At Voice for Choice, we work with individuals to strengthen their communication, decision-making and ability to advocate for themselves.
We also work with teams and organisations to build capability, improve inclusion and create environments where people feel safer and are more likely to be heard.
We are passionately strengths-led and neuro-affirming and our work crosses disability, neurodiversity, mental wellbeing, education, health, community, government and financial systems.
Hi, I’m Renée Menzies 👋
When I say Voice for Choice is grounded in lived and learned experience, it’s because many years ago I acquired multiple disabilities as an adult following a workplace injury.
What followed was almost a decade of rehabilitation and the work of rebuilding my functional capacity, independence and sense of what my life could become.
That experience showed me what becomes possible when people listen, communicate well and recognise the strengths of the person in front of them.
It also showed me what happens when systems take over.
Find out more about me here.
Our Approach
We work with people, not around them and firmly believe the person affected by a decision should be meaningfully involved in making it.
We begin by listening, understanding what matters and identifying what a useful outcome would look like from their perspective. This approach builds capability, not dependence, as our aim is not to take over or become another person someone must rely on.
Through coaching, mentoring and practical guidance, I help people build skills they can continue to use: organising their thoughts, asking questions, making decisions, communicating boundaries and advocating for what they need.
I take the same approach when working with organisations. Rather than delivering a report that sits unread, I help teams develop the knowledge, confidence and practices to keep improving their work
Neurodiversity
We recognise neurodiversity as a natural part of human difference and are committed neuro-affirming allies.
We take the time to understand the person; their communication, their environment and what helps them feel safe and capable. We do not approach difference as something that needs to be corrected.
Boundaries by design
Clear, respectful boundaries help people understand what to expect, what their choices are and where responsibility sits. We help individuals communicate their boundaries and work with organisations to design teams, services and processes that create greater safety for clients and staff.
Challenging the systems
We challenge systems respectfully - understanding why they are there and how they got there and knowing that ethical practice sometimes requires us to ask difficult questions. We are prepared to identify when a system, process or accepted way of working is making it harder for people to participate or be heard. Our approach is direct and constructive, with the focus on what can be changed.
About Renée Menzies
Experience across people, organisations and communities
Renée’s experience spans individual advocacy, mentoring, community development, workforce education and organisational consulting.
Her work has included:
Establishing All Abilities Basketball in Warragul
Mentoring culturally and linguistically diverse women through a Good Shepherd start-up program to create sustainable businesses in the disability sector
Volunteering as an L2P mentor and supporting a young autistic woman to gain her drivers licence
Hosting networking events to help people build useful professional and community connections
Delivering communication, boundaries and capability training for support teams
Briefing medical practitioners on better practice in mental health
Supporting individuals to prepare for important conversations and advocate for what matters to them
Advising organisations on inclusion, communication, service design and ethical practice
Co-sponsoring the 2024 Expressions Festival with Regional Arts Victoria at the West Gippsland Arts Centre
A little more personally…
Renée lives in West Gippsland with her teenage sons and cat, Luna.
Outside work she enjoys bushwalking, crochet, meditation, yoga, movie nights, time with family and very good coffee.
She remains firmly opposed to grocery shopping, washing clothes, liquorice and peas.
Renée’s approach
Build capability. Good support should leave people stronger, more informed and more confident.
Listen before deciding. The people affected by a decision should have a meaningful role in making it.
Respect boundaries. Clear boundaries create safer relationships, healthier teams and more sustainable ways of working.
Recognise the whole person. No diagnosis, disability, role or difficulty tells the whole story of a person.
Make inclusion practical. Inclusion lives in everyday communication, environments, expectations and decisions.
Ask better questions. Sometimes meaningful change begins by questioning the assumptions everyone else has become used to.
Neuro-affirming ally
Renée is a neuro-affirming ally and works from the understanding that different ways of thinking, communicating and experiencing the world are part of human diversity.
Her approach aims to recognise strengths, reduce unnecessary barriers and respect different communication and sensory needs.
Qualifications
Renée holds a Diploma of Applied Health and Community Support, which informs her knowledge of the systems we navigate.
