Beyond Barriers Support

19/03/2026

PARTICIPANT SPOTLIGHT

We’re keeping this participant anonymous, but we’re proud to share their story with care, respect, and honesty.

18 months ago, "BB" came to Beyond Barriers Support shortly after a mental health hospital admission during a period of significant psychological distress. Alongside psychosocial disability and the pressure of navigating a neurotypical world as an autistic person, everyday life had become overwhelming.

What makes BB’s story so powerful is that they kept saying yes, and over time, those yeses built into real progress.

That looked like:

• sorting belongings and making decisions about what to keep, sell, or donate
• walking in East Lismore, Ballina, and busier spaces
• trying bakeries in search of the best custard tart
• grounding when negative self-talk became loud
• ending shifts early when things felt too overwhelming, with care, not judgement.
• building swimming and exercise goals, learning new strokes, and achieving more laps
• building trust, consistency, and confidence in everyday life

On March 9, BB reached a milestone that once felt far away: a supported trip to Movie World on the Gold Coast.

For BB, this meant feeling:

• happy
• safe
• comfortable
• confident

This achievement reflects the support of a wider team. Alongside Emma and Nia, our support workers, BB has also been supported by family, an independent coordinator, and an independent support worker.

At Beyond Barriers Support, we know that not all disability is visible, and that growth is rarely linear. Our approach is shaped by neurodiversity-affirming practice, recognising that many autistic people have spent years masking or suppressing their needs just to cope in environments not designed for them.

This is what capacity building can look like.
This is what building daily living skills, community access, emotional regulation, and confidence can look like.

We are incredibly proud of BB. Their progress shows that meaningful change is often built quietly, through courage, consistency, and the willingness to keep going.

And that is what it means to go beyond barriers. 💙

17/03/2026

Each Beyond Barriers Support worker carries a PPE kit in their car to help keep visits safe, hygienic, and prepared. Kits include masks, gloves, bandaids, hand sanitiser, and we’ve customised each kit with earplugs and a mini fidget for comfort support when needed.

Each kit also includes an Emergency Contact card, a Mental Health Grounding card, and a Refill card. simple tools to help workers respond quickly, calmly, and consistently on shift.

16/03/2026

Come to Clifford Park this Friday and meet the staff of Rekindling the Spirit.

Lots of activities, free food and lots more for the whole family.

11/03/2026

𝐀 𝐛𝐢𝐠 𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭 💙

From day one, becoming 𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐝 was one of our top priorities.

Because we knew registration would take significant time, work, and financial investment, and it was important to us to build Beyond Barriers Support to a high standard from the very beginning.

We’re proud to share that we have now completed our 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝟐 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭, and our application has officially been sent to the 𝐍𝐃𝐈𝐒 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐥.

𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐦𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐭?
Because it helps make sure providers are:
• safe
• accountable
• properly trained
• meeting the standards expected under the NDIS

This process includes an 𝐢𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐩𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐨𝐫 reviewing:
• policies
• systems
• records
• staff training
• how the service operates

For us, this matters because too many people in our community have been let down by poor support. More than half of our participants have been negatively affected by previous providers, and that is one of the reasons we have taken this process so seriously.

Over the past 12 months, this has meant late nights, meetings, paperwork, policy reviews, system improvements, and a major investment in doing things properly. We also worked with Platinum Certification as our independent auditor throughout this journey.

We’re also proud that every member of our team has completed 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝟏𝟕 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐞𝐬 in addition to mandatory NDIS training. That extra learning reflects our commitment to providing support that is professional, compassionate, person-centred, and always improving.

This is a milestone we are very proud of, and we’re grateful to everyone who has supported us along the way.

𝐁𝐞𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐁𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭

05/03/2026

This week marks four years since the February/March 2022 floods, and for many in Lismore and the Northern Rivers, this time of year brings a lot back.

Lismore has faced floods for generations. For Beyond Barriers Support’s founders, Corbyn and Emma, 2017 was the first time it personally disrupted life. At 23, access to work was lost, uni was thrown off track, and community suddenly meant everything.

By February 2022, Beyond Barriers Support was still a dream, a conversation, but we were already deeply connected to support work and employment consulting. When the flood hit, Emma was 23 weeks pregnant. Our family was flooded out too, and at first we couldn’t access town, but we knew there was a huge amount of work ahead for everyone.

Corbyn was serving as a retained on-call firefighter with 362 Lismore at the time, and we hold deep respect for the firefighters and first responders who step in during these moments, and who continue to serve our region. (Goonellabah and Lismore are always looking for new recruits).

Once access returned, we did what so many locals did, we showed up. Corbyn helped pull destroyed furniture out to the road, while Emma collected donated meals from to deliver to friends who’d been flooded and were without power/cooking. We supported loved ones who had lost their homes, and shared our home with friends and family who needed somewhere safe to stay. Small moments of hope mattered too, like the familiar comfort of firing back up.

We also know this is just one story. Every one of our team members, and every participant, carries their own flood story, how it changed routines, homes, work, health, and hope. These stories connect our community on a deep, personal level.

These moments became stepping stones, helping shape the foundations of Beyond Barriers Support: built from lived experience, community, and the belief that hope and empowerment can be rebuilt, together. 💛

If you feel comfortable, share in the comments one small moment of kindness or support you remember from 2022.

02/03/2026

There is so much happening across the Northern Rivers over the next few months. Here's our quick free community event guide. Beyond Barriers Support can assist participants to access and enjoy local events safely and confidently.
Reach out to us to plan your next outing.

29/01/2026

We are taking expressions of Interest!
Seeking a support Worker

We’re growing our team! Join us for participant-led support across Lismore & Northern Rivers.

Role & Requirements:
• Provide nuroaffirming support for a range of disabilities including ASD and complex needs.
• Personal care and high-needs support (e.g., showering, lifting, wheelchair care).
• Strong note-taking, communication and mobile-savvy
• Driver’s licence
• NDDS Worker Screening Check, Working With Children Check & NDIS Orientation Module
• willingness to obtain all of the above and complete any training required.

We encourage people from all minority and under-represented communities. Including Indigenous, q***r, neurodivergent, students, and anyone with lived experience

Why Beyond Barriers?
• Family-owned, 30+ yrs lived experience, small supportive team
• Flexible, person-centred work without the admin & isolation of independent contracting
• Super + competitive pay, training & ongoing support
• Flexible hours 10-38h per week (pending suitability to participants)
• Inclusive culture, your voice matters

Feel free to highlight your unique skills: yoga, gaming, art, hiking, music, or community activities!

Email: admin@beyondbarrierssupport.com
Expressions close on the 20th of February.

Disability Support for the Northern Rivers

16/01/2026

Most people walk in “just to have a look.”

A few hours later they’re rolling dice, arguing about rules, laughing at terrible luck, and making plans for next week.

Tabletop games do more than fill tables — they bring people together in ways modern life often forgets to.

From quiet paint nights and casual midweek games, to the competitive buzz of tournaments and the chaos of Blood Bowl & Beers, real community forms in the spaces between turns.

We’ve just published a new article on the website exploring how that happens, and why it matters.

If you’ve ever wondered why this place feels the way it does (or if you’ve been thinking about pulling up a chair for the first time), this one’s for you.

Read it here: https://www.thecrosnest.com.au/s/stories/how-tabletop-games-build-real-community

06/01/2026

While we usually keep our participants anonymous, there are some stories that deserve to be shared, with pride, permission, and purpose. 💛

Meet Joshua Fry.

As we move into the new year, we want to honour something incredibly powerful Josh achieved: his first sober Christmas in well over a decade. He’s also now 6 months alcohol-free and smoke-free! A huge achievement that reflects courage, commitment, and support.

Josh’s progress didn’t start with the big wins, it started small:
🌙 cooking and cleaning at home
🌙 building routines and confidence
🌙 exploring interests and future possibilities

With the support of Corbyn (Coordinator) and Connor and Cameron (Key Support Workers), those small steps grew into meaningful change. Josh even used the money he saved through sobriety to invest in real-life, enriching experiences, including seeing the F1 at the Gold Coast 🏁, with dreams of Bathurst this year.

Josh didn’t become someone new; he became more himself.

For many neurodivergent people, years of pressure to hide needs or “fit in” can create deep stress and disconnection. Masking, often a survival response, has been linked to burnout and mental health challenges. Understanding this shapes how we support people.

At Beyond Barriers Support, our focus is on creating safety, choice, and empowerment, so people can reconnect with their strengths and sense of self. Our approach is informed by voices like Dr Devon Price (Unmasking Autism), who highlights the cost of long-term masking and the power of identity-affirming support.

Stories like Josh’s remind us what’s possible when support is built on respect, safety, and belief. We believe the power already exists within every person, and with the right support, people can go beyond barriers.

💛 If you’re looking for neuroaffirming, person-centred support that focuses on real-life outcomes, we’re here.

24/12/2025

Beyond Barriers Support wishes a beautiful holiday season to all our participants, staff, and their families. 💙

Our group workshops will be on hold until the week of the 5th of January, while our one-to-one supports continue as usual outside of public holidays.

We’ve got some exciting announcements coming in January 2026 so stay tuned! ✨🌙

11/12/2025

🎨☕ Coffee & Craft Fridays! ☕🎨

Our Art Club is a relaxed, low-pressure social group where you can create, connect, and explore your creativity at your own pace. Bring your own craft ideas or dive into the activities we provide, we’re here to support your confidence, skills, and self-expression.

Usually held at The Quad or the Library, it’s a gentle space to meet new people, try something fun, and enjoy a slow morning with community. 💛

Everyone is welcome, come as you are, create how you like.

03/12/2025

On this International Day of People with Disability, our hearts are with the beautiful community we’re so lucky to walk alongside in the Northern Rivers.

To every person we support whether you live with physical disability, are neurodivergent, live with chronic illness or any other diagnosis please know this, you are valued, you are important, and our community is richer because you are in it.

Each year this day reminds us how much of a privilege it is to do what we do. We’ve watched lives change in big and small ways new friendships, new routines, new skills, new confidence and we are endlessly grateful to play even a tiny part in those moments.

Thank you for your trust, your honesty, your patience and your humour. We see you, we celebrate you, and we’re here for the long haul.

Beyond Barriers Support proudly supporting our Northern Rivers disability community, today and every day.