Who Is Values in Action & Why do we exist?
Values in Action Association’s (ViAA) main purpose is to provide opportunities to learn about Social Role Valorisation (SRV). SRV is a theory by Wolf Wolfensberger that says people are much more likely to experience the ‘good things in life’, such as dignity, respect, meaningful relationships and a sense of belonging, if they hold socially valued roles. SRV strategies can be used to support people who experience devaluation or marginalisation to experience the good things in life.
The people that connect with ViAA include people with disability, their family members, carers and supporters and a range of workers and human service organisations. SRV is also relevant to people with mental health challenges, older people, refugees, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and people at risk of homelessness.
ViAA is a Queensland based, independent grass roots organisation. We do notreceive funding and we are run by volunteers.
The people that connect with ViAA include people with disability, their family members, carers and supporters and a range of workers and human service organisations. SRV is also relevant to people with mental health challenges, older people, refugees, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, and people at risk of homelessness.
ViAA is a Queensland based, independent grass roots organisation. We do notreceive funding and we are run by volunteers.
What does Values in Action do?
- Run SRV theory workshops and courses
- Encourage people who use SRV to connect with one another
- Create and share resources about SRV
- Mentor people who want to better understand SRV
- Support the work of like-minded organisations, such as ASRVA (Australian Social Role Valorisation Association).
Management Committee
Danielle Mason – President
Danielle was first exposed to SRV when working as a support worker for a small disability service in Brisbane. SRV has remained relevant and useful across a range of service settings and roles, including in her most recent work role with Community Resource Unit. Danielle has been a committee member of Values in Action since 2016 and has co-taught alongside Jane Sherwin during Towards a Better Life workshops.
Danielle was first exposed to SRV when working as a support worker for a small disability service in Brisbane. SRV has remained relevant and useful across a range of service settings and roles, including in her most recent work role with Community Resource Unit. Danielle has been a committee member of Values in Action since 2016 and has co-taught alongside Jane Sherwin during Towards a Better Life workshops.
Ricky Esterquest – Vice President
Ricky is an American, currently resident in Townsville with his wife and two young boys. Since 2015 Ricky has been an SRV co-teacher, facilitator, PASSING team member, and a continual student and practitioner of SRV. Ricky continues to use SRV as a guide for his own values and to uncover his own assumptions, in formal service evaluations, for business decision making, as a recruitment tool, and as a developmental/training methodology.
Ricky is an American, currently resident in Townsville with his wife and two young boys. Since 2015 Ricky has been an SRV co-teacher, facilitator, PASSING team member, and a continual student and practitioner of SRV. Ricky continues to use SRV as a guide for his own values and to uncover his own assumptions, in formal service evaluations, for business decision making, as a recruitment tool, and as a developmental/training methodology.
Kellie Derham – Secretary
Kellie was first introduced to SRV in University in the 90s and later completed formal SRV training in 2012. She has worked with people with disability in various roles for over 20 years, predominantly working in small, family governed services. The 2022-23 year is Kellie’s third year on the ViAA committee.
Kellie was first introduced to SRV in University in the 90s and later completed formal SRV training in 2012. She has worked with people with disability in various roles for over 20 years, predominantly working in small, family governed services. The 2022-23 year is Kellie’s third year on the ViAA committee.
Natalie Kurth – Treasurer
Natalie Kurth is a Brisbane local who has worked in the disability sector for over 15 years. Currently engaged as a Support Coordinator with Staffing Options for Community Services, Natalie works with individuals and families using a self directed framework, upholding the natural authority that people have over their lives. Natalie first learnt of SRV studying sociology at university. The SRV lens is and continues to be one of the most valuable tools when working with people, and when assessing, challenging and facilitating change at both a macro and micro level.
Natalie Kurth is a Brisbane local who has worked in the disability sector for over 15 years. Currently engaged as a Support Coordinator with Staffing Options for Community Services, Natalie works with individuals and families using a self directed framework, upholding the natural authority that people have over their lives. Natalie first learnt of SRV studying sociology at university. The SRV lens is and continues to be one of the most valuable tools when working with people, and when assessing, challenging and facilitating change at both a macro and micro level.
Neil Barringham – Director
Neil Barringham first encountered SRV when he and his wife became involved in responding to people with mental health challenges in their locality. SRV has been a guiding reference point as he spent time with people in his home and local community, in peer support settings, in Citizen advocacy, in community education and as he established and managed A Place to Belong for 25 years.
Neil Barringham first encountered SRV when he and his wife became involved in responding to people with mental health challenges in their locality. SRV has been a guiding reference point as he spent time with people in his home and local community, in peer support settings, in Citizen advocacy, in community education and as he established and managed A Place to Belong for 25 years.
Sophie Wiggans – Director
Sophie lives in Brisbane and came across SRV in her role as a Systems Advocate at Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI). Sophie has a family member who lives with disability and has worked alongside people with disability throughout her career as a social worker. Sophie is passionate about breaking down the systemic barriers that impact people with disability.
Sophie lives in Brisbane and came across SRV in her role as a Systems Advocate at Queensland Advocacy for Inclusion (QAI). Sophie has a family member who lives with disability and has worked alongside people with disability throughout her career as a social worker. Sophie is passionate about breaking down the systemic barriers that impact people with disability.
Anita Speed - Director
Anita lives on Bribie Island, and was first introduced to SRV 20 years ago, as a way to support her son to live a meaningful life in his community. Using the SRV lens has been integral in supporting Anita and her family to seek, create and uphold valued roles, and imagine an inclusive and typical life for her son. This has influenced decisions and actions around the role of her son’s paid support, home, work and social life. Anita is interested in how social and business values can intersect, and has worked across the disability and corporates sectors. Her son lives in his own home in Brisbane.
Anita lives on Bribie Island, and was first introduced to SRV 20 years ago, as a way to support her son to live a meaningful life in his community. Using the SRV lens has been integral in supporting Anita and her family to seek, create and uphold valued roles, and imagine an inclusive and typical life for her son. This has influenced decisions and actions around the role of her son’s paid support, home, work and social life. Anita is interested in how social and business values can intersect, and has worked across the disability and corporates sectors. Her son lives in his own home in Brisbane.
Current EventsWe are pleased to announce our workshops for 2023. See our Current Workshops Page for further information.
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Membership
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We acknowledge the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, peoples on whose land we live and work, and their continuing connection to land, waterways and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.
