MEET THE TEAM
Between us our team has a wealth of experience and knowledge across a number of different areas including, disability, aged care and youth. What we all have in common is our strong desire to create a community and provide support where people feel empowered, confident and believe they can achieve more than they ever imagined. Together we are breaking down barriers and bringing a unique, individualised and real person-centred approach to support.
Samantha
Managing Director
As Sam and Greg watched the NDIS role out they saw there was a growing opportunity to nurture and educate persons with disabilities, to learn or further develop the skills needed to live as independently as possible.
For Sam, it’s important every member of the team aligns with Real Life Skills values, mission and vision and everything we stand for – “we aren’t just another provider, we are unique, together walking the path to better living.”
Sam has a real passion for helping people and seeing them grow. You won’t find her hanging around in the office all day, she is hands on and loves to build real and meaningful connections with participants and their families. She still sees her original clients on a regular basis, loves being active and playing sports, cooking in classes, singing (not well), dancing and has even learnt to sew.
As an advocate for people with disabilities Sam hopes Real Life Skills and everything we do as a team increases public awareness, understanding, education and acceptance of people with disabilities breaking down barriers and stereotypes within the wider community.
Greg
Chief Operating Officer
The master chef that bought our cooking classes to life. Greg and Sam share the same values and beliefs in teaching and further developing the skills of people with disabilities to live as independently as possible.
An established businessman, a life coach and qualified chef these are just a few things Greg brings to the team.
Greg is approachable, has a huge heart and believes strongly in our methodology and programs promoting long term sustainable growth in skills and ability.
His personal attributes, wisdom and life experience are second to none, creating a space for our team, participants and families that feels like a second home.
Taylor
General Manager
Taylor joined our team in May 2021, bringing with her experience across a number of different fields. Working most recently in high level management under the Child Safety banner, Taylor is well versed in the disability, youth and residential care space.
Moving into her role at Real Life Skills, she wants to continue to make a real difference in the lives of many, by continuing to deliver an environment and team that cultivates growth and support that helps people reach their goals.
Taylor is determined to continue to provide a unique experience to all the participants that cross our path, giving them purpose, a sense of belonging and a place they can always feel safe.
With a huge heart and desire to build confidence and self-belief in those around her, Taylor is another great addition to the Senior Management of our team.
Anita aka Neets
Executive Assistant
Neets plays a crucial role in supporting the senior management team at Real Life Skills Support Services. Organised and efficient in every way, Neets has time for anyone and everyone and has a genuine love for seeing people do well.
As a mum with a son with ADHD her lived experience has helped her to build a special kind of compassion and understanding. She believes no matter what challenges you may face, anything can be achieved if you put your mind to it and surround yourself with the right people.
Rebekah
Psychosocial Recovery Coach
An honours psychology student from the University of the Sunshine Coast, Rebekah is extremely passionate about mental health and empowering individuals with vital everyday tools and skills needed to flourish and grow.
Rebekah loves everything about helping individuals meet their goals and develop their own unique sense of self – building confidence and bringing out the very best is people is her thing. She believes that all individuals have a lesson, skill, or experience that they can teach and pass onto others.
Rebekah has been previously involved in the community at a local women’s shelter and facilitating social skills workshops for female pre-teens and children aged 4 to 6.
Rebekah is vibrant, approachable, caring, extremely positive and optimistic and always sees the brighter side of life.
Radha
Senior Mentor
Radha is one of our most experienced mentors on the team. She has over 4 years’ experience in the child safety and disability space across a number of different areas, including Supported Independent Living (SIL), community access, skill building and youth.
Some of Radha’s favourite things to do are cooking, which we think is mainly for the eating part afterwards and exploring and finding hidden gems. Radha’s extensive skills and experience allow her to adapt and be relatable with each of her clients.
Radha is a proud member and passionate about the LGBT community and supporting lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender, intersex, and other sexuality, gender, and bodily diverse people and communities throughout Australia and the world, to be free from stigma and discrimination.
Elijah
Mentor
Elijah has travelled extensively throughout his life. He spent a lot of his early years growing up in Broome WA, then finishing his high school years in Tasmania. Elijah then moved to Sydney working as a videographer and editor for the ABC for 5 years.
Looking to change up his lifestyle and the opportunity to be closer to his family, Elijah recently made the move up to the Sunshine Coast ready to embrace something new.
Elijah is looking forward to the challenge of helping people wherever they’re at to develop, grow and achieve their personal goals.
Jade
Mentor
Jade brings with her a wealth of knowledge within the Mental Health, Disability and Supported Independent Living space. Her experience and training have given her the ability to work with more complex behaviours and needs to assist participants to achieve their goals. With that said Jade is fun-loving, compassionate, vibrant and an all-round positive vibe.
Her puppy Snoop Dog is her best friend and number one fan, and in her spare time Jade loves to get creative with crystals and gems turning them into beautiful earrings, necklaces and hanging chakra’s. Jade loves to work with her clients to break through barriers that have been holding them back and helping them become their best selves.
Jack
Mentor
Jack loves going a on journey, whether that be going for a walk-through nature, going for a surf, scuba diving, rock climbing, mountain bike riding or watching a great movie. One of his favourites is interstellar. Jack has a strong passion for ensuring everyone reaches their desired goals.
Working within disability sector for over two years, he has a broad knowledge and skill set that enables him to work effectively with his clients to achieve their goals.
Did we also mention Jack is currently studying to be Occupational Therapist?
Jenna
Mentor
Jenna loves to have fun, is creative and has a caring nature. She has a nursing diploma and has experience in child safety and disability. Jenna enjoys getting out and about exploring the Sunshine coast sceneries. Some of her favourite things to do are cooking, collect plants, visiting local cafes and markets, camping, arts and craft, as well as spend time with her cats Ralph and Ryan.
Being able to help people achieve their goals, become more comfortable in the community and develop skills be to independent whilst having fun is Jenna’s favourite things about being a mentor.
Ryley
Mentor
Ryley is a lover of dogs and a man of many talents. Always up for a laugh or a chat, Ryley is the perfect man to help you work towards achieving your goals. He loves getting outside and enjoying what the Sunshine Coast has to offer whether it be heading to the beach, going on a bush walk or having a good old Aussie BBQ.
Did we mention he is also a qualified Chef – you know that means the BBQ is guna be good. Ryley enjoys a wide variety of sports including soccer, surfing, and mountain bike riding just to name a few.
His calming and relaxed nature allows him to connect with his clients and work towards goals, achieving more than ever imagined.
Luke
Mentor
Luke has a Diploma in Community Services and loves working with youth and young adults. Being a father himself, Luke comes with a wealth of knowledge and hands on experience. His calming and approachable nature makes you feel at ease as soon as you meet him.
Always looking for an opportunity to build in subtle learnings, Luke brings the perfect balance of fun and learning new skills to your life. If you love your sport, Luke is your guy. Rugby, Soccer, Tennis, Bowling, Golf – you name it Luke is ready to get amongst it. In his spare time, he loves hanging out with his family and friends, watching movies and playing board games.
An animal lover (dogs are his favourite) and a lover of a good burger you’re guaranteed to kick some serious goals with this guy walking along side you.
Mentor
Damo spent 5 years working as a Youth mentor and has been in the disability space for the last 3 years. As a mentor Damo loves getting out and about, whether that’s snowboarding, wake boarding, camping, fishing, mountain bike riding or hanging out with his friends.
Don’t be fooled by all the fun, he also loves to get stuck into preparing you for work, cooking, and all those other life skills. Damo was also a builder in a past life AND traveled New Zealand for 6 years as a professional DJ playing at festivals and events. With so much talent and life experience you know Damo is going to help you kick some serious goals.
Ella
Mentor
Our young gun Ella loves to live an active lifestyle and enjoys being outdoors. On her days off you’ll find her camping or hiking throughout South East Queensland with her friends. She is quite the adventurous one, whether that be going for a motorbike ride, skateboarding or learning how to surf. When she’s not outdoors, she enjoys reading.
Ella is passionate about helping people live their best lives and increase their independence where possible. She has experience within the mental health and disability space and has learnt so much within only a short period of time and is looking forward to continuing to learn and have a positive impact on the lives of everyone she meets.
Harrison
Mentor
Harrison has 7 years’ experience with supporting people with a variety of Disabilities incluidng Mental Health. Through working in the field for the amount of time he has he has developed an appreciation of, and sensitivity to, a diverse range of cultural perspectives with a strong interest in mentoring others and an ability to establish and maintain relationships. Harrison has completed numerous courses including mental health first aid, cultural awareness, epilepsy and seizures. If you get the pleasure of hanging out with Harisson you can expect a love for anything about sport, music, fashion, movies and video games. Oh and did we mention he’s good for a dad joke too. Harrison is supportive and caring and committed to working towards helping participants achieve their goals.
Tim
Mentor
Tim enjoys a good laugh, is known for his dad jokes and is a country kid at heart. When Tim is not studying, you’ll find him with his friends, enjoying a coffee, listening to audiobooks, and probably eating something sweet. Tim is authentic, open-minded, and is up for a conversation anywhere, anytime.
Tim has spent years travelling and working in many places and industries. He is well versed in Mental Health literature and currently is completing his Bachelor of Counselling. He plans to move into behavioural and existential therapy once graduated.
Believing we all need a sense of belonging and connection, Tim navigates all interactions with great care and a belief system that knows everyone is doing the best they can. Always drawing on lived and life experiences, he’d tell you he has learnt to stay curious and will bring his optimism to help reach any of life’s goals.
Cater
Mentor
Cater is a very active person. He loves running, swimming, and climbing, but especially love all things aerial! In fact, Carter is his happiest when he is spinning around upside-down. Carter also likes to take it slow now and again and play video games, read, even play crochet. Carter also has small petting zoo – 1 cat, 2 rats, 3 budgies, and 3 cockatiels.
Carter has lived experience with mental health and neuro-divergence as well as experience working with others who have mental health challenges and/or who are neuro-divergent. Carter loves being able to think outside the box to find ways to help people achieve their goals. Carter is a proud member of the LGBTQIA+ community, and is an advocate for transgender rights and healthcare.
Jess
Mentor
Jess is not just your average local Sunshine Coast Girl. Jess has been working witin the disability sector for over 7 years now and brings to the team and extensive range of knowledge, particularly around the employment space. Her passion is to help individual gain independence and freedom in their life. Jess loves to integrate skills in a fun learning environment that make sure the skills are there for life. Jess is high energy but also calm and nurturing in her approach. She spends most of her time outdoors enjoying what the beautiful Sunshine Coast has to offer with her two sausage doggies.
Brad
Mentor
Brad is our resident Bass Guitarist, but you might also recognise his face from our Cooking Program, Skills Centre and Social Group.
Brad only recently moved over to the disability industry but brings with him a wealth of knowledge and life experience and is an absolute natural to the field. He has had many years working within the entertainment industry and his hobbies include MMA fighting, surfing, being outdoors and spending time with his daughter.
Brad is currently studying his Cert III in Community Services and is very dedicated to helping people achieve their goals and develop those important skills in order to achieve long term independence
Ashlee
Mentor
Ashlee is our resident social butterfly. She loves being outside, will play or do any sport, and she is also a huge animal lover and tree hugger. Ash only relocated to the Sunshine Coast recently. In her spare time she is exploring the Sunshine Coast with her pug and best friend Alfie!
Ashlee has experience working with mental health and a range of disabilities. Her passion is working with people’s capabilities and mentoring them to achieve goals and getting creative brains flowing. If you’re looking for someone who takes an outside the box approach to different life hurdles and barriers – Ash is your gal.
Ash
Mentor
Ash has been working in the mental health and youth space for a few years now, and there’s nothing that gives her more excitement than helping someone to discover and achieve their goals. Ash is a recent Honours graduate of Psychology, completing her thesis on body image, social media and eating attitudes. She has previously worked with a number of young people who have struggled with eating and body image issues, and consider it a passion of hers to untangle the social media environment and how we can best protect ourselves against it.
What else can we share with you about Ash? Well…most importantly, she has a cat. She’s Ash’s world, but Ash thinks she comes second to food in hers. She has lived on the Sunshine Coast since she was 12. She lived in America for a while, but just missed the beaches here way too much. Ash loves the little things in life – coffees that come with freckles, walks on the beach, a good movie in rainy weather and reading – anytime, anywhere. But she also enjoy taking on new experiences and learning new things! She likes to get out wakeboarding and skating when the opportunity presents itself, but mostly she just enjoy getting out into nature.
CAREERS
We are always on the lookout for our next Superstar team members. We regularly have vacancies for new members in all our departments and regions to join our team. If you’d love to be a part of the amazing culture and team at Real Life Skills Support Services get in touch today.
Call us today 07 5451 0931
Email us at info@rlsss.com.au
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4/13 Kayleigh Dr, Buderim QLD 4556
Po Box 5604, Maroochydore BC 4556
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