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: Patience is a virtue.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: Journalling and self reflection.

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: Patient, Thoughtful, Kind.

Why do you love working at The Next Step:

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

aka Rach

Daniel Hore-Smith

aka Bazz

Dylan Harrison (Hore)

Founder/Owner

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.

Kaile Wiscombe

aka Kails

Best advice: Treat others as you wish to be treated.

How do you personally take steps to becoming a better individual: By trying to look after my health the best I can so I can be the best person, partner, and especially Dad I can be.

Favourite quote: "Live your life, take chances, don't wait. Because right now is the oldest you've ever been and the youngest you will be ever again.

Favourite song: Come as you are - Nirvana.

Fun fact about you: I was a bricklayer for 13 years.

3 words that describe you: Fussy, Fun, Protective.

Why do you love working at The Next Step: I love working at The Next Step as it gives me a sense of achievement everyday by helping our participants achieve some of their goals no matter how big or how small. They put smiles on my face everyday and hopefully I can do the same for them.

Grant Gardiner

aka Narna