Stuart is such a happy go lucky man. It is a pleasure to be around him. He gets along with everyone. Always positive and friendly. He loves dirt bikes and when he is not watching them on TV he has an old bike which he tinkers with in his spare time.

Stuart has an intellectual disability and some mental health issues. Unfortunately, his extreme generosity and friendliness can make him vulnerable and therefore he requires support to access the community.

Stuart and his family came to visit HWNS Summerland House in Alstonville for a vacation together a few years back.

It was then that he fell in love with the place and decided that this was the place where he wanted to live. When his parents passed away recently his yearning to be a part of the Summerland family grew even more.

Stuart tried a group home arrangement in Port Macquarie but that didn’t work out. He moved in with his sister-in-law for a while but what Stuart really needed was a permanent living situation with professional care and support to access the community. Fortunately, he became eligible for emergency response funding and it was a stroke of luck when Stuart was placed to live in the emergency respite centre at Summerland House.

When he first arrived he was anxious and unsure. It wasn’t long though before Stuart started to relax and let his true and open personality emerge once again.

Stuart really started to shine when he was given the opportunity to gain work experience in the fruit packing shed. He is very enthusiastic about his job and works really hard. He is now one of the best workers and his friendly persona is thriving, as he enjoys meeting with his co-workers at the café for a catch up and chat. Stuart has also started a vegie garden for everyone to share.

Stuart is so happy now. He has a job, friends and the opportunity to go on social outings. Stuart is also learning a variety of new tasks which have set him on the road to reaching his goal to live independently with minimal support.