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
________________________
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
________________________
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.
Trev
________________________
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 is a joy meeting all of the people in our orbit 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 Pi tinkerer, cricket tragic 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
________________________
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.
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.