~ TESTIMONIALS ~
Fortitude has released the chains and shackles that my mental health had tied to me, through compassion, understanding and support. I no longer just exist, I'm now actually able to live my life and achieve my goals, that were once only a dream. With my supports, I have gained so much confidence and ability in myself and believe without Fortitude and the amazing staff, I wouldn't be living my life the way I am. I achieving the best of me, so to me, Fortitude is freedom to life.
Karen
Participant of Fortitude Illawarra
Fortitude helps me feel motivated and helps me stay on top of things in my day-to-day life. They are beautiful people, courageous and have a very friendly approach and this is the support that works for me.
The team make me feel in inspired, encourage me to have new experiences. They have helped reduce my isolation and bring a sense of calm to my life. It’s a blessing have the girls turn up at my place and we always have a good laugh. I am very happy with my support. My recovery coach is wise and very good at managing the politics within the NDIS. She allows me to be who I am, the whole team allow me to be who I am.
Maria
Participant of Fortitude Illawarra
As a support coordinator, I have worked closely with Fortitude since the company began in early 2021. In that time, Fortitude have supported many of my clients, most of which have very complex support needs. Fortitude is a company that began for all the right reasons. You can feel this in your interactions with the service.
The founder of Fortitude, Melinda, works very closely with the support workers to ensure that they feel well supported in their role and this reflects in the capability of the workers consistently meeting clients where they are at despite varying needs of support.
Fortitude go above and beyond to know and understand the clients individual needs. This allows them to provide flexible supports and to maintain positive relationships with both clients and their support networks.
I am truly grateful to have come across a provider that has shown empathy, connection and passion towards each and every client that they have work with, despite often very complex and stressful circumstances.
Thank you Fortitude for your continual hard work and willingness to support clients. This has also provided a tremendous amount of support to me in my role as a coordinator.
Riley
Support Coordinator
We have found Melinda to be a strong advocate for her clients and always willing to work as part of a team of service providers. She is great at making sure her clients' needs are met in the most individualised way.
Local Occupational Therapy Service
Working with Melinda and the team at Fortitude is streamlined and effective – no wait lists and no uncertainty. Melinda knows the capacity and capabilities of her team, she knows who will work well with the needs of the participant and delivers as promised. The level of professionalism and reporting means I feel up-to-date and secure in the supports. She understands the complexity of living with psychosocial disability and pushing the opportunities for success. Melinda’s team are well trained and well supported – they know their limits and how essential a sustainable service is in our sector.”
Pam
Founder/Support Coordinator Local Support Solutions
I want to say how happy I am to be working with Amanda and the company, Fortitude is the best. I feel so safe and happy to have Amanda, Jorja, Vicki and Ash working with me. Thank you so much for making my life better and safer for me. I want to say a big thank you to Mel for being the best boss to all the team and I am so grateful that I have beautiful, lovely workers like all of you. I want to continue to work with Fortitude because they are the best in the Illawarra and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Tenika
Participant of Fortitude Illawarra
For the first time in my career, I have felt supported and valued my whole time whilst being employed by Fortitude Illawarra. Fortitude has helped me grow into the knowledgeable and philanthropic psychosocial support worker I am today. While I have mental health experience, I am also able to utilise my lived experience in a supported environment and team. While working under the mentorship of Melinda (founder of Fortitude Illawarra), it has given me the knowledge and tools to use my lived experience as a skill set in a healthy and wholesome method.
Working with Fortitude, I am able to assist many people in their day-to-day lives, from accessing the right support, to encouraging people to hit their goals and achieve things they didn’t know they could, which is the most rewarding part of my job. Knowing I am working with a provider who is capable of inspiring people continuously and providing their employees with endless support and feedback, makes working for Fortitude so beneficial to my career growth. We focus on wellness based practices and have made a real difference in such a short amount of time. I envision Fortitude continuing to blossom into a sought after support service, enabling so many more people to reach their potential. One thing I can attest to, is working for Fortitude Illawarra has taught me this; People’s potential is limitless, when you have someone who believes in you and is able to advocate for you, that right there is what makes the difference.
Hope
Fortitude Staff Member