Relief as disability employment provider Bedford avoids administration
Every Monday to Thursday, he packages boxes for companies such as Doritos and San Remo.
"I love it," he said.
"It's really good just to do hands-on jobs, and it's really interesting just to do different multiple jobs for different companies."
Asked what his favourite part of going to work was, Mr Stevens said: "It's just chatting to all my colleagues and having a talk to them about a couple of things … talking about what's our plans coming up for the weekend and that."
That was all thrown into jeopardy on Thursday, when Bedford revealed that it was on the verge of entering administration due to cash flow issues.
The state government stepped in on Sunday with a $15 million loan to "stave off" administration, at least temporarily, so the disability employment organisation could get back on its feet.
Mr Stevens said he was "shocked [and] disappointed" when he heard that Bedford was in trouble.
"We were all heartbroken and shocked."
His father Wayne Stevens said the work gave his son daily structure.
"It has been something for him to go to on a daily basis, and to me, going to a job in a normal sense is more than just money, it's also giving you a purpose," Wayne Stevens said.
Wayne Stevens said he would be concerned for his son and other employees if Bedford was to close.
"David was really concerned and when we found out … [Sunday] morning, David felt so relieved, like a weight had fallen off him that he knows that his job is more stable than what it was a couple days ago," he said.
"Knowing that David can still go tomorrow [Monday], still enjoy the friendship of his friends, work there for four days a week — that has taken a lot off my mind."
It is understood Bedford employs more than 800 staff and supports 1,400 people living with a disability at more than 22 sites across South Australia.
In exchange for the $15 million rescue package, the state government will take ownership of Bedford's supported accommodation site Balyana, in Clapham.
Treasurer Stephen Mullighan said on Sunday the loan and the transfer of ownership of the Balyana site were "a good way to structure this support, rather than just providing a cash grant with no recourse for the taxpayers in the future".
He added that there would be conditions imposed on how the loan was spent.
"It won't be a single deposit tomorrow of $15 million and then Bedford has free and unfettered access to it," he said.
Advisory and restructuring firm McGrathNicol has been appointed to work with Bedford.
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