11 years ago Trevor & Doraine established Respite Tours at Lawson in the Blue Mountains of NSW, a registered charity, to provide an alternative to centre based respite care for people with acquired brain injury and intellectual disability. This provides holiday tours and day trips. Respite Tours has become so popular that they are always fully booked with long waiting list.
Another of Trevor & Doraine’s community projects is the Younger People In Nursing Homes Project. This project provides two social and recreational programs a week for approximately 40 younger people that currently reside in aged care facilities. With little or no access to age appropriate activities the Younger People In Nursing Homes Project provides a consumer driven program. As the participants decide the direction and activities of the program, this always ensure it meets their needs and remains age appropriate.
As there has been no available government funding to date, Trevor turned to his trade as a kitchen manufacturer to personally fund these programs. He established GWH Kitchens in Lawson and gives 100% of profits from this business to fund these community programs.
Trevor & Doraine have personally inspired other members of the Blue Mountains business community to contribute to these projects and has established community partnerships with approximately 40 local businesses that now help support Respite Tours and The Younger People In Nursing Homes Project. Trevor was also the winner of the 2007 Blue Mountains Business Advantage Awards, Employer Of The Year and the 2008 Blue Mountains Business Advantage Awards, Community Contribution after being unanimously nominated by his staff.