International Day of People with Disability - Crossroads Robina

International Day of People with Disability – Wednesday, 3 December 

“Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress.” -  2025 theme. 

 This article is not what I expected to write. I had a few different ideas about how to open it. Some clever story angles I had planned on using. A trick or two up my sleeve to engage you, the reader.  

But the more I reflect on my recent experiences at Crossroads at Newlife Robina, the more I'm challenged, humbled, and feel inadequate to tell a story that deserves so much more time than I can offer it here.  

Officially, Crossroads is a “social engagement and capacity building program for adults living with a disability”. What it is in practice is far more profound.  

Every Friday, volunteers come together at 4 Greenwich Court, Robina to love and serve a community of adults of all ages living with disability, their carers and family members. From an overall team of more than 70, dozens of volunteers from all walks of life will arrive early each week – some from 5:30am – in their distinctive blue polo shirts to set up and get prepared. Many will stay until 2pm to help pack up. It is community and love in action. 

For anyone who knows the BlueCare story, the origin of Crossroads would be no surprise. Olive Smith – the first Blue Nurse – founded Crossroads with her husband, Rev Edward Smith. The pioneering couple had two sons, Phillip and Stephen. When Stephen was unable to attend the local youth group with his older brother due to the lack of knowledge and experience in navigating the care of people with disabilities, Olive knew something must be done.  

Crossroads was born. 

And so, for more than 30 years, a community of people have gathered weekly in Robina. Some come for lunch, some come for worship, some for the social aspect, and some just to get out of the house. But everyone – from volunteers to participants to carers – keeps coming for the community.  

---

Shanna is currently a medical student. Mel is a support worker. Both are standing ready at the registration desk from 10am, welcoming each person who comes through the gate with a high-five and a smile. And while the affectionate term for participants may be “Crossroaders”, each person is known by name.  

“It's so inspiring and I feel like I've gained so much wisdom from everyone in the courtyard, whether that's actual crossroads volunteers or their carers or family members,” says Shanna. “Everyone has a story to share. And as a young person, I feel like I have learnt so much from being involved in this community.” 

Not content to just volunteer, Shanna’s enthusiasm for Crossroads has spread to her fellow med students. “I also brought along one of my friends from my medicine degree. I was telling her about where I was doing my volunteering, and she was like, “Oh, that sounds really cool. Let me come along.” And now she's coming back when class doesn't clash.” 

Mel has been coming since she discovered Crossroads while working on a personal support qualification. The Crossroads program is recognised for the practical experience component of the certificate, but it was the people who drew her back. “This place is so much fun. These people teach you to get over yourself. They really do,” says Mel. “The stuff that we go on about, some people here have got high challenges and they never complain. It's not about them. They want to give out wherever they can. And that's a life lesson well worth everybody learning.” 

---

 

 

 

 

"Best service of the week."

Before I sit down with Ashleigh Robinson, Crossroads Coordinator at Newlife Robina, I hear this refrain from more than one person. And while she will say the same thing to anyone who mentions Crossroads, it is clear after just a minute or two of conversation that this is more than just a program for Ashleigh.  

“What I love about Crossroads is it's been running for thirty-one years and the spirit of it has not changed,” says Ashleigh. “So after thirty-one years, you step in to this place and it's still a place that values authentic belonging, real community, real love.” 

While community is a big driver, the heart behind Crossroads remains centred in Jesus. “A big part of our program is hospitality. We do that really well. But the central focus has always been anchored in Christ - that people from all walks of life can have an experience with the living God. And we do it in such a way that's translatable to people with varying needs, in terms of their physical or emotional needs, or their intellectual needs.” 

Another common refrain in volunteering is that volunteers feel as though they receive far more than they give out. While it’s certainly true at Crossroads, Ashleigh’s understanding of it is as much about learning humility as it is being of service.  

“So many of us have had this heart, you know - and it's a beautiful heart - “I want to come and serve our community, I want to give back to the less fortunate”. There are these noble themes and that's beautiful. But what we find time and time again is that those of us who intellectually we may feel it as if we've got it together, are very quickly humbled by people with a disability who just take Jesus at his word, purely and simply. You don't have to strive. We don't have to work. We are simply sons and daughters. And I think so many of us that volunteer or work at Crossroads realise that we've got a lot to learn, and a lot of these guys are the ones to teach us, about loving well. Stopping long enough to have a real conversation, that someone would be seen and known.  And also that our worth is not dictated by what we can do, but by simply who we are in Christ.” 

While the well-trained and well-drilled army of volunteers help to create an environment where community can flourish, it is the participants themselves who truly embody and carry the spirit of Crossroads. And as rewarding as volunteering can be, Ashleigh is well aware that the unique context of serving people with disabilities may not be for everyone.  

“We always get people to trial Crossroads, just to come along and see. We have had a number of people who have come that say they’d love to volunteer. And it's just too much and they find this is not for them. For some people, it's quite overwhelming and it's too much for them to process, and that's okay.”  

“Other people click really quickly. They say, “These are my people, this is where I feel at home.” And there are other people that need a bit of a journey. It's quite confronting at first. We might put them in areas of volunteering where they're comfortable and not too far outside of their comfort zone. So that might be our kitchen or set up or pack down. There are varying roles and it's a journey. But there are volunteers who we've seen along the way come along terrified. And now they're leading teams, and now they're some of our key pastoral care team. It's beautiful to watch.” 

---

 Crossroads is many things. A program. A community. A ministry. One of the biggest takeaways is that Crossroads is a place of safety and belonging. In a world that can feel indifferent, inhospitable – or even hostile - to people who experience disability, Crossroads is a place to be known, to be loved and to belong. The feeling of welcome for everyone who walks through the gates is palpable. I had hoped to just observe from the edges, but was drawn in by the warmth and hospitality of the Crossroaders – participants and volunteers alike.  

“What does love look like? It has the hands to help others. It has the feet to hasten to the poor and needy. It has eyes to see misery and want. It has the ears to hear the sighs and sorrows of men. That is what love looks like.” - St Augustine