Spotlight on Ebony Thomas

Ebony commenced work with OC Connections in January 2022 after some extended leave from the sector to stay home with her children.  

Her previous experience was in-home one-to-one support for a person with quadriplegia. She has welcomed the move into a support setting, providing support in the community and at OC Connections’ Warrigal Road site.  

“I love supporting participants in different settings: going out in the community, getting to know each person I support and seeing their development in regular activities, like Shop, Cook and Learn,” she says.  

As part of the Shop, Cook and Learn activity, Ebony supports participants to select a meal to prepare for lunch. They then travel to the local shopping center to purchase supplies and return to the OC Connections’ Day Support Centre kitchen in Oakleigh, to prepare and cook. It’s an opportunity for participants to develop life and independent skills, such as communication, literacy, numeracy, travel, and teamwork.  

While the transition to full-time disability support can be challenging, especially balancing work and home life, Ebony has enjoyed the change. “I look forward to coming to work and catching up with my colleagues and the people I support,” she says.