Chosen Family, Real Belonging & the Support Work That Changes Lives

Chosen Family, Real Belonging & the Support Work That Changes Lives

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah chats with Traidy, founder of Chosen Family, about support work, advocacy, inclusion, and what it really means to create a place where people feel safe, seen, and supported. Traidy shares how he went from law, ministry, and community work into support work, and how one unexpected shift helped lead to the creation of Chosen Family. This conversation dives into LGBTQIA+ inclusion, cultural care, disability support, belonging, AI, leadership, and why good support work is never just “a shift.” It is connection, trust, choice, and sometimes helping someone build a whole new life. We also talk about the power of chosen family, why providers need to keep learning, and how support workers can make a real impact when they take the time to truly know the person in front of them. To learn more about Chosen Family, visit: https://www.chosen.family/ [https://www.chosen.family/]

Creating SIL Match: Helping People Find the Right Supported Living Arrangement

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I chat with Umberine Williams, founder of SIL Match, about her journey through the disability sector and why she created a platform to help people find better supported living matches. Umberine shares her background as a Local Area Coordinator, her volunteer work with the Office of the Public Advocate, and what she learned from seeing supported accommodation before and after the NDIS. We talk about the real challenges participants, families, support coordinators and providers face when trying to find the right SIL arrangement — because finding a house is one thing, but finding the right people to live with is a whole different story. We also unpack how SIL Match works, why profiles are anonymous, how matching is based on real preferences and support needs, and why participant choice and safety need to sit at the centre of everything. This is a great listen for support coordinators, SIL providers, participants, families, and anyone who cares about people living in homes that actually feel like home. Find SIL Match at silmatch.org or connect with Umberine [https://www.linkedin.com/in/umberine-williams-a0458b74/] on LinkedIn.

Kindship CEO Hayley Thiele on NDIS Reforms, Parents and Plan Management

In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, I sit down with Hayley Thiele, CEO of Kindship, for a real and honest chat about NDIS changes, plan management, parenting, support workers, and what families are feeling right now. Hayley shares her story as a mum of three, her journey into the disability sector, and how her lived experience led her into support coordination and now Kindship. We talk about: NDIS reforms and why families are feeling overwhelmed What Kindship does for parents and carers Why clear NDIS information matters The role of plan managers How Kindship is building community and education for families Why support workers are still the beating heart of good care This conversation is honest, easy to understand, and full of lived experience. No fear-mongering. No jargon soup. Just a real chat about what is happening in the NDIS and why families, providers and support workers need clear information more than ever. Learn more about Kindship here: https://www.kindship.com.au/supportpathways [https://www.kindship.com.au/supportpathways]

Keeley’s Cause: From School Exclusion to 691 iPads for Kids With Autism

She Was Denied an iPad at School — Now Keeley’s Cause Has Helped 691 Kids With Autism In this episode of Sarah Knows Support Workers, Sarah chats with Sharon from Keeley’s Cause about the powerful story behind the charity changing lives through iPads, communication, and inclusive education. Keeley struggled through school, bullying, and being denied the technology that could have supported her learning. After receiving a diagnosis of mild intellectual disability, Keeley turned her pain into purpose and told her mum she wanted to start a charity so other children would not have to go through what she did. Today, Keeley’s Cause has provided 691 iPads to children with autism, intellectual disability, and communication needs across Australia. Sarah and Sharon talk about: How Keeley’s Cause started Why iPads can be life-changing for autistic and non-verbal children The reality for families trying to access assistive technology Why inclusive education still has a long way to go The emotional impact of giving children a way to communicate The upcoming Keeley’s Cause Gala and how people can support This is a beautiful conversation about advocacy, disability, education, family, and what happens when one young person decides to make the world a little fairer. Support Keeley’s Cause: Website: keeleyscause.org.au Instagram/Facebook: Keeley’s Cause

How We Made It to 100 Episodes: Support Workers, NDIS Stories and Real Sector Conversations

We made it to 100 episodes of Sarah Knows Support Workers — and honestly, I don’t think I realised how big that was until now. This podcast started with no fancy business plan, no perfect strategy, and no big production team behind it. It started because I genuinely enjoy talking to people in the NDIS, disability and aged care sector. I love hearing how people got started, what they have learned, what they are still figuring out, and how they keep showing up when things get hard. In this solo episode, I reflect on the journey to 100 episodes and what this podcast has taught me about support workers, NDIS providers, business owners, participants, leadership, burnout, sector change and resilience. The truth is, the NDIS sector is not easy right now. There are big changes happening. Providers are under pressure. Support workers are tired. Participants and families are trying to understand what comes next. But through all of that, there are still people doing incredible work every single day. This episode is a celebration, but it is also a real conversation. I talk about why the podcast has lasted this long, why curiosity matters, why support workers need more honest conversations, and why storytelling is so important in this sector. Every guest, every solo episode and every listener has helped shape this podcast into something much bigger than I expected. If you work in the NDIS, aged care, disability support, support coordination, provider space, or frontline care, this episode is for you. Thank you for listening, sharing, supporting and being part of the first 100 episodes. Here’s to more real talk, more learning, more sector stories and more conversations that actually matter.