This May, Status is shining a spotlight on Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, collectively known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), in recognition of IBD Awareness Month.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗕𝗗?
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are the two main types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). It affects the digestive system and can cause a range of symptoms that impact everyday activities.

Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are lifelong conditions. People may experience periods with minimal or no symptoms, known as remission, as well as periods when symptoms become more active, referred to as flare‑ups.

• More than 1 in 3 people have symptoms for over a year before receiving a diagnosis
• It takes longer than 5 years to diagnose over 10% of patients
• It takes over 5 years before 50% of people have their IBD symptoms under control
• Over 180,000 Australians have a current diagnosis

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗜𝗕𝗗
Recently, a group of staff from Status Western Australia completed the IBD in the Workplace training, strengthening their understanding of the physical and mental impacts of IBD, workplace rights for Participant’s living with the condition, and practical ways to support Participants transitioning into suitable employment.

As part of the training, the team also took part in an interactive experience focused on building a support network, managing the stress and physical symptoms of IBD, and making informed decisions about disclosing a diagnosis and transitioning into the workforce.

This initiative is led by Chad (pictured), Employment Services Area Manager for the West in Western Australia, who has lived with Crohn’s disease for the past 7 years and brings valuable lived experience to his role. Employment Consultant Holley is also passionate about the initiative, as she is living with Crohn’s and has firsthand experience navigating the day‑to‑day challenges associated with the condition.

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗹𝗱 𝗜𝗕𝗗 𝗗𝗮𝘆
On 19 May, staff across Adelaide and Perth will be observing World IBD Day, with our Western Australian team also holding an internal raffle to raise funds for Crohn’s & Colitis Australia thanks to a generously donated signed poster from the West Coast Eagles!

We are proud to continue building our knowledge and skills to better support our Participants, including a young Participant in Kwinana living with Crohn’s, who has shared how meaningful it is to see their provider leading education, awareness, and celebration of the condition.

We are committed to making employment accessible for everyone. If you or someone you know is living with IBD, contact us to learn how we can support the journey into employment.

Veronica came to Status Kwinana looking for the right support to return to work. Working closely with her Employment Coach, Doreen, they began exploring long term employment options that suited Veronica’s strengths and experience.

To help build confidence and refresh her skills, Veronica enrolled in Pivot Training’s Skills for Education and Employment (SEE) Program. She brought valuable experience as a truck driver and traffic controller, and was keen to return to employment. However, she needed a role that was less physically demanding.

Through strong employer connections, the team was notified about a vacant Bus Aide role, supporting children travelling to and from school. The team recognised this as a good fit for Veronica and discussed the opportunity with her. While this was not an industry she had previously considered, Veronica was open to giving it a go.

As a grandmother with an electric personality, Veronica quickly showed she had the warmth and patience needed to support children and help create a positive, welcoming environment during their daily school transport.

The Status team supported Veronica throughout the application process and worked closely with the employer to arrange interview adjustments. Knowing Veronica was feeling nervous ahead of the interview, the team made sure the employer understood she may feel anxious at the start.

Doreen also helped Veronica prepare by organising interview clothes and meeting her at the interview location beforehand to offer reassurance. By the time the interview began, Veronica felt confident enough to attend on her own, and she performed very well. She later shared that even if she had not been offered the role, the experience had already helped build her readiness for future opportunities.

Shortly after the interview, Veronica received a call inviting her to take part in a work trial. One week later, following a successful trial, she was offered the role.

“I’d like to thank Doreen from the bottom of my heart for helping me find my forever job.”

We are proud to have supported Veronica through her training and employment journey, leading to meaningful work that aligns with her strengths, experience and interests.

This Easter, Status Clarkson hosted a "Create Your Own Garden" event that brought together our Inclusive Employment Australia Participants.

Participants explored a range of creative activities including diamond art, where they placed sparkling rhinestones onto bookmarks and key rings, as well as potting plants using cuttings generously brought in from a Participant’s own garden. Others chose to paint and assemble puzzles, with all activities inspired by the theme of 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘨𝘢𝘳𝘥𝘦𝘯𝘴.

As they worked on their art projects, many Participants shared how engaging in art has supported their wellbeing and provided a calming, focused activity. They expressed that focusing on creating something beautiful provided a calming effect, helping them feel more relaxed and centered.

The event was about more than art. It provided space for connection, relaxation, and self-expression. By the end of the day, Participants left with a sense of achievement, a piece of their own garden to take home, and a renewed appreciation for the therapeutic power of creativity.

March celebrates International Women’s Day, and what better way to mark the occasion than with a paint and sip!

Participants took part in a relaxed paint-by-numbers session accompanied by non-alcoholic beverages, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere for all attendees.

Participating in creative activities like painting has numerous benefits for mental health, including reducing stress, enhancing mood, and promoting mindfulness. It offers a wonderful opportunity for self-expression and social connection, which are essential for overall well-being, helping Participants build confidence and skills that can support their employment goals.

This month some of our Status offices held Time to Talk day events to encourage conversations about mental health, especially around topics that can sometimes feel difficult to talk about.

Participants from our Workforce Australia – Transition to Work program and our Inclusive Employment Australia (IEA) program, came together for the events, which provided a safe and supportive space to talk openly about mental health.

Status Clarkson hosted an interactive quiz event that encouraged conversations while building awareness and knowledge.

By hosting a quiz, our Participants were able to:
• Learn about mental health facts and issues
• Reduce stigma in a supportive environment
• Share experiences with their peers
• Discover helpful resources available to them
• Challenge common myths and misconceptions
• Understand the importance of early intervention and seeking help

After the quiz, everyone enjoyed lunch together and continued informal discussions about what they had learned.

At Status Joondalup, Participants enjoyed a relaxed wellbeing session where they could unwind and get creative by creating collages of items that support their wellbeing, while connecting and sharing food with each another. The activities helped highlight how taking time for mindful moments can support wellbeing and make it easier to start conversations about mental health in an informal, low-pressure way.

Participants left each event with greater awareness about mental health and the resources available to them.