In this episode, Sarah from the Support Worker Store chats with Laura Appel, an experienced NDIS dietitian and founder of Feed Me Nutrition.

We dive into what a dietitian really does, why they’re so important under the NDIS, and how they work with support workers to make meal planning, nutrition, and food choices easier for participants.

Laura shares her journey, the challenges around food in group homes, supporting people with PEG feeds and texture-modified diets, and training support workers to deliver better mealtime outcomes.

Whether you’re a support worker, NDIS participant, or provider, this episode is packed with practical tips to make mealtimes healthier, more social, and stress-free.

https://www.feedmenutrition.org/dietitian, nutrition, NDIS, meal planning, support workers, health, food, training, dietetics, wellness, disability, mealtime, texture modified diets, PEG feeding, nutrition planning, NDIS funding, healthy eating

In this episode, Sarah from the Support Worker Store sits down with Amy and Aaron, the powerhouse duo behind Marco Polo Portal, to unpack their journey through entrepreneurship, disability accommodation, and the importance of neurodiversity in business.

Together, they explore:
✨ How their partnership dynamics fuel innovation
✨ The role of feedback, mentorship, and AI in shaping their platform
✨ Why empowering people with disabilities to find the right housemates is more than tech — it’s about choice, community, and dignity
✨ The future of NDIS, disability accommodation, and person-centred approaches

This conversation is equal parts real talk and inspiration — covering everything from the resilience needed to build a start-up, to the ethical imperative of putting people first.

💡 Takeaways:

• Be kind to yourself and own your uniqueness

• Empowerment is the heart of real impact

• AI works best when it strengthens human connection

• Innovation in the disability sector starts with listening

Tune in to hear how Amy & Aaron are reshaping the future of disability accommodation — one partnership, one platform, and one community at a time.

https://www.marcopoloportal.com/

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I sit down with Phil Hamilton from Human Power to talk all things HR, workplace culture, and the art of managing people (not just policies).

Phil shares his journey in HR and drops some real-world wisdom on creating safe, supportive workplaces where employees actually want to stick around. From navigating tough conversations to hiring the right people, boosting engagement, and retaining top talent, this chat is packed with takeaways for leaders, small business owners, and anyone trying to build a strong, motivated team.

💡 Key takeaways:

HR is about people, not paperwork.

A safe space = better engagement and performance.

Recognition and appreciation change the game.

Understanding what motivates your team keeps them around.

Proactive HR prevents bigger issues down the track.

👉 Want to learn more about building better workplaces? Check out Human Power for practical HR solutions that actually make sense.

Running an NDIS business isn’t just paperwork and policies—it’s heart, hustle, and a whole lotta chaos (with a sprinkle of confetti).

In this episode, I sit down with Phuong, founder of Connect My Community, to talk about what it really takes to thrive as a small NDIS provider. We dig into:

✅ Why compliance should feel like a superhero’s cape, not a straightjacket

🧠 The emotional toll of running an NDIS biz (and how to avoid burnout)

👥 The power of community support and building real connections

🚀 How personal branding and word of mouth can make or break growth

🔮 The future of NDIS registration and what it means for providers

This is the unfiltered truth about compliance, trust, and staying sane while making a difference in the disability sector.

🎧 Hit play and join us for real talk, practical insights, and a reminder that you’re not alone in this biz.

What do elevator pitches, big dreams, and support workers have in common? They all come together in this feel-good convo between Sarah from the Support Worker Store and Daniel from Jigsaw Australia.

From networking wins to career twists, Daniel spills the tea on:

• What makes a great support worker 💡

• Why partnerships matter more than ever 🤝

• How Jigsaw is transforming lives through real jobs and real skills 💼

• Career advice for anyone wanting to thrive in the NDIS space 🚀

• The reality of support work—the good, the gritty, and the growth 🌱

Whether you're new to disability work or deep in the sector, this chat is packed with insight, warmth, and stories you’ll want to pass on. Hit play and get inspired.

👉 Keywords: disability, support work, Jigsaw Australia, elevator pitch, NDIS, community engagement, career advice, partnerships, transformation, support workers, social impact

In this episode, we sit down with Jack Traynor, Business Development Manager at Care Done Differently and founder of Caffeine Connections — a relaxed, relationship-first networking event changing how professionals connect in the disability support sector.

Jack shares how Caffeine Connections was born to fill a real gap in the industry: a need for casual, no-pressure meetups where NDIS providers, support workers, and community leaders can build genuine connections and collaborations. 💬

We unpack big topics like:

• Why authenticity matters more than sales talk

• How to build a personal brand that actually gets you noticed in disability care

• The real deal with shared living and participant matching

• Tips for new support workers who want to grow their impact and community

Whether you're an NDIS provider, support worker, or just curious about how we can all do care differently—this one’s for you.

☕ Want to join the next Caffeine Connections event? Follow along on socials or reach out to Jack to grab a coffee and connect with your people.

🧡 Curious about how Care Done Differently supports NDIS participants across NSW? Visit caredonedifferently.com.au to learn more about their fresh, person-first approach to support, shared living, and community care.

👉 Let's turn conversations into care—one connection at a time.

In this episode, we dive deep into the NDIS space with someone who gets it — from plan management headaches to community magic. We chat trust, ethics, networking that’s actually fun (yep, it’s possible), and why small providers are kind of a big deal.

✨ Real stories, real strategy, and a few laughs along the way.

🎧 Whether you're a support worker, provider, or just NDIS-curious, this one’s for you.

👉 Wanna connect with Stu or check out what he's building?
Visit his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stu-p-a5693315b
Tell him the Support Worker Store sent you 💬

https://events.humanitix.com/ndis-wizards-networking-and-fundraiser-event-melbourne

In this episode, Sarah from the Support Worker Store sits down with Greg Hart, co-founder of Your Hart to Hart, to unpack their inspiring journey in Australia’s NDIS and disability services sector. From starting out in a church hall to earning industry awards, Greg shares real talk about building a B-Corp social enterprise, overcoming the stigma around for-profit services, and the pivotal role support workers play in participant success.

We dive into the challenges of COVID-19, maintaining quality care, networking to grow community connections, and balancing mental health with a demanding business. Whether you’re an NDIS provider, a support worker, or dreaming of starting your own disability service, this conversation is packed with insights and practical advice.

👉 Connect with Greg and Kerry and learn more about Your Hart to Hart:
www.yourhart2hart.com.au

💡 Keywords:
NDIS, support workers, disability services, business journey, challenges, networking, community care, mental health, work-life balance, social enterprise, awards

🎧 Breaking Barriers: The Story of Tate Kemp
Episode out now on Support Worker – the Podcast

Meet Tate Kemp — marathon walker, disability advocate, and founder of All Abilities Public Speaking. Born with cerebral palsy, Tate’s life hasn’t followed the easy road... but that’s never stopped him from chasing big dreams.

From finishing 13 Melbourne Marathons (yes, really!) to launching his own public speaking business, Tate’s story is packed with resilience, laughs, and real talk. In this episode, Tate shares how he uses his lived experience to teach others about disability, inclusion, and community support — and why he believes that everyone has something to give.

We chat about:

• What kept him going when doctors said he wouldn’t walk or talk

• Why public speaking helps him change minds and open hearts

• The power of school talks and meeting people where they're at

• Raising funds for the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and The Big Freeze

• How sport and community helped shape his identity

• His future goals (spoiler: he’s just getting started)

💬 “It does take a level of resilience… but I’ve had a great team.”

And speaking of that team — Tate wants to say a huge THANK YOU to:
Mum and Dad, Nash Kemp, Pat McKenna, Brad Mangan, Rob Waters, Jordan Ryan, Aaron McLean, Andrew Hall, all the amazing teachers he’s had, and the many legends who’ve supported his journey 💛

🔗 Want to book Tate or learn more?
Head to 👉 www.allabilitiesps.com.au
Follow Tate on Instagram: @allabilitiesps
📣 Share this episode and help us spread awareness one story at a time.

#DisabilityInclusion #NDIS #PublicSpeaking #Resilience #SupportWorkerPodcast #TateKemp #AllAbilitiesPS

Struggling to understand your NDIS plan? You’re not alone — but you don’t have to stay stuck! In this episode, Sarah from the Support Worker Store chats with Allan, founder of Strong Foundation Support, about the everyday wins, challenges, and lessons learned supporting participants through the NDIS maze.

From busted plan reviews to building trust with providers, this chat dives into what really works when it comes to support coordination — with plenty of laughs and lightbulb moments along the way.

🎧 Tune in if you're a participant, support worker, or provider who wants to feel more confident navigating the system.

👉 Check out Allan's work at Strong Foundation Support — where real support meets real understanding.