Growing up, our next guest wanted to be a tattoo artist more than anything. But 20 years ago, everything changed when he experienced vision loss and after years of retraining and upskilling and experiencing various difficulties with unemployment as a jobseeker with a disability, he landed a role as a youth worker and mentor with the Top Blokes Foundation. His name is Ian Clements and I'm very pleased to be joined by him right now. Ian, welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very much for your time today.

Growing up, our next guest wanted to be a tattoo artist more than anything. But 20 years ago, everything changed when he experienced vision loss and after years of retraining and upskilling and experiencing various difficulties with unemployment as a jobseeker with a disability, he landed a role as a youth worker and mentor with the Top Blokes Foundation. His name is Ian Clements and I'm very pleased to be joined by him right now. Ian, welcome to Talking Vision. Thank you very much for your time today.

Thank you Sarah.

Thank you Sarah.

Firstly, Ian, we'll start with a bit of an intro to yourself. So tell us a little bit about yourself for the listeners out there. Okay.

Firstly, Ian, we'll start with a bit of an intro to yourself. So tell us a little bit about yourself for the listeners out there. Okay.

So I wasn't born blind. I was born with normal vision, and I was ten years old when I knew I wanted to be a tattoo artist. So in all my free time, I used to draw pictures and when I got a bit older, I was tattooing people. And then I was. 20 years ago, I lost my sight. So the tattoo dream was out of the window, so I didn't know what to do after then. And I started working with a social worker, trying to get me out and about and done some voluntary work in youth mentoring. So I really enjoyed doing that. So I went back to TAFE and done some diplomas and certificates in youth mentoring and community service. And yeah, so that was in 2006, I believe, 2005 when I started doing that and done my diplomas in 2013, 2014. And yeah, since then I've just been doing youth work.

So I wasn't born blind. I was born with normal vision, and I was ten years old when I knew I wanted to be a tattoo artist. So in all my free time, I used to draw pictures and when I got a bit older, I was tattooing people. And then I was. 20 years ago, I lost my sight. So the tattoo dream was out of the window, so I didn't know what to do after then. And I started working with a social worker, trying to get me out and about and done some voluntary work in youth mentoring. So I really enjoyed doing that. So I went back to TAFE and done some diplomas and certificates in youth mentoring and community service. And yeah, so that was in 2006, I believe, 2005 when I started doing that and done my diplomas in 2013, 2014. And yeah, since then I've just been doing youth work.

So yeah. And has that been in, um, just the Top Blokes Foundation in particular or other sort of places as well?

So yeah. And has that been in, um, just the Top Blokes Foundation in particular or other sort of places as well?

Uh, when I first started volunteering, it was through the Samaritans. There was a program called just in the Hunter Valley area, New South Wales, and, um, it was just mentoring young men, young girls, taking them on, um, like day trips and just hanging out with them for people that didn't have sort of role models around them. And then, um, that was, as I said, that was only voluntary. But then I went on some, um, qualifications in that sector. And I'm going into my second year nearly coming up three years next year working with Top Blokes Foundation.

Uh, when I first started volunteering, it was through the Samaritans. There was a program called just in the Hunter Valley area, New South Wales, and, um, it was just mentoring young men, young girls, taking them on, um, like day trips and just hanging out with them for people that didn't have sort of role models around them. And then, um, that was, as I said, that was only voluntary. But then I went on some, um, qualifications in that sector. And I'm going into my second year nearly coming up three years next year working with Top Blokes Foundation.

Tell us a little bit about Top Blokes Foundation. And, you know, the work they do and what your involvement is there.

Tell us a little bit about Top Blokes Foundation. And, you know, the work they do and what your involvement is there.

Yeah. Cool. Um, so top blokes that started off in Wollongong 19 years ago, I believe they believe that the young males were underrepresented. And so our boss, Mel, she saw top blokes just in the Wollongong area and it spread. And what they primarily are, it's a young men's mental health mentoring service. So we go to we work with boys aged between ten and young men 24 and everything in between, and we go to schools. So if we're doing a 10 to 13 age group. It goes for two terms 20 weeks. And the older boys, they go for ten weeks and we go through different programs mental health, healthy relationships, anger management, peer pressure, risk taking, the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol, and redefining masculinities what it means to be a man. So there's numerous topics we go through. So each week's a new topic that we do with the boys, and we only do one hour a day with them.

Yeah. Cool. Um, so top blokes that started off in Wollongong 19 years ago, I believe they believe that the young males were underrepresented. And so our boss, Mel, she saw top blokes just in the Wollongong area and it spread. And what they primarily are, it's a young men's mental health mentoring service. So we go to we work with boys aged between ten and young men 24 and everything in between, and we go to schools. So if we're doing a 10 to 13 age group. It goes for two terms 20 weeks. And the older boys, they go for ten weeks and we go through different programs mental health, healthy relationships, anger management, peer pressure, risk taking, the harmful effects of drugs and alcohol, and redefining masculinities what it means to be a man. So there's numerous topics we go through. So each week's a new topic that we do with the boys, and we only do one hour a day with them.

I want to go back to almost 20 years ago. I'd have been there when you got into sort of studying in that sort of, um, you know, youth work and mentoring. What was it in particular that attracted you into that field? Had you always sort of had an interest in it in sort of the back of your mind, or it was more of a kind of a forced thing because of the vision loss and things like that. What was the sort of the situation there?

I want to go back to almost 20 years ago. I'd have been there when you got into sort of studying in that sort of, um, you know, youth work and mentoring. What was it in particular that attracted you into that field? Had you always sort of had an interest in it in sort of the back of your mind, or it was more of a kind of a forced thing because of the vision loss and things like that. What was the sort of the situation there?

Oh, as I said, I always wanted to be a tattooist, and once I lost my sight. I was really at a stop sign and didn't know what to do. I didn't know what I was coping because I had no schooling. I didn't complete any schooling. So it's when I done the voluntary mentoring through the Samaritans, I thought, this is really good work and I just enjoyed being that person someone could look up to and um, give like little teachings here and there. And I just found it to be a really rewarding job. Yeah, I knew those mentors around when I was younger, but I didn't know of any programs. And once I started hearing all the programs, I'm like, yeah, this is cool.

Oh, as I said, I always wanted to be a tattooist, and once I lost my sight. I was really at a stop sign and didn't know what to do. I didn't know what I was coping because I had no schooling. I didn't complete any schooling. So it's when I done the voluntary mentoring through the Samaritans, I thought, this is really good work and I just enjoyed being that person someone could look up to and um, give like little teachings here and there. And I just found it to be a really rewarding job. Yeah, I knew those mentors around when I was younger, but I didn't know of any programs. And once I started hearing all the programs, I'm like, yeah, this is cool.

And what sort of challenges did you face when you did experience vision loss, and what were the things that helped you overcome that?

And what sort of challenges did you face when you did experience vision loss, and what were the things that helped you overcome that?

At the start, I was, um, pretty down, um, because as I said, I didn't know what to do or where to go. Then Vision Australia and Guide Dogs got on board. And um, so I started doing just normal life skills and general mobility, but because I didn't know what I wanted to do, I didn't have any ambitions on travelling because I, you know, as I said, my guide dogs were really in and the vision Australia. Really encouraging. Get out there. And so the biggest hurdle was just getting from A to B to the mentoring programs and to the TAFE campuses. And yeah so that was a big support through Vision Australia and Guide Dogs doing all that. And then once I become more confident in getting around on my own. Yeah I just took it all on.

At the start, I was, um, pretty down, um, because as I said, I didn't know what to do or where to go. Then Vision Australia and Guide Dogs got on board. And um, so I started doing just normal life skills and general mobility, but because I didn't know what I wanted to do, I didn't have any ambitions on travelling because I, you know, as I said, my guide dogs were really in and the vision Australia. Really encouraging. Get out there. And so the biggest hurdle was just getting from A to B to the mentoring programs and to the TAFE campuses. And yeah so that was a big support through Vision Australia and Guide Dogs doing all that. And then once I become more confident in getting around on my own. Yeah I just took it all on.

And Ian, I'm keen to hear about your journey as a job seeker, especially following your experience of vision loss. What were the sort of experiences you had there?

And Ian, I'm keen to hear about your journey as a job seeker, especially following your experience of vision loss. What were the sort of experiences you had there?

Well, at the start I was doing some voluntary work through Samaritans, but then I got on to a couple of job network agencies for people with disabilities. One was okay, I was getting some jobs that sounded interesting, but I was just a requirements which will hold me back. But then I got onto another job network called Castle Personnel, which is another disability job network. And they were really supportive and they met all my needs and found me the appropriate jobs that I could do with the requirements. So if you are struggling, if you went into a job network and just said, look, I've got a disability, can you point me in the right direction? I'm sure they'll be able to point you in the right direction. So there is many jobs out there for people with disabilities. And it's just, um, if you're fit for the job, I guess.

Well, at the start I was doing some voluntary work through Samaritans, but then I got on to a couple of job network agencies for people with disabilities. One was okay, I was getting some jobs that sounded interesting, but I was just a requirements which will hold me back. But then I got onto another job network called Castle Personnel, which is another disability job network. And they were really supportive and they met all my needs and found me the appropriate jobs that I could do with the requirements. So if you are struggling, if you went into a job network and just said, look, I've got a disability, can you point me in the right direction? I'm sure they'll be able to point you in the right direction. So there is many jobs out there for people with disabilities. And it's just, um, if you're fit for the job, I guess.

Well, absolutely. And it's all about seeing beyond the disability. The important message is, you know, a lot of people are super adaptable. In fact, we probably have to be more adaptable than ever because of all the, um, different little bits and pieces that we deal with. So I think they've got a lot of fantastic skills that we can offer various organisations. But I know you mentioned in there there's unfortunately a few misconceptions or a few things out there where, you know, you go into somewhere and we don't have to name names here or anything like that. But, you know, you go in and they say, oh, you have to have a driver's license. And you say, well, no, I'm legally blind. I can't, you know, drive a car. And all they say, oh no, we're going gonna give you a job in a factory with all this fast moving machinery and you can't think. Well, no, that's not gonna work at all. That's quite dangerous. I don't want to be in that sort of situation. So it's also experiencing that. But also great to hear that you have found somewhere that is much more supportive and does understand your sort of needs. But what was that like to experience those other things? And a lot of people out there, um, unfortunately, are probably nodding their heads because they can totally relate and thinking, oh, yeah, you know, that's that's, you know, the story of my life.

Well, absolutely. And it's all about seeing beyond the disability. The important message is, you know, a lot of people are super adaptable. In fact, we probably have to be more adaptable than ever because of all the, um, different little bits and pieces that we deal with. So I think they've got a lot of fantastic skills that we can offer various organisations. But I know you mentioned in there there's unfortunately a few misconceptions or a few things out there where, you know, you go into somewhere and we don't have to name names here or anything like that. But, you know, you go in and they say, oh, you have to have a driver's license. And you say, well, no, I'm legally blind. I can't, you know, drive a car. And all they say, oh no, we're going gonna give you a job in a factory with all this fast moving machinery and you can't think. Well, no, that's not gonna work at all. That's quite dangerous. I don't want to be in that sort of situation. So it's also experiencing that. But also great to hear that you have found somewhere that is much more supportive and does understand your sort of needs. But what was that like to experience those other things? And a lot of people out there, um, unfortunately, are probably nodding their heads because they can totally relate and thinking, oh, yeah, you know, that's that's, you know, the story of my life.

You know, I guess some, some agencies, you're just a number for them. But there's other agencies which do look at what you're capable of and they'll lift you up and go, you can do this. And like just being really encouraging and they can see your capabilities, I guess. Whereas before with the job network now, I didn't know what I was capable of until they saw the potential in me. And so I guess if you can know your potential and know what you're capable of, you can do anything, I guess.

You know, I guess some, some agencies, you're just a number for them. But there's other agencies which do look at what you're capable of and they'll lift you up and go, you can do this. And like just being really encouraging and they can see your capabilities, I guess. Whereas before with the job network now, I didn't know what I was capable of until they saw the potential in me. And so I guess if you can know your potential and know what you're capable of, you can do anything, I guess.

Yeah, well, there'll to be, um, quite a challenge living in, um, a rural New South Wales with not so much public transport. And if you're, you know, not able to drive, that does put a fair bit of a spanner in the works. So yeah, that's definitely, I think, something a lot of people can relate to if they do live outside of the major cities, what sort of ways did you negotiate that to sort of improve your independence and your mobility?

Yeah, well, there'll to be, um, quite a challenge living in, um, a rural New South Wales with not so much public transport. And if you're, you know, not able to drive, that does put a fair bit of a spanner in the works. So yeah, that's definitely, I think, something a lot of people can relate to if they do live outside of the major cities, what sort of ways did you negotiate that to sort of improve your independence and your mobility?

Because I am in a rural town, we do have a train station, but we're limited to trains. So I was catching the train. I was getting a lift into TAFE and into work by support workers and played out. I was able to catch a train home, so I'd catch a train home with my guide dog and just walk from the train station home. Mainly I just rely on support workers to drive me here and there. As I said, because the transport where I'm at is really limited. But I'm getting from a rural town, I'm getting into the the city, townships and surrounding areas just by support workers.

Because I am in a rural town, we do have a train station, but we're limited to trains. So I was catching the train. I was getting a lift into TAFE and into work by support workers and played out. I was able to catch a train home, so I'd catch a train home with my guide dog and just walk from the train station home. Mainly I just rely on support workers to drive me here and there. As I said, because the transport where I'm at is really limited. But I'm getting from a rural town, I'm getting into the the city, townships and surrounding areas just by support workers.

Oh you're right. Okay. Fair enough. And had you lived in the Hunter Valley for the majority of your life, or. You've moved around a bit?

Oh you're right. Okay. Fair enough. And had you lived in the Hunter Valley for the majority of your life, or. You've moved around a bit?

No. I've always stayed in the Hunter region.

No. I've always stayed in the Hunter region.

And that really sort of gives you that really great local knowledge where you can help those young people from the local communities. You really sort of understand what they're going through and the sort of issues they're facing. So I think that's also a fantastic aspect to all of that work that you are doing. Let's go into a little bit of detail about your involvement with Vision Australia. I know you've spoken about this already a little bit, but what sort of ways were they able to help you to negotiate your experiences of vision loss?

And that really sort of gives you that really great local knowledge where you can help those young people from the local communities. You really sort of understand what they're going through and the sort of issues they're facing. So I think that's also a fantastic aspect to all of that work that you are doing. Let's go into a little bit of detail about your involvement with Vision Australia. I know you've spoken about this already a little bit, but what sort of ways were they able to help you to negotiate your experiences of vision loss?

Yeah, well, no, they were really good. Um, at the when I started using Vision Australia, I started they taught me how to use a computer with the Jaws screen reader. So when I could see I wasn't a good computer user anyway. But they improved my computer skills. So I was able to use a computer, which helped me down the road when I was back at TAFE, studying and also learning how to read Braille. And yeah, so I think the biggest thing I got out of Vision Australia was the support on life skills, using a computer and getting from A to B, so that was really helpful.

Yeah, well, no, they were really good. Um, at the when I started using Vision Australia, I started they taught me how to use a computer with the Jaws screen reader. So when I could see I wasn't a good computer user anyway. But they improved my computer skills. So I was able to use a computer, which helped me down the road when I was back at TAFE, studying and also learning how to read Braille. And yeah, so I think the biggest thing I got out of Vision Australia was the support on life skills, using a computer and getting from A to B, so that was really helpful.

And what sort of message would you have for people out there experiencing vision loss and not really sure where to go or what to do? And because it is no doubt a very stressful and despondent time.

And what sort of message would you have for people out there experiencing vision loss and not really sure where to go or what to do? And because it is no doubt a very stressful and despondent time.

You know, if there are anything like that, always when I could see. Because honestly, I just thought blind people had canes, dogs and Braille. I didn't know what was out there for the blind. But there is absolutely so much out there for blind people to help them live independently and get out and about on their own. And I just if you've got barriers up, Vision Australia, just come and pull those barriers down and say just go. The world is open for you. So there's so much help support out there, whether it's mobility or just In-Home assistance that you can learn to manage living on your own.

You know, if there are anything like that, always when I could see. Because honestly, I just thought blind people had canes, dogs and Braille. I didn't know what was out there for the blind. But there is absolutely so much out there for blind people to help them live independently and get out and about on their own. And I just if you've got barriers up, Vision Australia, just come and pull those barriers down and say just go. The world is open for you. So there's so much help support out there, whether it's mobility or just In-Home assistance that you can learn to manage living on your own.

And and if people would like to find out a little bit more about top blokes, what's the best way for them to do that?

And and if people would like to find out a little bit more about top blokes, what's the best way for them to do that?

Jump on their website. It's just Top Blokes Foundation. If you look it up on Google, Facebook, there's all the links and the support work that we do for the young men, and there's some positive feedbacks that we've got from parents and even from the boys that have gone through the program. And our main goal is to minimize young men's suicide and help them with their mental health. And we'll fill their tool belt up with all the good men and a top bloke. So yeah, just jump on. Top Blokes Foundation and suss us out. We're a good organisation.

Jump on their website. It's just Top Blokes Foundation. If you look it up on Google, Facebook, there's all the links and the support work that we do for the young men, and there's some positive feedbacks that we've got from parents and even from the boys that have gone through the program. And our main goal is to minimize young men's suicide and help them with their mental health. And we'll fill their tool belt up with all the good men and a top bloke. So yeah, just jump on. Top Blokes Foundation and suss us out. We're a good organisation.

I've been speaking today with Ian Clements from the Top Blokes Foundation about his journey through vision loss to find a new career in youth mentoring and youth work. And thank you so much for your time today. It was great to catch up with you and hear all about your story.

I've been speaking today with Ian Clements from the Top Blokes Foundation about his journey through vision loss to find a new career in youth mentoring and youth work. And thank you so much for your time today. It was great to catch up with you and hear all about your story.

I appreciate your time. Thanks, Sam.

I appreciate your time. Thanks, Sam.