocolate muffins. Every time, she would ask JJ if he wanted to help. And every time, he would say, ‘No, please.’
But she kept asking. Kept trying. Week after week.
Then, out of the blue recently, she asked again, and he got up, ran out to the kitchen, and grabbed the muffin mix from the cupboard. We don’t know what changed. But he was keen to help.
He helped make the muffins. And then he actually sat down and ate them afterwards. So now we have a new food in his diet. Not the healthiest, sure, but it’s a start. And for us, that moment was everything.”
“I’m new to Support Coordination, but in my previous role as a support worker, I loved seeing how much my support made a big difference in people’s lives. Every single day, there are moments where I can see how doing what I do helps people continue living their lives the best way possible.
For some of our Participants, they wouldn’t even be able to live independently if it wasn’t for all of us support workers showing up.
Now, I’m looking forward to transferring my caring skills into a more administrative role as a Support Coordinator. Even in this short time, I can already feel how crucial this work is, keeping people engaged in life, supporting independent living, and helping improve quality of life. That’s why I do this work.”
JJ didn’t just eat a muffin, he took a step toward trusting someone new. Our other staff member reminds us that whether you’re in the kitchen or behind a desk, every role at Inclusion Tree exists for the same reason: to help Participants live a life of choice, dignity, and genuine connection.
These aren’t just “feel-good” stories. They’re proof that consistency, patience, and heart change lives, slowly, quietly and beautifully.
Moments like these don’t happen by accident. They happen because of incredible people like you, people who see value in the work, who keep showing up, and who believe that small wins are worth celebrating.
If these stories resonated with you, we’d love you to join our team.
We’re currently recruiting for several roles across support work and support coordination. Whether you’re experienced or just starting your journey in disability, if you bring care and curiosity, we’ll help you grow the rest.
Check out the jobs we’re hiring for right now on our Careers Page or send us a message to learn more.
Let’s create more of those moments, together.
We acknowledge the connections of First Nations People of Australia to the land, sea and community on which we live and work. As custodians of this sacred land we respect and acknowledge Elders, past, present and emerging.
