The chance to live in an ordinary house, in a regular neighbourhood gives someone with an intellectual disability a sense of place in the community.

We strive to create opportunities for people with a disability to live their life in a way that is no different to other people in the community. However, they are not left to do things alone. The level of support provided at each home varies from drop-in support to 24 hour support according to the needs of the clients.

Aged Care
The Sunshine Home has an increasing ageing population and many of the clients we support have Down syndrome. For people with Down syndrome, the early onset of dementia is a common occurrence. The organisation has set up a specialised community housing model that supports people with very high needs, and who are ageing. Although specifically designed to support people who are ageing and who may also have mobility and other significant health issues, we still consider it vitally important that these houses feel like a home. They are located in a neighbourhood and present like any other home. Leisure options are offered within the home as well as access to local community services and participation in local community activities.

Group Homes
Our group homes are designed to support people with an intellectual disability who have higher support needs to live in their own home. It is always an aim of the Sunshine Home to support people to develop their independence, regardless of the levels of support they may require. When people learn an aspect of a new task or master something they have been practicing for a long time their self-esteem and confidence is enhanced.

Being part of a community is very important. Participating in community activities, being included in community events and contributing to the neighbourhood in which they live is a goal of the organisation.
The Sunshine Home currently supports 123 clients with an intellectual disability across the greater Sydney area with homes in Hornsby, Lower North Shore, Blacktown/Parklea and Wyong.

Drop-In Support
The nature of the support is two fold, one that meets the individual needs of the clients and secondly, one that meets the domestic needs of the household. Staff are specifically employed as home support staff that would provide assistance to meet the clients’ tenancy obligations as well as ensuring that domestic tasks that would enhance community living were achieved.

The aim of the support is to always increase the person’s skills and level of independence. As people become more experienced and develop skills and confidence their need for support may lessen or change.