Who are we?

Alicia E – Team Leader and Specialist Support Coordinator - Adelaide Metro

Alicia started with The Growing Space in 2018 and is completing her Bachelor of Disability and Developmental Education degree. She is a mum of three, one of which has a rare neurological disability. Alicia has a passion for inclusion and for serving people with disability and their families. Alicia speaks a smattering of Italian, and her family, and heritage are integral to her life. Her interest in the field started with the need to advocate for her own child, and blossomed from there. Alicia is now working as a Support Coordinator and is often working with Italian speaking participants. We are thrilled to have her on the team.

Ali V – Specialist Support Coordinator - Adelaide Metro

Alicia started with The Growing Space in 2023 and has a degree in Psychology and further studies in a million awesome things . Ali's been a support coordinator since 2020. She has a rare but often undiagnosed genetic condition called Hereditary Hemorrhagic Telangiectasia (HHT) which has been the catalyst to her interest in the mind and body. Her previous work has crossed fields including child protection, disability and mental health - with helping people always the centre of her work. She also has a background in health and is certified as an integrative health practitioner and is also working as a health coach. Having Ali's practical and thorough SSC skills are a real addition to her team, and she's super lovely to be around, too! 

Alison P – Specialist Support Coordinator - Adelaide Metro

Alison has three sons on the ASD spectrum with a wide range of abilities, gifts and challenges. She has built a wealth of experience, particularly in housing and SDA, for the TGS team. Alison is a Specialist Support Coordinator who specialises in helping families find and facilitate good homes for the adult participants they love, who are ready to move out. Alison’s children have been part of the NDIS since 2013 and she’s managed the ins and outs of the scheme since it began, and watching her children grow and develop through the support of the scheme has been both challenging and rewarding.

Amy S – Specialist Support Coordinator - Adelaide Metro

Amy recently completed her Masters at Flinders University, is a registered Social Worker and comes to us with 10 years' experience as a qualified Rehabilitation Counsellor working with people with a range of disabilities.  Amy has a congenital neurological condition called dystonia and brings that lifetime of lived experience to her work. Amy’s eldest daughter is autistic so they’ve also navigated the NDIS and education systems, inspiring a strong disability rights and social justice focus with a caring, honest, non-judgmental approach and person-centred perspective. Amy loves her cats and a large woolly standard comedic poodle named Pepa. She also enjoys going to the beach, as well as listening to audiobooks, gardening, and spending time with her family and friends.

Anne B – Support Coordinator - Limestone Coast, SA

Anne is working as Support Coordinator in Mount Gambier. She is a family carer, and has extensive experience in supporting people with intellectual disability, ABI and Autism. Anne has diplomas in Community Services and Disability, and is currently completing a degree in Dementia Care. Anne is a passionate volunteer with Special Olympics and also supports Carers SA. We are thrilled to be branching into regional areas with her passion and talent.

Bailey PS – Website and Social Media

Bailey works to keep our website updated with all our latest resources in the TGS Library Membership, as well as helping out with our social media work. He grew up with an older brother with disability and lives with ADHD and cerebral palsy. Outside of The Growing Space, Bailey is also a support worker while taking a gap year from studying psychology at university. A proud dog owner and lover, Bailey also loves all things TTRPG (Tabletop Role Playing Games). He's an awesome Dungeon Master for several active Dungeons and Dragons groups.  

Ben P – Content Developer and video technician

Ben is working as a marketing assistant to The Growing Space - interviewing, producing and editing videos about the NDIS for our Learning team. Ben has a passion for inclusion, and for getting great outcomes for people with disability. Ben has an intellectual disability and autism and is actively involved in self managing his NDIS plan. He is a member of Julia Farr Enabled Youth, a member of the NDIS Participant Reference Group and the Youth Advisory Group for SA Health. Ben is also a Community Researcher for Flinders University and is a Microenterprise Ambassador (check out Hazzah). He frequently presents at conferences about disability and the NDIS, Ben has represented Australia in Athletics at the INAS Global Games, holds an Australian Sports Medal and has a deep passion for music.

Brendan K- Videographer and Content Developer

Brendan is our filming and editing extraordinaire with patience a plenty working with The Growing Space Learning team to produce all the e-learning videos. Brendan is a local filmmaker working in film production as a producer and editor and has a BCA (Honours) (Screen) from Flinders University. Outside of this Brendan works as a support worker and teaches filmmaking. Brendan is very proud of the work he has done with The Growing Space.

Caroline D - Support Coordinator - Adelaide Metro

Caroline is a happily married mum of two children, one whom has William Syndrome and who has been a NDIS participant since 2013. Caroline has self-managed their supports from the beginning. Caroline previously worked in an Early Childhood Centre after completing Certificate 3 in Early Childhood Education. Caroline is currently studying Certificate 4 in Disability with a strong passion for inclusion and choice for all.

James N - Content Developer and Producer

James is a team member in The Growing Space Learning and is an Active member of the LGBT Community. James has worked in the performing arts industry as a trained opera singer and has previous experience as an employment support worker in the employment services industry, assisting persons in need. Through James’ lived experience with disability it has given him a clearer understanding and empathy to the diverse needs of other people within the disability community. James brings diversity and fresh ideas to The Growing Space Learning Team.

Jessica J - Specialist Support Coordinator - Southern Adelaide

Jess has been with The Growing Space since 2021, and comes with a nursing registration and experience, as well as a Graduate Certificate in Disability and Inclusion. Jessica has worked as a support worker for young people with disabilities, building belonging in their communities. Jessica has a teen son with an NDIS plan, and a bunch of other kids, too! When she’s not working, Jess loves spending time with her family and all things netball. We are very lucky to have her skillset and passion on our team. 

Jon P- Chief Financial Officer and IT Guru

Jon has joined us to manage our ever growing IT needs and offers senior management support to the team. Jon is an MCSE and keeps our security and privacy tight, keeps Sam in check, and is an invaluable member of The Growing Space team. Jon ensures our systems and team have stringent security and privacy controls. Jon has been a carer for a family member with psychosocial disability for more than 20 years, and parents a young one accessing NDIS supports. Jon always wears a hat, and that helps people with prosopagnosia to know who he is.

Kim B - Support Coordinator - Adelaide South Metro

Kim has joined The Growing Space as a Support Coordinator with more than 30 years in various disability related roles, including the last few years delivering Support Coordination. She has a real focus on clear communication, genuine listening, and works to empower people to reach their NDIS Plan goals. She loves bringing a team of supports together on the same page and is a very positive soul. When she's not working, Kim rides her recumbent bike, volunteers in dog rescue and hangs with her own rescue Pup, Winnie.

Kirralee K – Administrative WIzard and Manager

Kirralee K supports the team in administration, bookkeeping and event management and keep things running fast and smooth. She is Mum of three, one of whom has been in the NDIS since 2014. She has worked in SA Health for many years prior to joining the TGS team, and we are very lucky to have her and her extraordinary ability to herd our cats and get stuff done. Without her we wouldn't get paid, so she's very special to all of us.

Natalie H- Learning Team Leader

Natalie brilliantly manages our TGS Learning ILC Project. She has a Bachelor of Nursing and has worked in Paediatrics and Community Nursing across Adelaide for close to 15 years. Natalie has two daughters on the spectrum who have NDIS plans. She also supports her father through his NDIS journey after having a Stroke. Natalie loves working with an amazing ILC team all with lived experience in disability to produce some awesome resources for the disability community. Stay tuned!

Rebecca H – Support Coordinator - Perth, WA

Rebecca has 10 years of experience in the aged, disability, and mental health sector, with expertise working with children and in aged care, hospital, residential homes, and within the disability community. She strongly believes in providing individuals with the choice and control to make their own decisions and live as independently as possible. Rebecca is carer to a person with significant support needs.

Shelly R – Researcher

Shelly has had 20+ years in a caring role for both a parent and her own son who both have complex needs. She has a passion for supporting and assisting those in need, those less fortunate and isn’t afraid to think outside the box. She is a proud member of the disability, LGBTQIA+ and military veteran community.

Victoria W – Specialist Support Coordinator - Adelaide Metro

Victoria is a Social Worker and Specialist Support Coordinator with lived experience of disability. She has a background in case management and government services. Victoria guides participants and their families through the NDIS maze and develops a support base that nurtures a great life. She is passionate about social justice, legislation and empowerment. Victoria is also a selected member of the Inclusion Reference Group for the Cities of Holdfast Bay, Mitcham and Marion

Vicki W – Specialist Support Coordinator - Adelaide Hills and Fleurieu Peninsula

Vicki has a Bachelor Degree in Social Science and Masters in Social Work. Living with a disability for 30 years now, Vikki has a deep understanding of the many emotional, physical and relationship challenges. She has experience working with children, families and adults and has worked as a Local Area Coordinator for the last 17 months (don't hold it against her!), supporting families and participants to write and start their NDIS Plans. Vikki is a deeply compassionate Specialist Support Coordinator and she loves getting great outcomes for those she serve.

Zac C - Content Developer and Public Speaker

Zac lives with an intellectual disability and Kabuki Syndrome. He works in The Growing Space Learning Team and brings strong administrative skills, a Certificate 3 in IT, and deep positivity to the team. His work in front of the camera is professional and shares Zac’s lived experience, insight and contribution with the Learning project. In the future he would like to be do Tech Support for people struggling with computers. Zac is an Awesome Foundation member, and a working member of the NDIS Participant Reference Group.