our vision is to deliver the best quality charitable programs, service and support, to thousands of participants across australia
reaching towards better
In 2024 Meliora evolved from a business that conducted some charitable work in passion driven informal efforts to improve people's lives. We recognised that registering as a Public Benevolent Institute (PBI) Charity, and achieving item 1 DGR status - would align our structure with the work we'd already been doing quietly in the background for many years.
Since that time, Meliora as a charity, has better served our clients, program recipients, workers and community - as we grow larger circles of influence and broaden the supports we offer.
Operating as a self-sustaining organisation allows more opportunities for growth, while sharing and formalising our charitable programs including Unfunded Lives and Supported by Meliora - means we are able to accept donations that already make an enormous impact to people going through the worst of it in our communities.
~ David Ryan, Founder
Get to know us
our story so far
David & Sorcha started a home maintenance business in the South Burnett at the beginning of 2019. By 2020 we began hiring staff and soon after this the name Meliora was born. From the beginning, we could see that there was a real lack of focus from the other providers in the more base, foundational supports. We wanted to make sure our supports began from the ground up, helping get the basics like a clean, tidy, well-functioning home and garden in place for people. Thus setting a foundation for the more complex supports to have a bigger impact in our clients lives.
Also, a real focus on the person that we were supporting, getting to know them personally, who they are, what they have been through and what they would like for their future. A lot of our clients now consider us and our workers to be their friends, as well as their support provider. Finally a focus on doing what we believed to be right, for the client, for us, for everyone as a whole. We didnt claim to know what was right all the time, but rather strived to find out what that is and work towards that. Another way that seemed to set us apart.
From this approach, the business grew quite organically from word of mouth and referrals. Now we've grown to not only offer a diverse range of support services in multiple locations, including Brisbane - but we've evolved into a charity with multiple programs helping people who sit outside the scheme, have increased our work with older Australians, and offer supported employment in our cafe Archie AMPM.
Even though Sorcha has left the business, her influence and input is still seen in our values, goals and aspirations. With more than thirty staff who have us - we work as a team in supporting participants to live a better life, and achieve their goals, the way they want.
our KEY VALUES
our values guide all that we do
our primary mission is to genuinely be of service
At Meliora, we aspire to grow to become a better organisation and provider, and sometimes better human beings. Our core values serve as consistent reminders of our overall vision, and to support us to reflect more on our personal motivations, intentions, ethics and morals.
We Value
kinship
kinship means friendship, family and connection
We treat all participants with the same respect, consideration, and care as family members, friends, and potential future friends we meet on the street with longer-term support, it's not just a professional relationship, but a personal connection that often builds over time.
That’s why we put our hearts into the support we offer. Go heart or go home.
We Value
honesty
honesty means truthfulness, frankness, transparency and being genuine
For us, this includes full transparency about how we operate and how we invoice. If you ask a direct question, expect a direct answer. We also remain frank and direct, so everything is clear and easy to understand.
Open and genuine communication between everyone involved leads to better understanding and service.
We Value
empathy
empathy means care, compassion, equality and understanding
People with disability are often judged, ignored, condescended to, and dismissed. We want your NDIS experience to be a positive one instead.
So it’s important to put ourselves into your shoes as we get to know you and what matters most in your life. Our team goal includes genuine care of others, and treating our clients as people with their own goals and feelings.
We understand everybody has different needs and life experiences. Those experiences shape how we feel, think, interpret and behave.
We Value
growth
growth includes feedback, reflection, confronting issues, emotion and development
We love receiving feedback, it allows us to grow. That's why we include regular check-ins, and opportunities for you to offer feedback when you want.
We also constantly measure and review our worker output and conduct. Our staff know very well that we are very direct in confronting issues, including across our management team.
For participants, the direction you want to grow becomes our focus in supporting you.
Our approach
rapport focused
importance of getting to know you
We understand that support workers and other staff can become an important part of your life. That’s why we focus on you, the participant. We work to develop the right mix of support, with staff members who suit you best. This helps us to deliver a personalised experience.
We have a diverse range of workers with many years of experience in different areas of support, who each have unique passions, desires, and interests. Matching the right person for you is our goal. And if something isn’t working the way you want, we intend to listen and take action to remedy the situation.
looking forward
Our vision is to deliver the best quality service and support, to thousands of participants across Australia, without sacrificing our morals, principles and ethics - or forgetting our humble beginnings. To have the personal feeling of an independent support worker but with the services and teamwork of a provider.
We believe in the principle of the NDIS and aged care system and are constantly looking for ways to learn, improve and develop in all areas of our business - to ensure we grow as our clients grow, but also maintain our consistency. Meliora means "for the pursuit of the better".