Building a better future for people with disability

Constructed in 1980, our head office is used by hundreds of people with disability each year, as a place of work or for training and development. The current building does not meet modern accessibility, environmental or technology standards. This not only restricts our ability to deliver on our mission – creating employment opportunities for people with disability – it is also a barrier to our employees reaching their full potential.

Thanks to generous funding support from Lotterywest, in late 2024 we commenced a year-long legacy project to improve amenities and provide a more inclusive environment for employees, trainees and visitors. The upgrade will be the most extensive at the site since it was built.

Good Sammy Chief Executive Officer Kane Blackman said the significant upgrade will create an inclusive physical environment that our staff and customers expect from a contemporary organisation.

Pictured above L-R: Lotterywest’s Lorna Pritchard, General Manager Grants and Community Development, and Colin Smith, CEO with Good Sammy CEO Kane Blackman

“Our organisation has also grown significantly grown in the last two years, with our headcount increasing from 600 to 840. That represents more employment opportunities for people with disability, who represent more than 50% of our workforce, but also means that we don’t have sufficient space to accommodate the growth.

“The funding from Lotterywest, which has been matched by Good Sammy, will enable us to create an environment that our team deserve, and enable the platform to sustain continued growth in employment opportunities for people with disability well into the future,” Mr Blackman said.

We are currently in Stage 1 of the building project. Stage 1 will run until at least February 2025 and involves renovation of existing offices to provide more open and collaborative workspaces, and upgrades to bathrooms. During this stage, a number of temporary measures have been put in place to ensure all staff – including those with disability – can continue to work effectively from the remaining office spaces. This includes hot desks, temporary toilets and pathways that can accommodate mobility aids such as wheelchairs.

Pictured above: Staff member Deb will use her cane to help navigate the building works, a temporary pathway is upgraded with bright yellow rubber matting

“I’ve been really impressed with how our staff have embraced the project, and how quickly they have adapted to the temporary inconvenience and changes caused by the renovations,” Mr Blackman said.

“The key thing I hear is an excitement from the team, and an appreciation, for investing in the built environment in which people work.”

Call Centre Operator Jennifer (pictured above right) said “I appreciate my management and co-worker’s support in navigating the changes impacting me while we’re improving accessibility in our workplace.”

Stage 2 will involve renovating the reception area, and an extension that will provide further office space and fit-for-purpose meeting and training rooms. Stage 2 will also include some upgrades to the garden area.

Stage 3, due to commence in the second half of 2025, will involve an overhaul of the canteen and break area. The canteen currently provides employment for up to 10 people with disability, provides catering for meetings and serves meals to hundreds of people daily.

This transformative project has been made possible thanks to the incredible support of Lotterywest and the people of Western Australia.