Bailey’s Woodworking Journey with NDIS Work, Life & Training Program

When 20-year-old NDIS participant Bailey Van Den Hooven invites friends into his home, one feature always stands out - a handcrafted bar made from recycled blackwood. What makes it special is that Bailey designed and built it himself through the BCR Communities NDIS Work, Life & Training (WLT) program.

After a serious road accident at 15 changed his life, Bailey faced years of rehabilitation and learning new ways to live independently. Through WLT, he was able to reconnect with a lifelong passion for woodworking and turn it into practical, real-world skills.

Working alongside BCR staff at the Activities Hub, Bailey developed his craftsmanship, problem-solving and planning skills while bringing his ambitious vision - Bailey’s Bar - to life. Week by week, he built confidence, learned to use tools and materials safely, and saw what was possible when given the right support.

Since completing the bar, Bailey has continued to attend the BCR Activities Hub - he has refined his techniques, worked with different timbers and tools, and grown more confident in his craftsmanship.

In 2025, Bailey began creating handmade charcuterie boards - carefully designed, beautifully finished and made with the same attention to detail that defined his bar project. Then came a major milestone. On Christmas Eve, Bailey delivered five handcrafted charcuterie boards to his very first customer.

It was a proud and meaningful milestone - not just because he had completed a sale, but because it marked a step towards something bigger. Bailey is now working steadily towards his dream of running his own online business, where he hopes to sell his handcrafted charcuterie boards and other woodworking creations.

Supported by the team at BCR Communities, Bailey continues to refine his craft, explore new designs and learn what it takes to turn his passion into a small business.