At Tender Loving Care Disability Services, we’ve always believed that when people are free to express themselves—without judgment or restriction—something extraordinary happens. That belief came to life in 2025 through a simple but powerful idea: Make Your Mark.
Launched at the Hunter Disability Expo in May 2025, the Make Your Mark project invites every person who visits our booth to pick up a paintbrush, dip it in colour, and leave a single mark on a blank canvas.
The rules are simple: One brush. One mark.
But the result? It’s a vibrant, visual representation of what can happen when individual voices come together in a shared space. No two marks are ever the same—some are big, others small. Some are bright, others more subtle. But each one matters. And together, they create something beautiful.
Why We Started Make Your Mark
The Make Your Mark project was born from a desire to give participants a safe, creative outlet to express themselves—without words, expectations, or limitations. At its heart, it reflects everything we stand for at Tender Loving Care: inclusivity, collaboration, safety, and respect.
“We wanted something that wasn’t just about talking to people at expos—but something they could physically be part of,” says Maria Binny, National Business Development Manager at Tender Loving Care. “It’s a simple idea, but it makes a lasting impression. That’s what inclusion should feel like.”
Where It’s Been So Far
Following its debut in Hunter, we brought the project to several other expos:
- Gold Coast Disability Expo (June 2025): A burst of colour, full of playful hearts, flowers, fish, and names.
- South-West Sydney Disability Expo (June 2025): A mix of vibrant curves, layered symbols, and collaborative patterns.
- Source Disability Expo – Sydney (July 2025): An energetic expression of community, creativity, and joy.
Each canvas tells a a collective story written in colour and shaped by everyone who takes part. They’re not just artworks; they’re snapshots of a community in motion.
“We’ve had people tell us they were nervous at first, but once they added their mark, they didn’t want to leave,” Maria shares. “They linger, they smile, they take photos. There’s a quiet kind of confidence that starts to grow—and that’s everything to us.”
What It Means to Participants
What we’ve witnessed is more than just art. It’s a connection.
Children giggle as they add sunshine. Parents take photos as their children make their mark, and sometimes for the very first time. Support workers join in. Friends cheer each other on. And always, there’s a sense of pride.
“The canvases aren’t polished, and that’s what makes them perfect,” Maria adds. “They’re messy, colourful, and completely real. Just like our communities.”
A Living Symbol of Our Values
The completed canvases have become more than event memorabilia. They are living symbols of what Tender Loving Care is all about—creating spaces where everyone belongs, where every person’s contribution is valued, and where self-expression is encouraged and celebrated.
We proudly display each finished canvas in our offices and use them at future events to share our message: that diversity isn’t just something to be accepted; it’s something to be celebrated.
Looking Ahead
We’re just getting started. As we continue to attend expos throughout the year, Make Your Mark will remain a central part of our booth because it’s not just about paint. It’s about presence. Participation. And being seen.
So if you see us at an event near you, come say hello. Pick up a brush. And make your mark.
“It’s not about art,” Maria concludes. “It’s about being part of something. And everyone deserves to feel that.”
Because when we come together, we don’t just fill a canvas. We build something that’s truly unforgettable.
Upcoming Events – Join Us and Make Your Mark:
📍 Sydney Disability Expo
🗓️ 08 August 2025 to 09 August 2025
📍 Canberra Disability Expo
🗓️ 12 September 2025 to 13 September 2025
We can’t wait to see what you’ll create.