When Lisa joined Endeavour Foundation in December 2025, she had a clear goal in mind.
She wanted to work in a café.
With experience as a kitchen hand and in retail, it felt like the right fit. But finding a job had not been easy, and over time, her confidence had taken a hit.
“I was scared because it was something different I have not done before,” Lisa said.
Lisa began working closely with her Career Development Advisor (CDA), Milaney Buller, through Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA), to explore her options.
IEA supports people with disability to build skills, find jobs and succeed in the workplace.
Together, they looked beyond job titles and focused on Lisa’s strengths.
During one conversation, Lisa shared that she regularly volunteered at her local church, helping with cleaning and setting up for services.
What Lisa saw as “just helping out,” Milaney recognised as valuable, real-world experience.
“As Lisa’s CDA, it was her willingness to give things a go and recognise the value of her strengths that really opened the door for her,” Milaney said.
These skills were added to Lisa’s resume, giving her a fresh perspective on what she could offer an employer.
To help Lisa build confidence and develop new skills, Milaney suggested she enrol in the Café Creations Course.
This four-week program gave Lisa hands-on experience in hospitality, cleaning and coffee-making.
It also gave her something more important, a chance to step outside her comfort zone in a supportive environment.
During the course, Lisa’s confidence began to grow.
Course instructor Graeme noticed her progress, describing her as someone who stepped into a lead role within the group.
This was a turning point.
Lisa was no longer just trying to find a job. She was building belief in herself.
With new skills and growing confidence, Lisa expanded her job search to include roles that matched her strengths.
Not long after completing the course, she secured permanent part-time work as a cleaning attendant at her local hospital.
“Since starting work, Lisa has experienced significant growth in her confidence because she is tapping into a skillset she already had,” Milaney said.
Her supervisors have already shared positive feedback, recognising her as a valuable member of the team.
By her third week on the job, Lisa was settling into her role and building confidence each day.
“I feel like I am getting there, learning new things and meeting new people,” she said.
She is part of a supportive workplace where she can continue to grow, learn and succeed.
Lisa’s journey has also stood out to Endeavour Foundation’s IEA Area Manager Brendan Croft.
“Lisa has been one of the most motivated customers I have come across,” Brendan said.
“She is a great example of what can be achieved when people believe in their value and are willing to try new things.”
With the right support and guidance, Lisa has built confidence, developed new skills and found meaningful work.
All it took was the right person to recognise her strengths and to discuss taking a chance on something new.
Lisa’s journey through IEA shows how people with intellectual disability succeed in real workplaces across Australia.
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