Saffron loves doing art and has started her own business, called ‘Art by Saffron’.
An NDIS participant since the scheme first rolled out, the 19-year-old who has autism, and a genetic disorder uses her funding to engage provider Life Without Barriers to help her get job-ready. She is part of its employment pathways program.
Program manager Natalie Christian said Saffron is a great NDIS success story.
‘Saffron’s very talented, so we have supported her to turn her hobby into a small business,’ Natalie said.
‘As part of her employment pathway, Saffron does voluntary work at the library and the op shop. That’s on top of running her small business.’
Saffron loves to create art using vibrant colours and different mediums. She manages her own Facebook page where she advertises her art. She also sells it at twilight markets and at shops around the island. She even holds art exhibitions.
‘I’m excited to share my art,’ Saffron said.
Lately, she has been exploring new and different ideas for her business. Saffron’s support worker helped her do market research to see if it was worthwhile printing her art on mugs.
They found it was, and she’s been able to pay for the printing with the money she has earned from selling her artwork.
Saffron has 2 support workers, Luna and Lorraine, who help to build her independence. Luna helps Saffron with her art and Lorraine helps when she does her voluntary work.
Saffron lives on Norfolk Island and leads a full and busy life, thanks in part to the support she receives from the NDIS.
Mondays and Thursdays are her employment pathway days, while on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays she does community access and works on her daily living skills.
Saffron also does art classes once a week with a local artist, goes to yoga classes and loves to dance to live music on weekends.
‘I’d like to be famous one day,’ she said.
But she’s already a celebrity on the island. Locals love her art and often stop her to ask when she’s holding her next exhibition.
‘I love living on Norfolk Island,’ Saffron said. ‘It has lots of pine trees and beautiful landscapes. I’ve loved them since I was little.
‘All the beautiful scenery and animals here on the island inspire me every day,’ she said.