Natalie H

Natalie H 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 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!

Ben P

Ben P 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 is actively involved in self managing his NDIS plan. He is a member of Julia Farr Youth, an Every Australian Counts National Champion, National School Inclusion Project Mentor, Access2Arts HeartBeat Club committee member, Microenterprise Ambassador, and frequently presents at conferences about disability and the NDIS, Ben has represented Australia in Athletics at the INAS Global Games and has a deep passion for music.

Zac C

Zac C lives with an intellectual disability due to Kabuki Syndrome, he works in The Growing Space Learning team and is all kinds of awesome! Zac is a happy, positive person, who loves to do his best and is not shy in front of a camera. Zac’s insight and contribution to the Learning project is phenomenal. In the future he would like to be a Support Worker for young adults.

James N

James N is a team member in The Growing Space learning and is an Active member in 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.

Brendan K

Brendan K 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.

Jon P

Jon P is an invaluable member of The Growing Space Learning team. Jon is our tech guru offering guidance and support on day to day IT and equipment needs. Jon offers senior management support and mentorship to the learning team. Jon has been a carer for a family member with psychosocial disability for more than 20 years. Jon always wears a hat, and that helps people with prosopagnosia to know who he is.

Sam P

Sam Paior is the CEO and founder of The Growing Space, a social enterprise that she has built from the ground up. She is solo parent to two with disability. Sam now has a team of 30 and growing, working for The Growing Space who all have lived experience with disability. The Growing Space learning team have a great respect for all the ground work Sam has done to establish The Growing Space and the learning team love her contribution and abundance of expertise when working with disabled people and family members to co-design and deliver useful workshops and e-learning resources. Sam has been recognised for all her hard work contribution to the community, she is the 2021 winner of the Impact 25 Probono Australia Awards and the 2020 winner of SA Woman Mum in Business Award.

Charlie

Charlie is apart of the Learning Team as a Content Developer. Charlie is a disabled creative and filmmaker working on Kaurna land. Alongside her creative work, she is passionate about disability activism and is a founding member of DIDA (Disability, Illness and Divergence Association) a peer support and advocacy group operating at the University of Adelaide. We are thrilled to have Charlie's experience, passion and enthusiasm on the team!

The Growing Space acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to our First Nations people, and their cultures and to Elders past, present and emerging.

The Growing Space also acknowledges and thanks the deep work of the many powerful disability advocates who have paved the way for us, and we support the inclusion and belonging in community of all people of all abilities, genders, sexual orientations and races, and we celebrate the diversity all people and deeply appreciate what they bring to our lives.

The Growing Space team are committed to Good Lives for people with disability and those who support them. We work toward inclusion, respect and honouring the human rights of all people, regardless of ability, race, gender, religion, sexuality, or age.