There’s no denying the name Endeavour Foundation is synonymous with excellence and care and commitment to people living with disabilities and their families in Queensland.

This amazing organisation has cared for and put the lives of people living with disabilities and their carers first for 70 years this year.

Endeavour Foundation is an independent organisation and NDIS provider, established in 1951 with a vision to support people with an intellectual disability to live their best life – starting with equal access to education and life-skills learning.

Today the business focuses on ability – on dreams, goals and potential. The team collaborates with customers to imagine the possibilities and then work together to make them happen.

The entire team of experts takes the time to understand participants – their lifestyle, routines, dreams and the people who are important to them.

Whatever your goals – for life, work or personally – the Endeavour Foundation collaborates with you and your family to develop effective, personalised support that fits in with your needs and interests.

“We’re here to help you live your best life” is the Foundation’s motto.

Services include:

Supported Employment:

Endeavour Foundation offers supported employment opportunities for people with an intellectual disability because everyone should have the opportunity to gain new skills, feel part of a team and earn an income.

As an Australian Disability Enterprise (ADE), the Foundation employs people with a disability throughout New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland, to participate in a wide variety of work such as:

• Packaging
• Assembly
• Production
• Recycling
• Cleaning services
• Administration
• Machinery operation
• Wood work
• Commercial sewing
• Food services

For locations, check HERE. 

Learning and Lifestyle

Depending on a participant’s strengths and interests, you can take part in a range of flexible and adaptable learning programs, recreation and social activities.

The team works with individuals to understand what is important to them, what they’re interested in, and what they would like to achieve.

The team will then work together to design a personalised plan. Changes to this plan can be made at any time to ensure the service is meeting their needs.

The activities available at the Foundation’s Learning and Lifestyle services are designed to help participants identify their goals for daily living, community participation, learning and building relationships and having fun

Participants can use the smart and assistive technologies the Foundation has available to help them communicate their choices and preferences.

To talk to someone about the Learning and Lifestyle program, call 1800 112 112 or email them.

Supported accommodation

Participants will be supported to live independently and be involved in running their home. They will also be supported to connect and play an active part in their local community.

Foundation houses are designed specifically to suit the needs of people with disability and generally operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week with staff that sleepover at night. If you need extra assistance at night, we can provide staff on an “awake” shift.

Accommodation facilities are available throughout Queensland – check with the Foundation to find locations.

The Endeavour Foundation was founded in 1951 by a group of parents of children with an intellectual disability. IThe association was formed with a desire to create more educational options and opportunities in life for children with intellectual disability.

The original New South Wales branch provided vital guidance and advice for Queensland parents in the early days.

With their help, a small but active group in Brisbane rallied the public and parents, leading to the creation of a Queensland affiliate of the New South Wales association.

Parents contended that children with intellectual disability should have the same right to education and other life opportunities as everyone else.

The association’s first school and support group were established in a member’s home, but moved to a large property in Bowen Hills in Brisbane, where the parent – child guidance clinic was established. It was not long before branches were formed throughout Queensland.

Through the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s, the Foundation opened its first purpose-built family home in Cairns, expanded to offer 21 schools throughout Queensland and provided services to around 3500 people!

Endeavour Foundation’s schools were integrated with the state education system 33 years after the first school opened.

In the 1990s, closer links with families and communities was a key emphasis as a “parent liaison officer” was appointed to work with parents so participants could be included in all aspects of decision making, ensuring parents were kept informed.

In response to long waiting lists, Endeavour Foundation self-funded support for around 1000 additional people.

In September 2009 Endeavour Foundation acquired Cumberland Industries in Western Sydney, providing employment for a further 610 people with a disability.

This made Endeavour Foundation the largest non-government provider of direct disability employment in Australia.

The Endeavor Foundation Endowment Challenge Fund was established to fund research and special projects to benefit the wider Australian disability sector as a whole with an emphasis on people with an intellectual disability.

The Endowment Challenge Fund is a capital-preserved fund where donations made to the fund are invested and the interest earned is used to support Fund activities.

The Great Endeavour Rally is voted Queensland’s best fundraising event. By 2008 21 Great Endeavour Rallies had raised more than $2 million through community and corporate support.

In the past decade, 12 people made history becoming the first graduates of the innovative program Latch-On®, obtaining Certificate II in Literacy & Technology in Australia.

Developed in partnership with the University of Queensland, Latch-On® was developed to provide education opportunities in computer, literacy and technology for young people with a disability.

Learning and Lifestyle support services provide people with a disability access to certificate II modules and courses, while 26 supported employees go on to complete a Certificate II in workplace practice.

The Endeavour Foundation is also a fantastic place to start when embarking on your NDIS journey. Check out their NDIS help services.

Staff and participants from throughout the Endeavour Foundation network celebrated the organisation’s 70th anniversary in June.