Disability and Youth Support

21/10/2026

One of the workplace skills we love seeing develop is initiative.

Sometimes that means noticing something that needs to be done without being asked.

A messy area. Stock that needs sorting. A display that could be improved. A task that needs finishing.

Recognising the need and taking action shows an important shift from:

“What do I need to do?”

to

“What can I do to help?”

That mindset can make a big difference in the workplace. 💪

19/10/2026

Finding a job can be challenging - and knowing what support is available can make the process easier to navigate.

JobAccess provides information and support for people with disability looking for work, as well as information about workplace adjustments, employment services and workplace rights and responsibilities.

At SLES, part of building independence is learning where to find reliable information and how to advocate for what you need.

🔎 JobAccess: https://jobaccess.gov.au/

Saved items are specific to your device (eg: mobile phone, tablet, computer) and the web browser (eg: Chrome, Edge, etc).

15/10/2026

Volunteering can be a fantastic way to develop workplace skills while contributing to the community.

Whether it’s sorting items, completing stock runs, following instructions, working alongside others or taking responsibility for a task, participants are developing skills that transfer directly into employment.

Volunteering gives people the opportunity to practise reliability, communication, teamwork, organisation and responsibility in a real environment.

And sometimes there are a few bonus cuddles along the way! 🐱💜

13/10/2026

Work doesn’t always go exactly to plan.

Maybe something gets dropped. A customer asks an unexpected question. Instructions aren’t immediately clear. You run out of something you need.

Being workplace-ready isn’t about knowing exactly what to do in every situation.

It’s also about learning how to:

➡️ Stay calm
➡️ Think through the problem
➡️ Ask for help when needed
➡️ Communicate clearly
➡️ Look for a solution

These are skills we can practise in everyday SLES activities - long before they’re needed in a workplace. 💪

11/10/2026

Customer service. Cash handling. Stock management. Communication. Organisation. Problem-solving.

There’s a lot of learning that can happen in a retail environment!

Through practical opportunities at UpLoved, participants can develop these skills while experiencing what it’s like to work as part of a real business.

From preparing stock to interacting with customers, every task provides another opportunity to build confidence and workplace experience. 💜

10/10/2026

🌏💚 World Mental Health Day

Mental health matters - every day.

Today is a reminder to check in with yourself, check in with the people around you, and remember that it’s okay to ask for support when you need it.

A conversation, a kind word, or simply letting someone know you’re there can make a difference.

Your wellbeing matters. 💚

09/10/2026

Trying something new can feel uncomfortable.

It might be walking into an unfamiliar workplace, making a phone call, speaking with someone new, attending an event or simply doing something outside of our usual routine.

At DAYS, we talk about recognising that discomfort without automatically letting it stop us.

Because sometimes:

Uncomfortable ≠ impossible.

Trying, reflecting and having another go can be an important part of building confidence and independence. 🌱

07/10/2026

Sometimes a small problem can make a big difference.

Something as simple as a price tag that is difficult to read can affect how easily a customer understands a product.

One of our participants noticed this issue and took the initiative to fix it.

It might seem like a small task, but it demonstrates some important workplace skills:

💡 Attention to detail
💡 Initiative
💡 Problem-solving
💡 Customer awareness

Workplace readiness is often built through these little moments. 💜

05/10/2026

A budget is more than just numbers 💰

Understanding where your money goes is an important part of becoming more independent.

Our SLES sessions have included conversations around the cost of living, comparing prices, planning meals, making purchasing decisions and understanding how small choices can add up.

One resource we’ve explored is the MoneySmart Budget Planner, which can help people see where their money is going and plan ahead.

💡 Learning how to manage money is a life skill that can make a real difference.

Our free online budget planner helps you track, plan and prioritise where your money is going.

03/10/2026

A resume might tell an employer where you’ve worked or studied.

But what really brings that experience to life are the examples behind it.

For example:

Experience: Volunteering
Skill: Teamwork
Example: Worked alongside volunteers, followed instructions and completed shared tasks.

Experience: Retail
Skill: Customer service
Example: Served customers, handled transactions and helped answer questions.

At SLES, we work on recognising the skills hidden inside everyday experiences - because you may have more experience than you realise. 💜