Teaming up in 2017, Les and Joel began their journey towards Modern Community Solutions ("MCS") by providing complete care services to people we support right across New England in a very proactive partnership. Their fresh approach to NDIS service provision soon saw demand for their services increase exponentially, and they sought to expand their partnership and bring in additional staff.
By 2018, they began to expand the business, as the NDIS rollout in Armidale NSW took off, and ever since they have continued to grow, being mindful not to overreach, so our provision of care and support can meet the expectations of the people we support. This has resulted in the partnership evolving into what is now known as MCS, with Les and Joel in very active Managing Director roles (but they still find time to provide direct support to people we support!)
MCS is currently based in Armidale and services the New England region from Tamworth to Glen Innes.
About
us
As of 2023 we are now providing NDIS Disability Support Care to the Armidale, Uralla, Walcha, Ben Lomond, Glen Innes, Guyra & Tamworth areas.
SERVICE
AREAS
our management team
Les
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Starting off in the community through volunteer youth work at the local PCYC in 2008, I began my introduction to Armidale through Friday night discos and very early Sunday morning markets cooking the BBQ. Not long after this I began tutoring a young man with a disability which changed my trajectory forever.
Completing my Bachelor in Social Science in 2009 I applied for a traineeship at a local disability support provider and stayed for nearly decade of support work. Supporting people in their homes and community was a truly rewarding and humbling experience – witnessing the dignity and resilience during difficult times and the pure enjoyment during the fun times. I have been able to support people through their homes and communities, adventure holidays, charity fashion parades, surgeries, grief, joy and almost everything in between.
Through these experiences I often sought to learn more, while doing support work, I also completed a Cert III in Disability, Diploma of Counselling, Certificates in OHS, Mental Health First Aid and became a Person-Centred Planning Facilitator. I have recently completed a Graduate Certificate in NDIS Business development and am trying to master the unicycle. Variety is the spice of life and all that...
Joel
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I began a life of service and helping people when I joined the Australian Regular Army in 2005 as a Chef, whilst feeding people is an important role I found the community support and outreach side of the armed forces much more rewarding, being posted to Darwin the cyclone recovery crew was our main way of helping people outside the armed forces.
It took me 10 years of working retail and industrial sales jobs in Sydney, while supporting close friends with mental illness, that I realised I was wasting my time and passion selling glue and should spend it focused towards helping people who need it.
Knowing Les since I was 16 years old, it was easy to reach out and get the support to transition into helping others. My experience with business operations and structured work/learning I felt that we could expand our ideas and knowledge to help a wider array of people.
Trevor
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Hello there, it's a pleasure to meet you! My name is Trev, and I have found my calling with the MCS team and engaging with individual-focused support work. I've spent years having a go at a bit of everything, but helping people has always been the foundation that I have derived the most satisfaction from.
Moving into support work has been a culmination of years of different experiences (retail, real estate, uni, law, journalism, policy, mining and more), giving me the opportunity to synergise all of my skills into something extremely rewarding. It has been a joy to meet all of our clients and I am grateful to be invited to be a part of their day-to-day lives.
In my extra-curricular time, I am a keen astrophotographer (here are some of my images: https://www.astrobin.com/users/Theinimitable/), Lego builder, gardener, Raspberry Pie tinkerer, cricket fanatic and a gamer. My favourite dinosaur is the Stegosaur (you can't beat the Thagomizer!) and I take my coffee white with no sugar, thanks.
Jess
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Born and raised in Armidale, I'm a familiar face to many. I have previously worked in retail and the Insurance Industy for over 10 years obtaining my Certificate 3 in Financial Services and Diploma in Insurance Broking.
Having family connections tied to the Disability Sector this piqued my interest in a career change to a position more rewarding.
I was recently offered an amazing opportunity to join the MCS team in an administrative role, which I'm absolutely loving. I bring to the team my organisational skills, efficiency and friendly personality.
Outside of work, I cherish my roles as a wife and loving mother of three.
Balancing work and family life, I enjoy spending quality time with my family, cheering on the sidelines at weekend sports and exploring the hidden gems around the New England and beautiful coast lines.
Matthew
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Hi, I’m Matt!
While looking for employment during my early years of study at UNE Armidale, I found myself drawn to a disability support work role in early 2017. This quickly grew from being an interesting job opportunity to a career I decided I wanted to pursue. As I continued my studies in Exercise Physiology, I built on my passion for supporting others to improve their health and wellbeing
After some years away and trying to figure out life in general during the Covid Pandemic, I eventually ended up returning to work in the Disability Services industry, aiming to integrate exercise prescription into people’s lives with the skills I had acquired - I figured if the pandemic had affected me and people I knew so profoundly then there had to be a similar need for those living with disability. Through exercise interventions, I could increase someone's functional and physical health and ultimately provide benefits to their mental health. To me this was everything after what most of us went through.
After settling back in Armidale and finding my place at MCS, I can confidently say I am one happy chappy: with a Bachelors degree, happy family, great friends and a fantastic participant base and colleagues, how can I not be?
If you need support to develop exercise plans or improve your functionality in everyday life, I’d love to speak with you!
Kristy
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Having originally moved to Armidale in 1996, I’ve spent a significant amount of time in Armidale and its surroundings. In 2000 I completed my Diploma of Applied Science. Although I have a strong interest in the sciences, after several years of working in various roles, I noticed I sought a role working more closely with people. Fast forward to 2013, working in Community Services as a Disability Employment Consultant was pivotal in my career changing for the better. Whilst in this role, I learnt to be more person-centred and worked with individuals with varied experiences of the world around them. After becoming curious about training options, I completed Aged Care and Disability Services qualifications myself. I then went to work providing care in a Community Aged Care role.
I met some very inspirational people during this part of my career, in particular, a very proactive 96 year old woman who inspired me to study for a Certificate IV in Allied Health (Physiotherapy.) Whilst studying again, I also worked in a facility as a physiotherapist’s assistant. I was nursing on the weekends & later had an opportunity to work in a hydrotherapy pool with physiotherapists, supporting patients as they completed their programs. I became passionate about supporting people to work towards their health goals & giving them more tools to empower themselves along the way.
Working with a Disability Support Provider in Armidale, was a role I really enjoyed. I spent time with a variety of individuals, finding what they most enjoyed. Before joining MCS, I worked for an optometrist for several years, later making my way back to the Community Services industry. Working for MCS has provided me with fantastic opportunities to be involved in the daily lives of our clients. I enjoy working with individuals in a person centred & holistic way. I am constantly inspired by the people I work with as I observe what amazing gifts, talents and special interests people have. Also very important to me is helping people to access the services they require, so they can enjoy their life in a meaningful way.
Amongst the things that make me the most happy are being a Mum, spending time with my fiance and our families, flowers & watching the Newcastle Knights play footy. I also love to visit the art gallery as often as possible or to head out to our beautiful National Parks.
tamworth
our
TEAM
Rhys
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I started my career in education and community support services in an unusual way, I quit school!
As a 17 year old with too much hair in my eyes I got my dream job working in a video game store. My love for video games started quite young, I spent many cold Uralla nights playing role playing games with my uncle. My uncle was born with spina bifida and confined to a wheelchair for most of his life. Video games were always a way to connect where he could explore, jump and run alongside me. Working in that industry and meeting others that had stories similar to my uncle inspired me to do the one thing I never thought I would and return to school.
Attending UNE in Armidale I studied to become a high school teacher focused on support learning and ancient history. I took every training opportunity I could from short courses to job training. This led me to working on summer camps for the department of education and communities all across NSW where I taught everything from archery to how to make the best hot milo you've ever had.
I've since expanded my skill set, including running my own business, web development and marketing. I have a passion for learning, connection and personal development through life skills and good old fashion fun. I've experienced a wide variety of long term illness and disability in my own family and it inspired me to join up with MCS and help give a voice to the community that taught me so much growing up.
On my days off you can find me kicking back playing some video games with my dogs or making way too much noise singing along to pop punk songs in the car.
Work with mcs!
What qualifications do I need?
It’s possible to work as a Disability Support Worker without formal qualifications, however we prefer candidates with a relevant vocational qualification such as a Certificate III in Individual support or higher. A First aid certificate or willingness to obtain.
Ensure you have:
Working with Children Check, Police Check, and/or NDIS Worker Screening Check.