Pictured: Stacey Small, Monica Brooks, Olivia Brown and Nicole Walker at PlayConnect+ Sunnybank where Olivia volunteers as a facilitator.
Olivia joined in Sunnybank PlayConnect+ alongside Community Development Officer and Facilitator Nicole Walker as part of the All Abilities Job Match program, delivered in partnership with the Queenslanders with Disability Network. The initiative provided a 12-week paid role as an Inclusion Helper, supporting inclusive play experiences for children and families.
Nicole said Olivia is a wonderful addition to the team at Sunnybank PlayConnect+ and is a wonderful role model for both the children and families.
“Olivia has the ideal qualities of gentleness, kindness and fun, plus a terrific smile that the children love.”“It feels good that Play Matters Australia is demonstrating to the playgroup families that as an organisation we genuinely care about inclusion – of their children – as well as of adults like Olivia in an employment capacity.”
Upon graduating from the program, Olivia shared how meaningful it was to be paid and recognised for her contributions as part of a team.
I have been doing alphabet letters and rice at playgroup and today I did the songs.
Olivia also spoke about the importance of support from family and mentors.
Having my family help me and support me, they always help me. It’s important I have an opportunity like everybody else.
One of Olivia’s long-time mentors and supporters is Stacey Small, who has worked alongside Olivia for almost a decade. With a background in early childhood education, Stacey first supported Olivia as an allied health assistant helping her build self-care and everyday skills.
Stacey has nurtured Olivia’s passion for early childhood education, offering tailored learning opportunities such as webinars and professional development workshops.
TAFE is not something that was going to be flexible enough for us, so I would provide opportunities for learning and development that suited us – webinars and professional development opportunities.
Together with Olivia’s mother Sonia, Stacey and Olivia now co-run a playgroup in Tarragindi every Monday – where Olivia proudly takes the lead.
Olivia is the boss. She has a job checklist – she knows what is expected – turning on the lights, opening windows, setting out activities, meeting and greeting the families. We work together on planning the activities and Olivia tells me what she wants and takes ownership of the play experience.
Stacey shared Olivia truly thrives in the playgroup environment, especially when the new babies join in.
Pictured: Olivia with Oscar (age 2) at Sunnybank PlayConnect+ playgroup.
On completion of the All Abilities Job Match work, Play Matters offered Olivia a casual paid position as a relief Play Helper. Olivia undertakes this role when other Play Helper staff are on leave.
When not engaged in paid work, Olivia makes a choice each week whether to join in as a volunteer at Sunnybank PlayConnect+.
Stacey said even though Olivia has a choice not to attend on Wednesday’s now, she still gives her time freely to support and volunteer.
Every Wednesday we can fill that time with something else but Monday rolls around and Olivia is already talking about Wednesday playgroup – it’s part of her routine and she loves it.
Stacey reflected on Play Matters approach to inclusion and diversity in their workforce and shared the following insights.
It’s been the best collaboration we have seen; we are all working together – it’s this nice gel. It’s not just highlighting the word inclusion, it’s showing and doing and being responsive.
You can read more about the All-Abilities Job Match project HERE.
Olivia volunteers to run her community playgroup at Tarragindi on Monday's during school terms. You can find out more about the playgroup HERE.
Olivia is also a regular volunteer at PlayConnect+ Sunnybank HERE.