UWA student Asger Wade has provided “invaluable” support to Nedlands-based aged care and disability service group Indigo Australasia, strengthening how the organisation works with and supports Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
Asger, who is studying Chemistry and Economics, undertook the project through a McCusker Centre for Citizenship, where he contributed 100 hours towards the development of Indigo’s Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) under Reconciliation Australia.
Indigo provides assistive technology (devices and equipment), home modifications, therapy, driving and training services to help older people and those living with disabilities achieve greater independence and social inclusion.
“Our organisation delivers support to the most isolated cohorts in Australia, so our Reconciliation Action Plan is of crucial importance,” said Asger’s internship supervisor and Indigo Business Innovation Manager, Bernadette Mitchell-Armstrong.
Asger was tasked with leading the RAP project, where he collaborated with a range of staff across the Indigo team who had volunteered to be part of the project group.
“The passion and enthusiasm of this group to create real change was infectious for me, and it created a positive environment for me to work in,” said Asger.
“Knowing that reconciliation was an issue many people in the organisation were passionate about helped drive me,” he said.
The Indigo team were “exceedingly impressed” with Asger’s contributions to the project.
“Asger took on the RAP Project Lead position and worked tirelessly to identify the benchmark of our reconciliation practices, to educate staff on correct terminology and practices, and to support the organisation to develop our Reconciliation Action Plan,” said Mrs Mitchell-Armstrong.
“Developing a Reconciliation Action Plan is a complex but very important task for our organisation. Having Asger as our intern was amazing, it allowed us to develop a clear plan with achievable deliverables,” she said.
Asger said the internship experience at Indigo has shown him the importance of aged care and disability support in empowering individuals in disadvantaged groups, especially the aging population, people with disabilities, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
“The internship has tremendously broadened my perspective on the issue of social mobility, and how it’s not just economic factors that affect social mobility,” said Asger.
Asger recommends the McCusker Centre for Citizenship internship program to other students.
“You’re likely going to be diving into something you never would have imagined yourself doing. This is 100% the reason why anyone should do it, to get out of your comfort zone and do something meaningful,” said Asger.