Prakash is a mental health recovery worker at Richmond Futures’ Bellette Place supported accommodation facility in Chigwell and has seen how beneficial the right support and accommodation can be for people.

“With even a small amount of help, people can make significant improvements in their lives,” Prakash says.

“And housing is really the foundation. Once someone has a stable place to live, they can focus on everything else – family, work, health. Without that, it’s really hard.”

Prakash helps residents learn to manage their mental health while building their confidence and independent living skills. He runs one-on-one cooking sessions with residents and often joins them for games of cricket and table tennis or just going for a walk.

“Sometimes just listening and spending time with people makes a big difference. People feel heard and safe,” he says.

But what means the most to Prakash is helping people make progress.

“When someone gets their own place or reconnects with family, it’s such a good feeling,” he says. “When someone leaves here with the skills to live independently and knows where to get support, that’s the best part of the job.”

Today is the International Day of Persons with Disability, which is an opportunity to acknowledge people who are living with disability as well as the support workers who are helping make their lives better.

One of the residents who has benefited greatly from Richmond Futures’ support is Adele, who first noticed her mental health declining about 10 years ago.

After receiving some initial support, Adele experienced a period of homelessness before connecting with Richmond Futures where a stable environment and appropriate support at their Glenorchy facility has enabled her to rebuild her life.

Initially quiet and withdrawn, Adele slowly built trust, began managing appointments, and developed new skills. She gained casual employment, re-obtained her driver’s licence and purchased a car. Adele has since taken on new cleaning roles, is no longer on a Mental Health Treatment Order, and is focused on her future goals – gaining fulltime employment, moving into a private rental, and giving up smoking.

Richmond Futures – a locally operated, Tasmanian-owned not-for-profit organisation – has been providing independent living accommodation and support for over 40 years and manages five residential sites around Tasmania.

The Tasmanian Housing Strategy prioritises delivering more suitable housing and improved housing services for Tasmanians living with disability. This includes delivering more supported accommodation facilities like Bellette Place and ensuring new social housing is accessible and provides appropriate amenity to meet the needs of people with disability.

Bellette Place opened in February 2025 and provides 24 units of supported accommodation. Homes Tasmania provided $14.2 million for construction of the facility.