Get to Know MSWA Board Member: Benjamin Jardine

What motivated you to join the MSWA board?

Three years ago, I stopped working in the disability sector when I was given the opportunity to become CEO of the Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre. While I love my job, I was still looking for an opportunity to give back to the disability sector and not lose my connection to the wonderful people and organisations that do such an amazing job every day. I had always admired the work of MSWA, particularly the way MSWA staff are always committed to supporting the person, not just the task they’re there to do. Everything from connecting people to other support services to ensuring people have the equipment they need to thrive, it makes such a difference. So, when the opportunity to nominate to the Board came up, I jumped at the chance!

How does your career background, set you up for your role as a Board Member?

My whole career has been dedicated to supporting people experiencing disadvantage, health conditions and other challenges that get in the way of the life they want to live. Having started my career as a Speech Pathologist, I have a deep understanding of how disability can impact almost every aspect of a person’s life, and how important having the right supports can be.  Every day I try to bring to the MSWA Board that practical experience and ensure that what we set out to do is informed by what really happens in everyday practice.

For the past decade or so, I’ve been lucky enough to be involved in some major projects, from taking Silver Chain’s health and aged-care services nationwide and more than tripling the number of people it supports to guiding Ability Centre’s journey to launching a world-leading early intervention service for babies at risk of developmental disabilities. That experience will serve us well as we take our “Life not Limits” message out across WA and try to ensure that no one faces life with a neurological condition alone.

I am also very involved in the international social value movement which is all about measuring and demonstrating the positive impact of services on people's lives through measures like improved well-being, increased social inclusion, and reduced carer burden. This information is crucial for securing funding for our services, but more importantly, for making us accountable for showing that what we are doing is truly making a difference in people’s lives.

What is your favourite memory or achievement as part of the MSWA Board?

While it’s only been just over two years for me, MSWA has done so much over that time! I’m proud of so many things but the most exciting thing for me has been our renewed commitment to “co-design”. Co-design is all about ensuring that MSWA doesn’t do things for people with neurological conditions without involving people with neurological conditions. After all, who knows better what is needed and what would make a difference than the people living with it every day?

Thanks to our amazing Client Co-design committee we recently redesigned our massage program to increase accessibility and we’re exploring new and exciting ways to deliver support in the community. And that’s only the beginning!

We’re also making sure that people with neurological conditions are involved in everything we do, from our lottery draws to our amazing “Life not Limits” marketing campaigns.

It’s a good reminder actually – if you have any feedback on what you think MSWA should be doing more or less of, let us know. We here for you and we’re always looking for new opportunities to make a difference.

When you have time off, what would we find you doing?

Time off outside of work is so important! I often find my best ideas come when I’m not thinking about work at all. When I’ve had time to recharge and refresh.

My go-to’s are Karate, which is amazing for discipline and focus, hopping on my mountain bike,  which gets me away from the hustle and bustle, and settling down with a trashy science fiction novel, which is the perfect antidote to a day full of serious business meetings!

These activities help me recharge and bring fresh perspectives to my work on the board. Karate, in particular, keeps me mentally and physically sharp, which is essential for effective leadership.

If you could imagine one thing for MSWA in 10 years, what would it be? 

It sounds really simple, but if there’s one thing I wish we can ensure, it is that no person living with a neurological condition faces their condition and the challenges it brings alone. That means from early diagnosis throughout the ups and downs of your journey, MSWA is there. Sometimes it might be with a kind word and a cup of tea, other times with a full range of nursing and allied health and sometimes with nothing more than a message of “we get it”,  but everyone deserves to know they’ve got someone in their corner. In ten years I imagine every person in WA with a neurological condition paired up with an MSWA guide who will help you find the supports you need, adapt to challenges along the way and stay focused on what really matters to you, whether that’s conquering an ultramarathon or spending more time with the grandies.

Achieving this vision won’t be easy. We face significant challenges from the complexities of the NDIS to the challenges of reaching everyone across our vast state, but we can do it, together.

Is there anything you would like to add?

I’ll wrap it up there,  but I’ll just say that I'm truly passionate about the work of MSWA, and I encourage everyone to get involved and help us make a difference.