LiveBetter provides Supported Independent Living services to residents in Home in Place managed properties across Orange, Bathurst, Dubbo and Broken Hill. Their message to clients is “Live each day on your terms” because resident independence and happiness come first. LiveBetter’s dedicated staff have heart. They encourage residents to make the house their home, to do things they love. They foster connection with family and friends and building skills and capacity in residents.

LiveBetter also runs Café Connect in Orange. The social enterprise provides full-time employment and work experience to people with a disability.

LiveBetter Vocational Services Support Leader Callan says the opportunities range from cooking in the commercial kitchen facilities to front of house operations, including, barista coffee making, and customer facing service roles.

Our SDA Relations Officer Sarah was invited to call in and meet staff and the clients who work there while doing property inspections in Orange.

“I had a beautiful lunch and coffee which was well needed on such a chilly winters day,” Sarah says.

“I recommend the toasted chicken wrap. It was an absolute pleasure to meet staff member’s Rosie and Bonny”.

Supervisor Rosie has been with Café Connect for four years. She says it is nice to be doing something that she loves and teaching hospitality to others.

Bonny is a Livebetter client who loves working at the café. Cleaning, clearing the tables and to stocking the drink fridge are some of her favourite tasks. In her spare time Bonny loves spending time with her friends, listening to music (her favourite artist is Luke Bryant) and going to Troop.