The Hand Up Space

27/08/2025

Paul has been with me since the very beginning 💙 We first met back in 2016/2017 when I was working at supporting people to access the NDIS.

That kind of continuity is rare in this sector – and it matters. It means trust, stability, and the chance to grow together. Over the years, we’ve learnt so much from each other, and I wouldn’t trade that for anything.

Paul was also the very first person who told me he believed in me when I floated the idea of getting my own NDIS registration. That belief gave me the push I needed – and here we are today.

Neens 👋🏽

24/08/2025

It’s happening!

The Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance is happening THIS WEDNESDAY 👉 27th August, 1–2pm at our new accessible venue in Coniston (with heaps of FREE parking 🙌).

💡 Guest Speaker: Laura Appel from
🍽 FREE lunch thanks to our amazing sponsors
🤝 Open to ALL support coordinators – sole traders + providers welcome
💪 Proudly disability-led by myself + Michelle from

Don’t miss this chance to connect, collaborate + fill your belly 💜

See you there!
Neens 👋🏽

23/08/2025

Both as a Support Coordinator and as someone living with disability, I’ll be real — building and keeping a good team of support workers has been one of my biggest struggles.

And I know it’s not just me… I see it with participants all the time. When the support isn’t right, life becomes harder than it needs to be. Independence, energy, even joy — all take a hit.

So today I’ve started a training program with called “Hiring your own Support Team!” 🙌🏽

I’m hoping this will not only make my own life easier, but also give me tools I can share with others navigating the same challenges. Because let’s be honest — we shouldn’t just be surviving with support, we should be thriving.

And who better to learn from than Michelle, who lives with MND and manages her own team so she can live independently. That’s strength right there. 💪🏽

Neens 👋🏽

17/08/2025

New FREE Mental Health Support Service – No referral needed

Did you know there’s now a national Medicare Mental Health service offering free, confidential support for anyone in the community?

As Support Coordinators, we know how tough it can be for participants, families and carers to find the right mental health support without long waits, referrals or complex assessments. This new service takes away those barriers.

✅ Available face-to-face, over the phone or online
✅ Call the Medicare Mental Health phone line: 1800 595 212
✅ Visit dedicated Mental Health Centres or Kids Hubs (for families with children 0–12)

What makes it different?
🔹 No referral, diagnosis or eligibility assessment needed
🔹 Peer workers with lived experience of mental health
🔹 Interpreting services & culturally safe care
🔹 Designed to be inclusive of people with disability, families and carers

This is a fantastic free community resource we can all share with the people we support.

💻 Learn more: www.medicarementalhealth.gov.au

Neens 👋🏽

08/08/2025

🚨 SAVE THE DATE – NEW LOCATION! 🚨

The Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance is back, and you don’t want to miss this one!
🗓 Wednesday 27th August 2025
🕐 1:00pm – 2:00pm
📍 9 Old Springhill Rd, Coniston NSW 2500 (Accessible venue with plenty of FREE parking!)

We’re excited to welcome our guest speaker Laura Appel from Feed Me Nutrition – an experienced dietitian passionate about helping people create realistic, lasting changes for better health and independence.

💡 Special shout-out to our amazing sponsor – Real Life Community Group – for putting on a FREE lunch for everyone! 🍽

This event is:
✅ Disability-led by myself (Nina Crumpton) and Michelle at Building With Strength
✅ Open to all support coordinators – whether you’re an independent sole trader or working for a provider
✅ A chance to connect, collaborate, and strengthen our local network

It’s time to work together and help each other – come along, network, and leave inspired!

📌 Book your spot here: https://form.jotform.com/242890220973055

01/08/2025

Wollongong Council Community Advisory Group !!

Wollongong City Council is putting the call out—and this one’s for us! 🙋🏽‍♀️🙋🏿🙋🏼‍♂️

They’re setting up a Community Advisory Group made up of people with lived experience of disability to help shape the next Disability Inclusion Action Plan (DIAP) for 2026–2030.

✨ Want to make sure our beaches, parks, and public spaces are accessible?
✨ Got thoughts on how Council can better include and support people with disability?
✨ Want to be paid for your insights and help shape real change in our region?

Then this group is for YOU.

🧠 They’re looking for up to 8 local legends to:
• Analyse community feedback
• Help solve local access and inclusion issues
• Recommend priorities for the next DIAP

🗣 Council wants our voices at the table—and they’re backing that up with remuneration for your time and commitment through to mid-2026.

This is a rare opportunity to make waves in local government. Let’s make sure the disability community is leading the way!

🔗 Apply now via wollongong.nsw.gov.au
⏳ Don’t sleep on it—get your EOI in and let’s shape an accessible Wollongong together.

Link - https://wollongong.nsw.gov.au/council/news/articles/july-2025/community-advisory-group-essential-to-plan-for-a-more-inclusive-wollongong

Tag your mates. Share it around. Let’s get the right voices in the room.

30/07/2025

🗣️ NDIS PARTICIPANTS – YOUR VOICE MATTERS 🗣️

Too often, the voices of people with lived experience get lost in the noise. But this is your chance to be heard—and be paid for your time.

The NDIS is running two focus groups just for participants. These sessions will directly shape the future of the Navigator Service and Support Coordination. That means how you access support could change—and your input is what will shape that future.

Here’s what’s happening:

🔍 1. Help design the new Navigator Service
This is your opportunity to co-design what the future of NDIS navigation could look like.
👉 https://lnkd.in/gpnmCwjE

💬 2. Share your experience with Support Coordination
What’s worked? What hasn’t? What do you need more of? Speak up so that Support Coordination doesn’t get left behind.
👉 https://lnkd.in/gKcb-BND

Both are paid opportunities. 👏🏽
More info in the Participant First newsletter:
👉 https://lnkd.in/gws9W9d8

This is a real opportunity to influence how the NDIS works for you and others in the future. If you don’t have your say, others will speak for you—and they may not get it right.

Please share with anyone who might want to join in. Let’s make sure the future of Support Coordination is designed with us, not around us.

Neens 👋🏽

10/07/2025

🚨 BIG NEWS ILLAWARRA! 🚨

The Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance has a brand new sponsor and it’s one we’re bloody proud to partner with — 👏🏽

They’re a disability-led organisation that actually walks the talk — putting people with disability at the centre of everything they do (not just in the marketing brochure). It’s a values match made in heaven and Michelle from and I are seriously pumped for this next chapter!

💥 To celebrate, our July meeting is happening at our NEW VENUE:
📍 Real Life Assistants HQ — 9 Old Springhill Rd, Coniston
🕐 1–3pm
📅 Wed July 23

Here’s what’s going down:
🧠 Justine from will be breaking down the latest NDIS changes (so we’re all up to speed)
💬 One of their Social Workers will give us the lowdown on their NDIS scope and how they can support participants in real, practical ways
🍴 Oh, and did we mention it’s FREE to attend? With free onsite parking and lunch included?

ALL Support Coordinators and Recovery Coaches are welcome.
Come connect and help us keep doing better by our community!

Let’s grow this thing together ✊🏽

Neens & Michelle
👋🏽

09/07/2025

🚨 BIG NEWS!!🚨

The Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance has a brand new sponsor and it’s one we’re bloody proud to partner with — Real Life Assistants 👏🏽

They’re a disability-led organisation that actually walks the talk — putting people with disability at the centre of everything they do (not just in the marketing brochure). It’s a values match made in heaven and Michelle from Building With Strength and I are seriously pumped for this next chapter!

💥 To celebrate, our July meeting is happening at our NEW VENUE:
📍 Real Life Assistants HQ — 9 Old Springhill Rd, Coniston
🕐 1–3pm
📅 Wednesday July 23

Here’s what’s going down:
🧠 Justine Leonard from RLA be breaking down the latest NDIS changes (so we’re all up to speed)
💬 One of RLA’s Social Workers will give us the lowdown on their NDIS scope and how they can support participants in real, practical ways
🍴 Oh, and did we mention it’s FREE to attend? With free onsite parking and lunch included.

ALL Support Coordinators and Recovery Coaches are welcome. Come and connect and help us keep doing better by our community.

Let’s grow this thing together ✊🏽

https://reallifeassistants.com.au

Neens & Michelle

Real Support for Real People Making a Real Difference Real Life Community Group is a registered NDIS provider and charity that provides support to NDIS participants in the Illawarra and South Coast regions. Our primary purpose is helping people receive the support or employment opportunities they ne...

29/06/2025

26/05/2025

Illawarra Support Coordination Alliance meeting 👊🏽

Disability led and proud!!

📅 Wed 28 May
🕐 1pm
📍 Accessible venue + accessible bathroom (yes, really!)
💸 FREE to attend
🍽️ Lunch sponsored by (yum!)

This group is for Support Coordinators & Psychosocial Recovery Coaches — a true community of practice where we connect, learn, and support each other.

Special guest: the amazing from Banksia Support Services 💥

Also… I’m back from Bali, feeling refreshed and ready to go! How are you?

Drop a comment or DM if you’re coming so we can lock in lunch numbers!

Neens 👋🏽