Our NDIS Team

Kayla is one of our multi-talented instructors who helps run a diverse range of programs at Reach & Belong. After leaving her previous job, she found the motivation to pursue a career that aligns with her deep passion.

In her spare time, Kayla enjoys attending music concerts, watching horror movies, spending time with her family, partner and fur babies.

By working at Reach & Belong, Kayla aspires to create a positive impact and inspire individuals to reach their full potential.

Sue was always a softly spoken person, until she became a Cub Scout Leader and quickly learned she would need to speak louder to be heard among the Scouts!  Now, she can easily support and teach in a noisy kitchen or busy sewing group.

Sue has a Bachelor of Education, Graduate Diploma in Technology Studies, Graduate Certificate in Disability Studies, Certificate IV in Disability and is currently studying a Masters in Disability Policy.

Sue loves art and craft of all types, especially patchwork and embroidery (however freely admits that knitting bamboozles her!).  She has worked in disability support for over 30 years and loves the passion Reach & Belong brings to individual person-centred planning.

Amber has a friendly personality, and she loves sharing a smile and a laugh whenever possible.  Amber holds a degree in Finance/Accounting and is also a qualified Primary School teacher.  Whilst she has a knack for numbers, it’s working with people and seeing them evolve, that gives her the greatest sense of enjoyment.  Amber’s favourite thing about Reach & Belong is the supportive environment it creates for people to flourish as they discover new interests and passions.

Amber loves being outdoors, going for walks in nature, training in the gym, practising yoga – pretty much anything active!  Having lived and worked in 4 different continents, she is also an avid traveller. Her favourite place in the world is Croatia and the beautiful Dalmatian coastline.

To future participants, Amber would encourage them to “have a go, have a laugh, and enjoy meeting others in the same boat!”

Andrea is an Independent Living Skills and SLES (School Leavers Employment Scheme) Instructor here at Reach and Belong, and her outgoing and personable nature has made her an invaluable part of the team!

Lauren has a very friendly, outgoing, and compassionate nature.  As an experienced Yoga and Breathwork practitioner, we are lucky to have Lauren sharing her magic with our participants.  Outside of Reach & Belong, you will find Lauren spending time in nature, travelling, catching up with friends and enjoying good food.

A dual UK/Australian citizen, she has worked in disability for most of her life and is even Forest School leader trained. Lauren LOVES animals and is currently pet sitting right across Melbourne.

Lauren’s favourite thing about working at Reach & Belong is the sense of community. She enjoys working alongside kind, caring, and supportive team members, as well as with the inspiring participants. Lauren loves to encourage all new potential participants to come as they are and be warmly welcomed in.

Phoebe is an outgoing student, currently studying a Double bachelor’s degree in marketing and media communications. With a passion for social media, specifically for business management, she is excited to be working with Reach & Belong to ensure as many members of the community have access to programs and services.

She has many skills in video editing, photography, social media management, marketing and communication, which help her in running the tech program as well as Reach & Belong’s podcast.

Phoebe’s favourite part of working at Reach & Belong is the dynamic nature of the programs, and how there are always new opportunities for everyone to try and really find their place in the world.

Sandy designed the One Club Golf Program and works with Reach & Belong at Golf Sessions. Having played golf since he was 12 years old, Sandy’s golfing career has taken him many places. After completing his PGA certification in 1995, he played professionally for a few years before beginning his coaching journey, even coaching at the Victorian Institute of Sport. In 2007 he moved overseas to coach players on tour before returning home in 2010 and entering the club golf world and finally beginning the One Club Golf Program.

The One Club Program aims to break down barriers and have those who have never played before on the course in 15 minutes and a confident golf player within an hour, which is a standout from other programs. The One Club Program aims to strip back golf rather than complicate it and aims to empower the players and help them find the parts of the game that they love.

Sandy says the most rewarding part of working with Reach & Belong is “the happiness you see on participants faces when they are playing a game they love”.

Peter is a passionate gamer, with Dungeons and Dragons being his specialty. He is a tireless worker and uses his creative vision to inspire and encourage all players who join his tables at Dungeons and Dragons programs.

Peter was first introduced to Dungeons and Dragons during lockdown, when watching others playing the game “kept [him] sane, being at home all the time”. He began to play as soon as restrictions eased and hasn’t stopped since.

He loves sharing his passion for the game with everybody as “it is a game for everyone”. He encourages everyone to try play, as the community “doesn’t care about any sort of stereotypes, it’s as inclusive as possible. So come along, roll some dice, and see what happens!”

Along with her warm personality and infectious smile, Anne brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in all things crafts.

When Anne’s not running our sewing program, you will likely find her immersed in any number of craft activities – from photography, to scrapbooking, stamping, card making, beading, and more recently patchwork and embroidery. Multi-talented might just be her middle name.

Anne’s grandmother was a domestic science teacher, so between her and Anne’s mother, nothing was impossible to make.  This creative, can-do attitude (combined with some pretty nifty skills!) have no doubt shaped her love of crafts today.

Anne’s favourite thing about working at Reach & Belong is the friendly, team-oriented environment. She finds it very rewarding to see participants in the group sewing and learning new skills too.  For future participants, Anne would like you to know that sewing skills are both useful and rewarding.  The classes cover basic skills, but there is always scope for more advanced work too if that’s what you are interested in!