heard about Circles of Support when her son Bradley, was a young boy. The idea resonated deeply with her and she started dreaming about how Brad’s future could be supported and safeguarded by a group of people who had a heart connection with him. Bradley is now a young adult and since starting a Circle of Support 18 months ago, Brad has moved into his own home. He is loving his new home and connection with his neighbourhood.

has always chosen to work at the cutting edge of change in community, and has worked alongside people with disabilities and their families for nearly 30 years. She was the Co-ordinator of a family-governed group called Living Distinctive Lives for 9 years, many of whom had circles of support and Teresa assisted them to move into their own homes. Currently, as the Project Manager of Building Community Networks (Circles of Support Facilitation) she continues to be impressed by the power, creativity and resilience of people who experience disability, their families and networks. She sees firsthand the incredible impact engaging positively with a person’s Circle of Support has, and how it can lead to creating a good life and safeguarding the future.

is the CEO of Belonging Matters. For over 30 years, she has been involved in the lives of people with a disability with an intellectual disability and their families. Deb has witnessed how people flourish when they are supported to authentically pursue valued roles and connect to their neighbourhood. Many years ago, Deb instigated the Building Community Networks project at Belonging Matters which facilitates Circles of Support. She has found that Circles of Support provide an important safeguard for the future and are a way to invite more people into a person’s life who are not paid to be there.