New grants driving financial security in disability sector

2023 Hireup Impact Grants powered by HESTA and The Achieve Foundation create long-term change for people living with a disability and support workers.

Supporting people with disabilities and the workers who assist them helps promote a more equitable society. The 2023 Hireup Impact Grants program funds initiatives by people with disabilities and support workers that contribute towards their long-term financial stability and independence.  

Powered by a partnership between Hireup, HESTA and The Achieve Foundation, this year’s program is centred on ‘Future Security,’ six recipients have just been awarded $10,000 each. These will go towards their education, employment and professional development.   

An additional financial boost can have a powerful effect on a person’s quality of life. The annual impact grants is a dynamic approach to grant-making to bring people closer to their good life. It is anchored in seven core domains of the Hireup Good Life Framework: Community Connection, Personal Relationships, Future Security, Health, Achievements, and Safety.

Sarah Peddie-McGuirk, Head of Quality and Practice Excellence at Hireup, said, “The Hireup Impact Grants are a much-needed catalyst in our society. They are a financial injection large enough to make a massive impact on an individual’s life by breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of agency. Our grants are about making a long-term impact by empowering individuals to build their own financial security.” 

“We believe that every person deserves the chance to lead a self-determined life. This year’s recipients demonstrate the diverse and inspiring journeys that these grants aim to support,” she said.  

Stories of recipients of the 2023 Hireup Impact Grants:  

People with disability  

• Kyle has always dreamed of becoming a successful disabled content creator. Through his platform, he wants to be a resource for disabled individuals seeking empowerment and to prove to others that diverse abilities and talents exist within the disabled community too. The grant will allow him to upgrade his equipment and support him in his work as a content creator. 
    
• Jean, who has an acquired medical condition wants to pursue a career as an illustrator.  To her, visual communication can improve how information is understood, and overcome socioeconomic, educational and language barriers. The grant will assist Jean in her pursuit of growing her illustration portfolio and expanding her network in this field.   

• Tim was born with Cerebral Palsy and has a career goal of becoming a professional songwriter. This has been the driving passion and force behind every career decision he has made for the last 30 years. He has also received acknowledgment from many industry professionals on his writing abilities. The grant will help fund a mentorship opportunity he’s always dreamed of.  

Support workers  

• Jackiehas a long-term goal of being an Auslan interpreter and wants to help fill the shortage. Through her clients and working with Hireup, she has learned that there is more demand for Ausland interpreters than those available. This was evident during Covid-19 and continues in many regions today. The grant will support Jackie in her Auslan studies and strengthen her language skills. 
    
• Samanthahas been a support worker for over a decade and has always dreamed of becoming a Registered Nurse. However, the single parent to 2 young children has been held back over the years due to previous personal commitments. The grant will not only contribute towards her studies but also help progress her journey of becoming a Registered Nurse. 
    
• Sage dreams of becoming a certified personal trainer and nutritionist so she can help her clients improve their fitness, functional capacity, independent living and mental health. She has been supporting some of her clients on their fitness journeys and has witnessed the boost it gives to their self-confidence as they become stronger. The grant will aid her qualification pursuit. 

Joe Agius, General Manager of Business Growth at HESTA, commented on their partnership with Hireup, “HESTA is proud to partner with Hireup to support workers in building skills and progressing their careers. We hope that the Hireup Impact Grants help the recipients to feel valued and recognised for the positive impact they make each day.”  

For more information, please visit https://hireup.com.au/hireup-impact-grants/#what-are-hireup-impact-grants.   

Menchie Khairuddin

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Menchie Khairuddin is a writer Deputy Content Manager at Akolade and content producer for Third Sector News. She is passionate about social affairs specifically in mixed, multicultural heritage and not-for-profit organisations.

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