NEW LEAF DISABILITY SUPPORT
Be supported the way you want to be ...
New Leaf Disability Supports (NLDS) was founded in 2021 as a way to give back to our community by supporting those who need the high quality, safe and customizable support we all deserve. We pride ourselves on being able to work alongside with our participants and their support networks to ensure they have the supports they really need in a way that works for them. Because of our extensive combined industry experience, we are able to provide the people we support with the professionalism and knowledge of working with a larger organisation, with the customizability and focus of usually only found with a smaller provider. We are currently available to provide services to anyone with a plan or self-managed NDIS plan for Community Participation, Recovery Coaching and Respite/STA services.
If you'd like to get in touch we'll work closely with you to see how we can support you in turning over a new leaf.
Matt Googh
(Managing Director)
Matthew started in youth support in 2015 work but quickly found himself supporting people with various disabilities throughout this. Many of Matthew’s beliefs and passions stem from his own experiences with a learning disability and lifelong experience supporting his brother to live his best life. He believes in an honest, upfront approach that doesn’t ‘box’ participants into inflexible and outdated support models. Matthew also endeavours to create a company that supports not just the participants but also the support workers, who are the core foundation of providing quality support.
Matthew holds a double Bachelor of Business and Commerce degree, majoring in human resources and economics and is currently undertaking a Master of Social Work. He is approaching nine years in the industry and hopes to continue to use his social work background to help participants have their own voices.
Outside work, Matthew plays football, guitar, walks his dog, and attempts not to eat too much pizza when he is out with friends.
Matt Wilkie
(Managing Director)
Matthew began his support career in 2012 and spent 6 years as a Disability Support Worker in the Newcastle and Maitland, before stepping into Team Leader and Senior & National Management roles within the industry. During his time as a support worker he spent 2 years in a fully supported brain injury unit, 3 years in a supported accomodation supporting young men with behavioural support needs and various other Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes, community participation groups and other participants in between.
After stepping into management roles, Matthew noticed a general lack of understanding and knowledge around SIL supports within NDIS providers and this became a large focus area for him. Matthew believes that all people deserve to be treated as individuals and ultimately aims to assist the participants who generally "fall through the cracks" in the current systems, to ensure people are appropriately supported and have their needs truly met, not only by the people providing the supports, but also the systems serving them.
Outside of work Matthew loves camping, 4wding, hiking and getting into the outdoors with his friends, his partner and animal friends.
