About us

Delivering disability support services with care, passion and knowledge

Our Story

Vine and Branches was established to provide safe and inclusive support to enhance the lives of people with disabilities and their families/carers. We provide personalised care individual to each participant and their needs.

From our work in the community, we felt drawn to deliver participant centric services that were unique, heart centred and backed by a qualified and compassionate team. One where our clients feel inclusion and connection which leads them to thrive.

Our deep-rooted culture and religious backgrounds, inspire us to do good, to heal those around us and to do right for those who need it. We cannot turn our backs on those who need our support and care.

Our Mission & Work

To provide inclusive and personalised services with a difference to enhance the lives of people with disabilities and their families/carers.

We encourage our clients to make decisions that are right for them, right for their lives and we listen to their goals, ideas, and dreams. If they face challenges, we help them to receive the support they need so they can overcome them. We are always on hand to assist, support and care for them.

In providing these services, we have created policies and procedures to ensure that each step of the process is focused on our participants needs, support and safety. We meet with our clients, get to know them and really listen to their needs. These steps allow us to truly guide and support them, in the best way we can.

Our services are available to participants in Melbourne, and we aim to cater to Sydney, and other areas as time passes. We are committed to providing disability support and care with a difference, that is accessible to all.

Values

Inclusion

Creating a safe and inclusive environment for everyone

Individuality

Treating everyone with respect, care and acceptance

Integrity

Making the right decision and being a good role model

Joy

Filling each day with smiles, fun and happiness

Opportunities

Creating opportunities for fuller and happier lives

Ownership

Empowering people to make decisions for their lives

Our Team

We are a team of qualified and caring individuals who have come together to provide inclusive disability support services with a difference. Our staff have experience working with

clients with varying medical, physical and intellectual disabilities, and the participants needs are matched to the experience of our staff, for positive and holistic care.

We all hold current working with children checks, have undergone police checks and have qualifications in our areas of specialisation.

We speak a variety of languages including Arabic, Assyrian, Greek, Persian, Spanish, and Turkish.

Key Staff

Bishop Mar Benyamin Elya

CEO & Chair
Mar Benyamin Elya is the Bishop of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East and the founder of Vine and Branches Disability Services. His spiritual work and faith leads his commitment to delivering compassionate and heart centred disability services to the community. Bishop Mar Benyamin Elya holds the following qualifications: · Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Sydney, Current · Master of Theological Studies, Australian Catholic University, 2015 · Bachelor of Theology, Australian Catholic University, 2013 (Majoring in Business Management)

Hindreen Youhana

Director & Home Modifications Manager
Hindreen has extensive experience in engineering, project management, strategy, and managing large organisations. He is a caring, compassionate and self-motivated individual with a passion for disability care. Hindreen holds a Bachelor of Engineering, Civil Engineering from Victoria University. He is also a Director of an independent school and an appointed member of his local church.

Dr Ann Michael

Director
Dr Ann Michael draws on her extensive experience in healthcare, member of the community and a mother of three. She has 25+ years of experience as a doctor, ranging from working within hospitals and general practices.She holds a Fellowship of the Royal Australia College of General Practitioners. Dr Ann Michael prides herself on leading with commitment and compassion at the forefront.

David Jacob

Director
David is a registered nurse with AHPRA, with over 35-years of extensive perioperative experience in both leading public hospitals and private sectors, including working with children and adults with special needs. David has extensive background and special interest in quality, service improvement, accreditation process, education, and is a staunch advocate of vulnerable children and people with special needs. David is an alumnus of The University of Melbourne with Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Critical Nursing (PDACN), and a member of International Collaboration of Peri Anaesthesia Nurses (ICPAN). David is a committed husband, and passionate advocate of people with disability.

Marina Jacob

General Manager
Marina has over 10 years’ experience in disability services including hands on support. Marina designs and develops activities with innovation at the heart of all that she does. Marina is known for her compassion, people skills, and can-do attitude, but above all for being an advocate for her clients and people with disabilities. Marina is also an artist who has run multiple arts galleries, and this shines through in her innovative approach to providing services to people with disability. Marina has won a female artist award, which is a reminder of her advocacy for equality. She is a member of National Disability Practitioners (NDP).

Careers

Are you looking for a fulfilling career working in disability services? Are you passionate about making a difference and really connecting with people?

If you answered yes to the above questions and our mission and values alight with yours, please apply to join our team.

Send a short covering letter explaining what role you are interested in and why, along with you resume to Marina Jacob marina@vbds.com.au

We look forward to receiving your application shortly.

Care and passion

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