Amber given green light to succeed

Before she first came to the Carinity Our House disability support centre in Toogoolawah five years ago, Amber Bennett was shy and withdrawn.

“I was very shy. I have met some lovely people at Our House who have helped me to come out of my shell,” Amber said.

Now Amber, 31, is feeling empowered by contributing to her local community as a valued volunteer.

The confidence and skills she developed at Carinity Our House has helped her to secure a position at her local Red Cross op shop.

Her role includes cutting up rags and sorting clothing and necklaces which have been donated to the shop.

“I just wanted to volunteer and work. I’m having so much fun,” said Amber, who volunteers at the shop in Toogoolawah one day each week.

Carinity Our House supports people from towns such as Kilcoy, Toogoolawah, Esk, Gatton, Laidley, Walloon and Redcliffe with in-home support, personal care, social activities, and life skills development.

“There are friendly people at Our House who help others, especially people with disabilities. I have made friends, learned to read and write better and learned fun skills like origami,” Amber said.

“They also helped and supported me when my Nanna passed away and my dad had a heart attack.”

Amber recently helped Carinity Our House secure a valuable donation from the Esk Op Shop.

“Amber told Esk Op Shop about Carinity Our House when she was shopping there and as a result we were identified as a donation recipient. Amber was understandably extremely proud of this,” Maggie Poole from Carinity Our House said.

Items purchased will be used to assist Carinity Our House’s respite and weekly group clients to gain living skills and engage in additional social activities.

For more information on Carinity Our House click here or phone 5423 0401.