Safe and accessible homes: how Home Assist Secure supports independent living in Queensland
As Queensland's population ages, the demand for accessible living solutions is skyrocketing. Enter Home Assist Secure (HAS), a vital service that helps older Australians and people with disability fund essential home modifications and maintenance, allowing them to live safely and independently in their own homes.
For more than 30 years, the HAS team in Petrie has been a cornerstone of the community. Since Wesley Mission Queensland (WMQ) took over operation of the service from Moreton Bay Council 11 years ago, they’ve become unsung heroes dedicated to meeting the needs of local residents.
How to access HAS services
For anyone seeking home modifications or maintenance, reach out to Wesley Mission Queensland's expert team on 1800 448 448 or fill out our contact form.
‘We can talk them through the referral process and what they need to do based on their individual circumstances ... we provide services to NDIS participants, those on home care packages, either with WMQ or other providers. And even if they're not in the aged care system currently, chances are we can probably still help them in some way.’ - Amanda Lyon, Senior Coordinator for HAS,
Making a real impact
Amanda Lyon (photo above), Senior Coordinator for HAS,
takes immense pride in the team's impact.
Home Assist has a great impact on people's lives. The whole purpose of our service is to keep customers in the home as long as possible. And such a large part of that is keeping that home safe, secure, and accessible.
Amanda recounts heartwarming stories that underscore the team’s mission. One customer, who had motor neurone disease, was finally able to enjoy his backyard after the team built him a custom platform and ramp. ‘Those sorts of stories are what makes it so worthwhile,’ she says with a smile.
High demand for essential services
With increasing demand for their services, covering areas from Mount Gravatt to Caboolture, Amanda states, ‘My carpenters are booked out two months in advance and my plumbers are booked out 3 or 4 weeks now. We fit in the urgent jobs here and there, but it's always worth the wait!’ she assures.
HAS focuses on two key areas: home maintenance and modifications. From fixing broken toilets to installing accessible features like quarter-turn taps for people with arthritis, the team ensures homes remain functional and safe. ‘It’s the essential maintenance that keeps the home safe, accessible, and secure,’ Amanda explains.
Customised solutions for every home
Image: Peter, Senior Carpenter, and Robert, Carpenter, in our purpose-built workshop,
customising items to fit all needs, budgets and aesthetics.
The team also excels in custom home modifications, thanks to WMQ’s purpose-built workshop and trained in-house staff. ‘We’re very lucky here,’ Amanda says, noting that it’s a niche area with many providers relying solely on contractors and pre-made items.
WMQ’s HAS team takes a comprehensive, personalised approach to creating home modifications. From ramps and half-steps to railings and shower inserts, they work closely with customers to ensure the solutions meet their exact needs.
Collaboration with occupational therapists
‘There's a whole range of things that we do in this space,’ Amanda states.
Often in partnership with an occupational therapist, our team will visit a customer’s home to determine what we need to make to modify their home for better access and mobility. That could be building ramps, rails, or shower platforms to help with access in and out of the shower …
'We have a modular system so that anything can be custom made to fit almost any shower, any toilet, any location, any house. And where possible, we will always use local and sustainable materials.’
Having the onsite workshop allows the HAS team to customise items not only in terms of dimensions but also to suit all budgets and aesthetics.
‘It’s really important that we can offer our customers as much choice as possible, and I think it's what separates us from other services … We offer a range of materials in terms of our ramps like hardwood or aluminium, and our galvanised steel handrails can be painted different colours. We work hard to ensure our customers have choice and are happy.’
More than just home modifications
Beyond structural changes, HAS can subsidise other essential services, like electrical work and refrigeration repairs. ‘If it’s about making sure the home is safe, secure, and accessible, we can help,’ Amanda emphasises. ‘Plus, we’re considerably more cost effective!’
With a growing client base, serving more than 2000 people last year alone, the possibilities are expanding. ‘It’s always a busy day!’
With a bright future ahead, the HAS team remains dedicated to empowering Queenslanders to live safely and comfortably at home. As Amanda puts it, ‘We get lots of compliments. We've got some customers who have been with us for more than 20 years, and they keep coming back. I'm very proud of the work that my team does.’
