The Holt Bolt program at TriCare Stafford Lakes is bridging generations, giving young people of all abilities real-world work experience while enriching the community.
At TriCare’s Stafford Lakes Retirement Community, something wonderful is happening. Every Thursday morning, a group of bright, enthusiastic young people arrive, ready to roll up their sleeves and get to work. But these aren’t just any workers – they’re part of The Holt Bolt School Leavers Employment Support Program, a life-changing initiative that helps young people with disabilities gain real-world work experience. And let’s just say, the TriCare residents have taken them in as their own.
It all started with a simple conversation. Andrea Lambie, the Village Manager at Stafford Lakes, recalls the day Toni Sutherland walked into her office. Toni, a mentor with The Holt Bolt, was looking for local area opportunities for a group of school leavers to gain work experience.
“She explained how the program works and we spoke about the kinds of tasks they could help with, and soon enough, we had three young people joining us every week.”
Now, the program has grown to four participants, and the impact has been enormous – not just for The Holt Bolt trainees, but for the entire Stafford Lakes Retirement Community.
What is The Holt Bolt School Leaver Employment Support Program Program?
Originally starting as a personal training facility, The Holt Bolt has evolved into something much bigger. Offering exercise physiology sports programs and personal training, the NDIS-approved service is also dedicated to helping young people with disabilities transition from school into the workforce. Over two years, participants develop essential life and employment skills in real-world settings, setting them up for greater independence and future job opportunities.
Their mission is to identify the talents of the people they work with and create pathways and opportunities for them to share their talents and passions with their community.
Each week, Holt Bolt trainees are placed in various workplaces, including cafés, opportunity/ thrifts shops, and businesses like TriCare, where they get hands-on experience in different roles. For many, this is the first step toward long-term employment, and as Andrea points out, “They just bring so much joy and energy to the place.”
Meet The Holt Bolters
At Stafford Lakes, The Holt Bolt participants take on a range of jobs – and it turns out they’ve got some serious skills.
Take Hannah, for example. “She’ll try anything,” Andrea says. “She’s been cleaning the fountain, planting flowers, working in the salon – she’s just so happy to give everything a go.”
Then there’s Cooper, who quickly revealed a knack for attention to detail. “On his very first day, he was spotting all the fire exits and defibrillators. He just remembers everything,” Andrea says. “So now, I’m thinking of getting him involved in some of our safety audits because he’s an exceptional eye for detail.” He is excellent with supporting our office administration work.
There’s Tommy who helps in the café, serving coffees and chatting with the community. He is passionate about delivery excellent customer service and with his social personality has made him a hit with the residents.
Josh is the newest recruit. He’s a car and fitness enthusiast and really has enjoyed hand on tasks and working with tools.
The ripple effect
What makes this program truly special is the impact it has on both sides of the generational divide. For The Holt Bolt trainees, it’s a chance to build confidence, develop skills, and gain a sense of independence. But for the residents, it’s a source of joy, connection, and a reminder of the vibrancy of youth.
“Our residents absolutely love them,” Andrea says. “They stop and chat, they share stories. It’s not just about the work they do – it’s about the relationships they build. Having young people around creates such a wonderful energy in the community.”
Beyond that, the trainees are genuinely very helpful in our busy environment. “They take on real jobs,” Andrea points out. “They’re collecting bottles and cans for recycling, putting together sales brochures, delivering mail, helping in the café – they’re making a real contribution to our community at Stafford Lakes .”
Looking to the future
As the current cohort continues on their two-year program, we look forward to seeing the team grow their passions and gain skills for their future employment. Programs like this aren’t just about training – they’re about connection, belonging, and proving that everyone has something valuable to contribute. And at Stafford Lakes, that’s something they’ve embraced wholeheartedly.
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