More than 40 people, from a range of organisations and with lived experiences, attended an icare workshop on June 1.

The solutions-based workshop took a deep dive and looked at what options could be available in Dubbo.

Sophie Davis, from the social insurer organisation said it was a great turnout with a variety of people in attendance.

“We’ve had a really great response. Overwhelming,” she said.

“We’ve had people with lived experience, people who are in our lifetime care scheme, including people who have had accidents on the road… and people who have had a serious injury at work.”

Ms Davis said people with a disability can be affected in multiple ways, including walking talking and more.

Representatives from Live Better, Dubbo Regional Council and Carers NSW also attended.

Ms Davis said the workshop was a way t get an idea of what is needed in the community.

Eugene McGarrell, icare’s General Manager, Health and Community Engagement, said they were hearing from many Lifetime Care participants who felt isolated and excluded because it was so hard to get out.

“Our care coordinators talk with participants all the time and believe there has to be a better way to help the people we support,” Mr McGarrell said.

“For instance, a young woman who acquired a spinal injury following a car accident was upset because she couldn’t go out and meet her friends at this really difficult time in her life because she lived too far out of town,” Mr McGarrell said.

“Transport needs to be available, affordable and accessible, and we want our participants to be autonomous in how they get it. We know that the longer people are away from work or their community, the greater their risk of social isolation and the likelihood of the onset of mental health issues, which can delay recovery.

Mr McGarrell said Dubbo was chosen because they know it’s a strong community and there is a significant number of people living with spinal and brain injuries in the Central West region.

icare approached local organisations and people with lived experience to set up a solutions workshop to take a look at what options could be available in Dubbo.

“We’ve had an excellent response, with representatives from Dubbo Regional Council, Australia Unity, bus companies, NSW Aboriginal Transport Network, Carers NSW, Live Better, Northcott and Catholic Healthcare Services all interested in working together,” Mr McGarrell said.

He explained that the best ideas formulated at the workshop would be developed further with free business planning and support.

“And then, if these concepts are shown to be feasible, they will be pitched to the icare foundation for seed funding to further develop them,” Mr McGarrell said.

“This type of social innovation has never been done before, where a social insurer co-designs a solution with the community for them to run. icare’s philosophy is that we want to be part of the local conversation and invest in country initiatives.”