Welcome to Living Lab - where we support you to empower your inner boss!
Living Lab provides lived-experience mentoring, advocacy, suport work & skills development for young people with disability, going through transitions or needing support with changes or just wanting to try something new. We help you build skills, confidence and support so you can do life on your terms!
Nurturing Growth for children, youth & young adults
Living Lab provides professional & lived-experience mentoring, support & advocacy for young people with disability. We help to build skills, confidence and support so you can do life on your terms! And because every young person is individual, we individualise our services to ensure we meet you where you're at! Whether that be virtual support, in-person support, practicing new tasks together or whatever is required to motivate & ensure young people feel empowered.
Practical support for real life - cooking, cleaning, routines and all the everyday stuff that matters to you!
Know your rights. Use your voice. We help you to speak up for yourself and build unshakable self-belief!
NDIS, healthcare, housing, government services - find the way with less stress and more confidence!
Explore your interests and opportunities. Whether it's creating a resume, engaging with an agency, studying, working or volunteering - we help you discover your individual path!
Build and maintain meaningful friendships and relationships. Feel connected, included, and part of your community!
Do you have big dreams, goals or activities you're dead-set on doing but cannot afford? We can support you to build financial confidence - understanding money, savings, budgeting, and making it work for your lifestyle!
Get out, get involved, feel included. We support you to engage with your community in ways that matter to you. Do you want to holiday independently, or go to a sporting event - we can navigate alongside you to make things happen!
Dream it. Plan it. Do it. We help you set meaningful goals and build a roadmap to get there. As well, we support you to create routines, develop reminders and achieve greatness!
About us
Hello, I'm Mel! I have a physical disability upon which requires me to use a wheelchair, as well as experience with mental illness. Further, I have an adolescent daughter whose taught me a lot about parenting, advocacy and 'standing up' for what's real and right.
Having a psychosocial disability alongside a physical disability for the past 20 years, I've had the opportunity to explore the world through a unique lens. Through conversations, friendships / relationships, personal growth, university study, modern inventions and attending conferences, I've developed knowledge not only for my own purpose, but to support and strengthen the lives of young people across Australia.
Previously, I've worked in a vast array of positions including not-for-profits in the child, youth & family space, at the Department of Families, Fairness & Housing (DFFH) as a disability advisor, and as a disability advocate and mentor throughout 1000's of schools around Victoria.
In addition, I also have complete postgraduate study in Disability & Inclusion, which helps me to combine professional knowledge with real lived experience.
In starting Living Lab, my goal is to help young people to navigate change and build confidence, skills and independence — their way.
There's a place for you here!
I'm a young person with disability :
You're looking to build confidence, skills and independence — your way. Living Lab's lived-experience mentoring is designed for you. Let's have a chat about what you need.
I'm a family member or carer :
You want the best for your young person and you're looking for genuine, experienced support. I'd love to talk about how Living Lab can help.
I'm a support professional :
You work with young people with disability and want to refer someone to Living Lab, or explore how we might work together. Referrals are always welcome.