Contact us if you need help
Need a hand? Wear the lanyard. See the lanyard? Ask.
We've all had moments when a little extra support could make our day easier.
Whether it's reaching something on a shelf, finding our way somewhere unfamiliar, understanding information or simply having an extra pair of hands, sometimes a small act of consideration can make a big difference.
Lend a Hand South West is about creating a community where asking for support feels normal, offering assistance is encouraged, and everyone's choices are respected.
Through a simple, recognisable lanyard and free community awareness training, we're encouraging people across the South West to look out for one another.
Lend a Hand South West is a community initiative developed from an idea by Ant, a D Connect Community Mentor and disability advocate, with the support of Advocacy WA.
The project uses a recognisable lanyard that people can choose to wear to communicate one simple message:
"I MAY NEED A HAND."
The lanyard gives people another way to let others know they may appreciate assistance with a task, information or navigating a community space.
But wearing a lanyard doesn't mean someone always needs help.
It's simply an invitation to ask.
If you see someone wearing a Lend a Hand lanyard, you can start with a friendly question:
"Would you like a hand?"
The person can then tell you what they need, how you can help, or let you know they don't need assistance at that time.
It's about asking, listening and respecting everyone's choices.
Anyone who feels the lanyard would be useful can choose to wear one.
This might include:
• People with disability.
• Older people.
• People recovering from an injury or illness.
• Parents and carers navigating the community with children.
• People who find certain information, technology or environments difficult to navigate.
• Anyone who may simply appreciate a hand on that day.
You don't need to have a disability to wear the lanyard, and you don't need to explain or prove why you're wearing one.
Everyone's circumstances are different, and everyone's need for support can change.
The choice to ask for or accept assistance always belongs to the person.
You don't need to know everything about disability to help create a more inclusive community.
Sometimes, all it takes is asking a simple question.
Our free Lend a Hand South West Community Awareness Training is a short, interactive online course designed to help people feel more confident offering assistance respectfully.
The training explores:
• Why everyone needs support at different times in their lives.
• The diversity of disability and the importance of avoiding assumptions.
• How environments, information and attitudes can create barriers.
• How to offer assistance respectfully by asking, listening and respecting people's choices.
• What the Lend a Hand lanyard means and how it works.
• Simple ways individuals, businesses and community organisations can help create more accessible and welcoming communities.
The training is suitable for everyone, including community members, employees, volunteers, businesses and local organisations.
No previous disability awareness training is required.
The course is free, online and self paced, taking approximately 10 to 15 minutes to complete. Participants can also receive a certificate of completion.
Help spread the message that offering assistance can be as simple as asking a question.
Learn what the lanyard means, complete the free awareness training and share the initiative with your friends, family and community.
If wearing a lanyard would make it easier for you to communicate that you may need support, you can choose to use one.
Your business can play an important role in creating a more welcoming and inclusive South West.
Encourage your staff to complete the free awareness training, learn to recognise the lanyard and understand how to offer assistance respectfully.
You can also explore becoming a participating location where community members can access Lend a Hand lanyards.
Share the Lend a Hand initiative with your members, staff and volunteers.
Encourage participation in the free training and consider how your activities, services and community spaces can become more accessible and inclusive.
Together, we can help build a community where people feel comfortable asking for support and know their choices will be respected.
Ant is a D Connect Community Mentor, community disability advocate and active member of the Disabled Surfers Association of Australia, SWAN and Embrace Inclusion.
Through years of community involvement, Ant has seen how small barriers can make a big difference in people's everyday lives.
Lend a Hand South West grew from his simple idea:
"Make it easier for people to ask for support, and build a community where offering a hand is part of everyday life."
With the support of Advocacy WA, this idea is helping encourage a culture of community connection, consideration and inclusion across the South West.
Lend a Hand isn't about assuming people need assistance or expecting people with disability to rely on others.
It's about creating a community where everyone feels welcome, where asking for support is normal, and where people have the freedom to make their own choices.
It's also about recognising that accessible environments, services and information benefit everyone.
You don't need to have all the answers.
You don't need to know someone's personal circumstances.
Sometimes, you just need to ask.
Need a hand? Wear the lanyard.
See the lanyard? Ask.
Together, we can build a community that lends a hand.
Interested in accessing a Lend a Hand lanyard, participating as a business or sharing the initiative in your community?
Get in touch with Advocacy WA to find out more.
Phone: 08 9721 6444
Email: admin@advocacywa.org.au
