Our Story
Skills for Independence was established by four co-founders who shared a common vision: that people living with spinal cord injury should have access to high-quality, peer-led Active Rehabilitation courses in Australia that can help to build confidence, independence and opportunity.
Co-founders Tim Rushby-Smith and David Ball appreciate first hand the transformative experience of peer-led, immersive, and tailored instruction and activity that groups of people learning to live with major life change can have. Coming to Australia, they recognised that people with spinal cord injury had limited access to similar opportunities that they had experienced in the UK and shared a vision to develop an Australian approach.
Together with Larnie Ball and Dr Gillean Hilton, they combined lived experience with expertise in program development, clinical practice, research, evaluation and partnerships to establish Skills for Independence. Working alongside people with lived experience, rehabilitation services, disability organisations and community partners, they have adapted and grown an evidence-informed Active Rehabilitation model that reflects the Australian context.
Today, Skills for Independence designs, develops and delivers peer-led education, training and support for people with spinal cord injury and other similar physical disabilities. Our programs are led by trained peers who combine lived experience with practical knowledge to help participants—and the people who support them—build the skills, confidence and connections to live well.
Skills for Independence is a registered not-for-profit organisation governed by an experienced Board of Directors committed to ensuring our work remains accountable, evidence-informed and centred on the people and communities we serve.