Our mission

Our mission is to empower individuals living with disabilities, to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. Our mission is to create new and equal opportunities, to build life skills, friendships and improve overall capacity. We plan to do this by connecting with community, and providing quality fun-filled, group-centred and person-centred programs.

Our Values

Trust

Passion

Empowerment

Growth

Community

Belonging

Our vision

Creating memories. Changing the course.

Our vision is to provide opportunities for individuals to create and cherish new memories, we aim to do this by organising quality social events and overnight excursions. Our vision is to change the course of individuals lives, we aim to create new friendships, find employment, develop new skills, and as staff we will walk beside each person and guide them into their next chapter of life.

Meet the team

Let us introduce you to The Next Step family.

Best advice: To always keep your love on.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: By making good decisions regarding my health, making time to educate myself, and spending lots of quality time with family.

Favourite quote: "I never loose. Either I win or I learn" Nelson Mandela.

Favourite song: Losing My Religion - R.E.M

Fun fact about you: I enjoy training for endurance events, such as marathons and Ironman.

3 words that describe you: Determined, Kind, Patient.

Why did you start The Next Step: I noticed gaps in my local community and my goal was to fill those gaps by providing a service which is easily accessible locally. I enjoy connecting with individuals, and being apart of their journey. I enjoy developing person centre supports and I love seeing goals being achieved.

Best advice: Be you.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: Journalling and self reflection is something I like to practice daily. I also love to do movement everyday as it makes me feel good.

Favourite quote: "Compare yourself to who you were yesterday, not to who someone is today" Jordan Peterson.

Favourite song: You are so beautiful - Joe Crocker.

Fun fact about you: In my spare time, I enjoy playing piano and singing.

3 words that describe you: Helpful, caring and creative.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: I absolutely love working with people & I enjoy having a good laugh. The people that I get to work with have taught me so much. I honestly feel incredibly blessed to be apart of this community.

Best advice: Stay open minded, experience as much as you can, be rich in memories.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: To get the most out of everyday, I work hard to focus on my wellness and health. This helps me stay present and mentally available to give the best version of myself for people.

Favourite quote: "You miss 100% of the shots you don't take" Wayne Gretzky.

Favourite song: Learning to fly - Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers.

Fun fact about you: I can talk to trees.

3 words that describe you: Patient, Enthusiastic, Happy.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: Working with The Next Step has helped me as much as our beautiful participants. There is an overwhelming feel of family within our walls. What I love the most is getting the opportunity to provide or create even the smallest positive difference in someone else's life. This has made me happier than I ever could have hoped. I truly hope I can continue to affect lives the way that Dylan and the family at The Next Step have affected mine.

Rachael Harrison

Daniel Hore-Smith

aka Bazz

Dylan Harrison (Hore)

Founder/Owner

Jasmine Diffey

Best advice: If you want to do something, do it. You don't want to look back and think "I wish I did that". You will only regret the chances you didn't take.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: I exercise regularly even if its just a walk, which makes me feel better in so many ways, it gives me a clearer mind and gets the good endorphins flowing. I also try to limit my screen time and be more present in my day to day. I find that there are always so many things we could be doing to be better but you can only do so much, and as long as you are making an effort in at least one area of your life, then you are on your way to bettering yourself. For me working on my health and fitness makes me feel good, but I also find that balance is key.

Favourite quote: "Nothing in nature blooms all year round, so why should you". I love this because it is an important reminder to not be so hard on yourself, and that we all go through ups and downs.

Favourite song: Dawns - Zach Bryan and Maggie Rogers.

Fun fact about you: I went to college in USA and was on college rodeo team in Kansas.

3 words that describe you: Short, friendly, introvert.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: I love working for The Next Step because you really are a part of a big family. It's a really special thing to be able to help and encourage people and to share their achievements.

Samantha Close

Best advice: There's no growth in the comfort zone. Keep choosing the things that scare you- discomfort is where transformation happens.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: By focusing on regulating my nervous system, slowing down, staying curious and consistent, and self reflection. Yoga and time in nature are currently my favourite practices.

Favourite quote: Live each day in a way that lets you look in the mirror at night and feel proud of the person you see.

Favourite song: Waking up easy- Lime Cordiale

Fun fact about you: I could get lost in a driveway.

3 words that describe you: Inquisitive, considerate, playful.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: There are so many reasons i love working with The Next Step. I feel incredibly lucky to be part of a team that's not only passionate and dedicated, but genuinely cares about each participant and their family. The participants I work with inspire me every day, they show up with energy, enthusiasm, and a real commitment to their goals. Their positivity is infectious, and it's a privilege to support them and be part of their journey toward growth and independence.

Caleb Coe

Best advice: Be slow to anger and quick to forgive.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: Take small steps towards big changes, reinforce positive habits and take accountability.

Favourite quote: " Anyone can cook"- Gusteau, Ratatouille

Favourite song: 29 #Strafford APTS- Bon Iver

Fun fact about you: I like taking photos with old film camera's.

3 words that describe you: Friendly, curious, easygoing.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: Spending time with great coworkers, helping participants better themselves and doing something different everyday.

Sue Bourke

Best advice: Give it a go, you never know.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: To be a better individual I just be myself and respect others.

Favourite quote: Believe you can and you're halfway there.

Favourite song: Drive- Alan Jackson

Fun fact about you: I pull my mars bars apart to eat them.

3 words that describe you: Loud, caring, passionate.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: I love being able to help and support an amazing group of young people. Watching them grow, seeing their smiles, watching them have fun and reaching their goals. It's the best!

Best advice: Don't postpone being the person you want to be.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: Set a goal you want to achieve, make that a habit, then move onto the next goal.

Favourite quote: "You were born to be real, not perfect"- unknown

Favourite song: Any Zach Bryan song.

Fun fact about you: I left school, but I am now studying to be a teacher.

3 words that describe you: Caring, honest, open-minded.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: I love working with The Next Step because I get to see participants grow in different ways. It's a supportive environment and will always welcome everyone with open arms.

Tayla Roulston

Michelle Candy

Best advice: Don't sweat the small stuff. AND it is only small stuff.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: I love learning and think every one of us has the capacity to grow and learn something little every day. I read every day: look things up, I google, I ask lots of questions and enjoy others challenging me and asking questions.

Favourite quote: "It's none of my business what people say of me and think of me. I am what I am, I do what I do". -Sir Anthony Hopkins

Favourite song: Buy Dirt- Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan.

Fun fact about you: I smile at random strangers, i usually get a smile in return. Smiles are contagious and you might just be that something positive in someones day. I am also a bit of a nerd...yup! I love science, math, trivia and star wars.

3 words that describe you: Loyal, compassionate, outdoorsy.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: I love being a positive force to help everyone achieve their best. It's so rewarding to see others succeed and know that you were a part of it.

Kylie Smart

Best advice: It's your choice, it's your decision, it's your consequence.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: Be kind to myself. Find joy in simple things. Practice forgiveness.

Favourite quote: "All it takes is faith, trust and a little bit of pixie dust.

Favourite song: Oh, this is a hard one because i have so many favourites. So for sentimental reason's i'll pick...Toe's- Zach Brown Band.

Fun fact about you: I collect books.

3 words that describe you: I love unconditionally.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: I love working for The Next Step because it's a feel good job with an amazing purpose.

Vashti Muller

Best advice: Just do it.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: I love feedback, stay open to learning and consistently challenge myself to grow both personally and professionally.

Favourite quote: "Never be the smartest person in the room, you can't learn if you're the smartest."

Favourite song: Mr Bright Side- The Killers.

Fun fact about you: I love horse riding and have a horse named Denim.

3 words that describe you: Energetic, bubbly, motivated.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: Creating the best memories with the participants.

Kaile Muller

Best advice: Don't worry about tomorrow, let tomorrow worry about itself.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: Making sure I am surrounded by people that make me feel loved every day is vital for me. I thrive off of positive vibes and love from family and friends. This always encourages & motivates me to be my best self.

Favourite quote: "Negativity is contagious. Unhappiness is contagious. Feat is contagious. But so is happiness." Michael C. Clark.

Favourite song: I won't give up - Jason Mraz.

Fun fact about you: I am 3 years, 3 months, and 3 days younger than one of my brothers.

3 words that describe you: Free-spoken, Ambivert, Friendly.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: I love working at The Next Step because of the amazing people who surround me. These people makes work not feel like "work". It's truly the most rewarding job.

Kirsty Morey

Best advice: Everything always has a way of working out in the end.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: Went on to further study at uni and then was able to travel Australia and overseas as a teacher while exploring many memorable places. I'm always trying to develop a deeper faith which is my cornerstone and strength.

Favourite quote: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me". Phillipians 4:13

Favourite song: Dance Monkey- Tones and I

Fun fact about you: I like doing front flips off the side of the pool.

3 words that describe you: Caring, Fun, Creative.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: I love how genuine, caring and honest the founders of The Next Step are and always willing to support staff and families. I love working with my participants, and we have a ton of fun together sharing many varied experiences in our community.