1985 - present

WCLP was established in 1985 by a group of local Waverley families, who were concerned for the future of their children with an intellectual disability. They identified the need for a service to provide accommodation and skills support for their children and approached Waverley Council for assistance. Waverley Community Living Program was soon established becoming an NDIS provider in 2017.  

WCLP accommodations are located in close proximity to one another allowing participants to connect with each other and share experiences. The goal is to promote social inclusion for participants and to increase their level of independence and community participation.

WCLP participants are adults with a mild intellectual disability, who have been living in the family home and need to get ready and ultimately move into their own home.

WCLP provides in-home support to participants living in various accommodation arrangements such as properties owned by Waverley Council, privately owned property, private rental and public/community housing.

Participants are given opportunities to explore creative and recreational pursuits such as film, photography, arts and craft, health and wellbeing to build self-esteem and confidence. The ‘Our Vision for Inclusion documentary’ showcases WCLP participants addressing topics such as bullying, employment, relationships and social stigma faced by people with disability through a co design group project. Participants are often keen to learn skills to plan and hold their own events – such as the successful Bondi Boogie dance party which was held at the Bondi Pavilion.

The program has continued to evolve over the past decades, developing innovative approaches and responding in a flexible way to the changing needs of participants, the community, and the disability sector in general.

In setting up independent living, WCLP ensures participants are actively involved in making decisions that affect their lives and have a say in determining the kind and level of support they want and require.

For more than 37 years, Waverley Council has been committed to providing person-centred services to people with an intellectual disability enabling them to live in a home of their own and be valued members of the community.  

Images courtesy Waverley Community Living Program.