New director at BallyCara’s Sona Institute
BallyCara’s Sona Institute is looking to build new partnerships with organisations across the aged and disability care sector under the leadership of its new director David Edwards.

BallyCara’s Sona Institute is looking to build new partnerships with organisations across the aged and disability care sector under the leadership of its new director David Edwards.
Mr Edwards comes to the role with a background working for various profit and not for profit organisations including in the disability sector.

His roles have included disability business manager at Slater and Gordon and NDIS project manager for the Endeavour Foundation.
The Sona Institute supports organisations to identify and build on hidden strengths and resources, empower staff and create a culture of happiness.
It uses a service delivery methodology developed by BallyCara in 2011, which arose from a review of the Brisbane-based provider’s lifestyle philosophy.
BallyCara says the system is based on excellence in service and culture building.
“It’s not a complicated model,” Mr Edwards told Community Care Review on Wednesday.
“It’s quite commonsense and it’s really about the philosophy that your clients, your customers and your staff perform better if they’re happy.”
Mr Edwards says at a time when the resilience of the aged care sector is being severely tested, the Sona approach is more relevant than ever.
He believes working with the Sona Institute will be particularly beneficial for small to medium providers.
“It think this will resonate with many providers and it’s probably well suited to medium to small providers, because they haven’t got the time or resources to develop a methodology,” he says.
Mr Edwards hopes to use his position to enable the institute to reach out organisations who are seeking onsite advice and mentoring.
The Sona methodology has been the focus of a recent study by the Queensland of University of Technology, and the institute is also on the lookout for more research partners.
Mr Edwards is also keen to capitalise on overseas interest to take the Sona methodology further afield.
“I see this as a really good opportunity,” he says. “I look forward to continuing the fine work that has already been carried out and the new opportunities that are evolving for the institute post pandemic.”
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