Common Ground Queensland
Name and position?
Deb Jones
Employment, Training and Volunteering Coordinator
Tell us about your business/organisation?
Operating since July 2012, Brisbane Common Ground is Queensland’s first supportive housing initiative. The South Brisbane 146 apartment complex provides accommodation to individuals who have experienced chronic homelessness or are on low incomes.
What is your role at your organisation?
To run an innovative, ‘out of the box’ pilot project which supports tenants in the building to find meaningful ways to engage with the community through employment, training and volunteering. These types of opportunities promote social inclusion and are important for building self-esteem and confidence particularly for vulnerable members of our community.
What are your key skills and responsibilities?
With an extensive background in the Human Services sector and qualifications in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) and Life Coaching, I’m able to meet participants where they’re at and help them devise strategies to get to where they want to be through discovering their inner strengths and hidden talents.
How many people work at your business?
We have 15 people employed at Common Ground Queensland.
What is your favourite place in the precinct?
The outside dining area at Kapsali’s at night overlooking the river and the Southbank Beach. I love how the lights shine on the water and the way people engage with the space.
What do you want BSB members to know about you or your business?
We successfully provide long-term housing to some of the most chronically homeless people in Brisbane. During 2013/14, 81% of formerly homeless tenants had remained in their tenancy for more than 12 months. This is a huge achievement considering some tenants had been homeless for many years.
What is something people wouldn’t know about your business?
We have two beautiful, well-appointed corporate function rooms for hire.
What has recently happened at your organisation?
We are expanding our function room hire business and are providing employment opportunities for our tenants to be a part of the expansion. Interested tenants applied for positions in the business which meant they had to develop their resume and a cover letter and go through an interview process which gave them some great skills for when they’re able to take the next step out into the workforce.
What have you learnt lately?
That people want to give but sometimes they just need to know how.
What do you hope to achieve in your industry?
To break the cycle of homelessness with meaningful employment, business and social enterprise opportunities.
What inspires you?
Being able to make a positive impact in the lives of those experiencing disadvantage.
What are your words of wisdom?
To always be on purpose
