MAGGIE Townsend’s journey has taken her from a dairy farm in Somerset, England, to a heart of the disability services sector in Somerset, Australia.
After decades of dedicated service, the longest-serving employee of Toogoolawah’s Carinity Our House has retired, leaving behind a legacy of empowerment and community.
For 16 years as coordinator of Carinity Our House, Ms Townsend has supported hundreds of local people with a disability to gain vital life skills, forge meaningful friendships, and realise their potential.
“I actually fell into working in the disability sector while travelling around Australia,” she said.
“Even before I started working for Carinity, I was involved in fundraising when the community was raising money to build Our House. So it was dear to my heart from the very beginning.”
Carinity Our House offers a range of services, including in-home support and personal care, short-term on-site respite, social activities and outings, and life skills programs.
“By coming here, they’re making friends, taking part in activities, getting out into the community and visiting places,” Ms Townsend said.
“They’re building real connections instead of being at home on their own.”
Carinity Our House supports people with a disability to transition from dependency to independence with self-confidence.
Over her tenure, Ms Townsend has witnessed Carinity Our House grow from serving a single participant 16 years ago to supporting more than 20 clients today.
