Shaping tomorrow

A Personal Futures Journey

People at a futures planning workshop

What is Shaping Tomorrow - a personal futures journey?

Shaping Tomorrow is a family leadership program. Families experience the five components of a Personal Futures Journey and how to support their family member to create a life vision and personalised, practical pathway. The program is important during times of big transition and explores home and work life, friendships, education, health, community activities and how to develop a network of informal support to complement more formal supports.

Who is it for?

  • Families of young people (15–25) transitioning to adult life
  • Families of people preparing to live independently
  • Families moving to another state or location
  • Any major life change where families or individuals experience significant disruption to home, friends, work or community
Person with disability with lots of life possibilities
People talking around table

What does it involve?

  • Two workshops – each day held 4 weeks apart
  • Two family members can attend together
  • Take home workshop notes plus practical handbooks for workshop attendees and the family member with disability
  • Individual handover sessions
  • Relationships Map and Network of Support
  • Action strategies to achieve a life vision
  • Tips to integrate strategies with NDIS plans and support coordination

A person with disability attends family workshops as they are able. Their life preferences can also be sought through individual meetings and through trusted friends and supports.

Why is it important?

Shaping Tomorrow empowers families and people with disability to:

  • Shape their own life path
  • Strengthen natural and community supports
  • Make confident, informed decisions
  • Build a life of meaning, inclusion, and belonging
Disabled person finding their path and community in life

Videos about planning

What is personal futures planning?

Learn about how a personal futures plan helps people with disabilities navigate life transitions by identifying their strengths, goals, and vision for a good life, supported by family, friends, and facilitators.

Planning for the Future - Meg’s Journey

Learn about how Meg, a 41-year-old with Down syndrome, uses a personal futures plan to prepare for life changes as her parents retire, building independence through work, housing, and community support.

Planning for Life After School - Ben’s Journey

Learn about how Ben, a Year 12 student with autism, uses a personal futures plan to prepare for adulthood, setting goals around friendships, art, employment, and independent living with his circle of support.

Stay in touch

Join the Valued Lives Community

Get on our mailing list to receive a monthly newsletter filled with community updates, news, stories, events and helpful resources.

Join Now