After two years of operation, a Highlands home is finally full.

Dadirri Disability Services’ Oak House in Moss Vale is now home to six men who are able to live independently.

House manager Dawson Grennan said the men had lived in various group homes or with their parents before finding their place at Oak House.

“While there are carers here 24-hours, it’s a skeleton crew of highly trained staff,” he said.

“We’re more visitors to their house who help them ‘do’ rather than ‘do for’.”

The men have access to their own gym and music room, and all help with washing and cooking meals.

“We treat them like grown-ups, they all have roles in the house,” Mr Grennan said.

“Two of the men have jobs, and the other four visit day programs and are completing training.”

The core values of Dadirri Disability Services help ensure clients can live independently and build communication skills for confidence in the community.

The Oak House group often go on trips to see live music or visit other cities.

“This allows the community to interact with them as well, it’s a good opportunity for them to be seen and for the community to realise they are there,” Mr Grennan said.

Each resident has their own space, with walk-in wardrobe and bathroom. They have all contributed to artwork around the house and often hang out together in the communal areas.

“We don’t make these houses look like a hospital, because they deserve to live in a regular house so they have a home,” Mr Grennan said.

“They are like a surrogate family, and their extended families always really support us as well, giving their time and funds.

“It’s most important that this feels like their family, and that they have their freedoms as well – to make this as close to regular life as possible, and provide them with opportunities than anyone else would expect.”

The house is always looking for volunteers to come and spend time with the residents, be it cutting their hair, gardening or hanging out.

FInd out more at http://www.dadirri.org.au/.