Ramneek Wayne has a passion for helping others and currently impacts the lives of people with disabilities as the co-founder of The North Foundation.
Wayne, a former Centrelink security guard and child protection worker, and co-founder Evangeline Tee, whom he met through university, focused on helping individuals live their best lives and achieve their goals. I was involved in the creation of the service that I was looking for.
The business will launch in 2022 and will be based on the 8th floor of 34 Queen St, providing assistance with daily living, community engagement, grocery shopping, attending events, educational support, meal preparation and unwavering care. We offer a wide range of services including:
Wayne said their mission is to create a brighter future for everyone, even if it means paying out-of-pocket if participants' National Disability Insurance Scheme funds are exhausted. .
“I studied to get into this field. It's about making a difference and working with people. That's what I'm passionate about,” said Wayne, who has a graduate degree in psychology. Ta.
“We also think outside the box when working with families, looking for other options, gathering evidence, and rallying support.”
Mr Wayne was born in India and moved to New Zealand at the age of 17, graduating with a degree in business administration before coming to Melbourne in 2016.
But while working in child protection, Wayne had a life-changing moment when he witnessed families being separated due to domestic violence.
“It affected me. The family didn't know what support was available and the child was living with a disability,” he said.
Mr Wayne said he was determined to make a difference in the disability sector because “the funding is there but the right support is not being provided to the people who need it”.
In establishing The North Foundation, Wayne and Tee's team, including CEO Ruben Jeya, are committed to ensuring that all individuals from diverse disability backgrounds are understood, supported, valued and given appropriate assistance. We are working hard to ensure that you receive the following.
“We know what they're facing. It's a holistic support network that we empower around our participants,” Jeya said.
Among the successful participants is Anthony, who has autism spectrum disorder. Anthony was initially too shy to talk about it face-to-face, but after undergoing exposure therapy, he is now able to ride public transport on his own and works part-time at Vinnie's. Anthony said it “changed my life.”
Mr Wayne and Mr Tee also established the Social Wellness Foundation, a social cafe in Fitzroy North, providing hands-on work experience and classroom-based learning for participants.
Unfortunately, the cafe could not continue after six months, but they are proud of what they were able to achieve.
Looking to the future, North Foundation continues to grow with over 150 clients. That was their success. The company was shortlisted for the City of Yarra's Culture and Diversity Awards last year.
Jamal Hakim, Ambassador of the North Foundation and Melbourne City Councilor, said: “We've seen with our own eyes the real commitment they are making to people with disabilities and recognizing their whole selves. “It was,” he said.
“Ramnique and Evangeline are determined to drive change in the industry so that all people with disabilities have the opportunity to live their lives to the fullest.” •
Please contact The North Foundation by email or call 03 7009 9091.
