Safeguarding the future conference - Canberra, 23-24 May 2024

Sarah Faulkner

Sarah Faulkner will be presenting at the Safeguarding the Future conference. Her presentation is called Building bridges to neighbourhood: The role of neighbourhoods as sources of social connection, safeguarding, and support.

Portrait of Sarah Faulkner

Sarah Faulkner is the Project Lead for the Neighbourhood Circles Project in Adelaide, which aims to make neighbourhoods more inclusive, welcoming, and accessible spaces of belonging.

Previously, Sarah was a Circles Facilitator with the Community Living Project. In this role, she supported individuals with disability, alongside their families, friends, and allies, to acquire more valued social roles and freely given relationships in the community.

Sarah recently completed her PhD in Sociology and Human Geography at the University of South Australia. She currently lives in the Adelaide Hills with her husband, daughter Darcy, and dog Jimmy.

Building bridges to neighbourhood: The role of neighbourhoods as sources of social connection, safeguarding, and support

Being connected to your neighbourhood has many benefits. However, many barriers prevent people with disability from connecting with neighbourhood spaces, groups, and initiatives.

In this presentation, Sarah Faulkner will describe the benefits of being part of one’s neighbourhood. She’ll explain how neighbourhood connectedness can act as a critical safeguard against social isolation, loneliness, and ill-health.

You will come away with ideas on how to

  • support a friend, family member, or key loved one to engage more deeply with their neighbourhood
  • act as the bridge to increased neighbourhood connection.

Learn about the other conference speakers and their presentations

Pre-conference webinars

Main conference

  • The secrets of fabulous skin self-directionMargaret Ward
  • Never too late to get a lifeJosey McMahon and Cathy McMahon
  • Building bridges to neighbourhoodSarah Faulkner
  • Safeguarding a Micro Enterprise for the futureHelen Neale
  • Who is the person behind the behaviour, and what do they need?Kane Morgan
  • It’s a long gameAnn Greer, Valen Litster, and Sally Aubrey
  • The importance of trust and relationship in supported decision-makingKim Roots
  • A sibling’s perspective – Rebecca Altaffer
  • What happens when I cark it? – Linda Hughes
  • Safeguarding Isaac’s good life through a Service for OneSheree Henley
  • More speaker details coming soon!

About the Safeguarding the Future conference

  • Thursday-Friday, 23-24 May 2024
  • 9:00 am – 5:00 pm both days
  • Hotel Realm in Canberra
  • Optional networking event on Thursday evening
  • Three pre-conference webinars included in the main conference ticket
  • Pre-conference webinar-only tickets are also available if you can’t attend the main event
  • Flexible pricing is available for people with disability and their families from $0.00 to $225.00
  • People with disability, their families, friends, and allies, support workers, education professionals, health professionals, and everyone interested in safeguarding the future of people with disability are welcome to attend.

Register to attend the conference and/or the pre-conference webinars

Safeguarding the future conference

Return to the main conference page