Meaningful Employment at Greenacres
Every person has the right to meaningful work. It is a fundamental human right that supports dignity, independence and full participation in community life. At Greenacres, we uphold this right by creating workplaces where people of all abilities can learn, contribute and be valued for who they are.
Real Opportunities
Our cafés and social enterprises provide real opportunities to develop skills that build confidence and long-term independence. Training is patient, respectful and tailored to each person’s goals, ensuring everyone has genuine choice and control over the way they work. People are encouraged to explore different roles, discover their strengths and take steps towards open employment when they choose to.
Chris, one of our long-standing team members, shares how exercising his right to meaningful employment shaped his journey:
"I started at Greenacres in 2011 doing assembly work for the mines. Over the years I moved through different jobs, even stepping into a leading-hand role. I earned my forklift licence while working in KJ, and about three years ago I began working in the cafés. I didn’t even know how to use a coffee machine back then.
Now I’m the one teaching others. Those skills helped me move into open employment. I like my job because people look up to me, and I get to teach them different skills. I’ve built my leadership skills and recently completed my first aid certificate. Greenacres has always believed in me and made me feel part of the team."
Inclusion In Action
Chris’s experience shows what becomes possible when people are given the right support, respect and opportunities. Meaningful employment strengthens identity, builds leadership and creates genuine inclusion. It gives people the freedom to shape their own futures and fully participate in their communities.
At Greenacres, every coffee, every meal and every interaction is part of a much bigger purpose. It helps uphold the right to meaningful work and creates a future where people of all abilities can thrive.