Marching Forward

26/05/2026

This hit hard.
Behind every NDIS budget line is a real human being, a family, a routine, a purpose, and a life that has taken years to build.

At Marching Forward, we see firsthand how Social & Community Participation funding changes lives. It’s not “just activities.”
It’s confidence.
It’s emotional regulation.
It’s skill development.
It’s friendships.
It’s independence.
It’s belonging.

For many participants, these supports are the difference between simply existing… and truly living.

Stories like Brodie’s matter because they remind us what’s actually at stake when changes are made without listening to the people directly impacted.

Every person deserves the opportunity to feel valued, connected, purposeful, and included in their community.

If these changes could impact you or your family, now is the time to share your story. Write to your local MP. Speak up. Help decision-makers understand what these supports truly mean in everyday life.

Because this isn’t just policy.
It’s people.

My name is Zoe Sandell. I’m the mother and legal guardian of Brodie Lunn, a 27‑year‑old non‑speaking, profoundly Autistic man. I share guardianship with my wife, Amy Hocking.

I’m writing this because the new NDIS power under s 34A allows the Minister to cut funding from any support category by legislative instrument, with no review rights. The first cut is already locked in: Social and Community Participation, starting 1 October 2026.

For most people, that might sound like a technical change.
For Brodie, it is life‑changing in the worst possible way.

Brodie uses his Social & Community Participation funding to run a small micro‑business with his friend Alex — Mow Your Own Future. With support workers, they mow lawns three days a week in their community. It gives Brodie purpose, routine, pride, physical activity, social connection, and a meaningful life outside the “babysitting‑style” day programs he attends on the other two days.

If this funding is cut, Brodie loses:

His micro‑business

His community connections

His only meaningful weekly activity

His skill development

His emotional regulation and stability

His identity and sense of purpose

We have spent years building a life where Brodie is included, valued, and engaged.
These changes risk taking all of that away.

I am speaking out because Brodie cannot.
And because every person with profound disability deserves more than passive care — they deserve a life with meaning, connection, and dignity.

If you care about Autistic adults, disability rights, or the future of the NDIS, please pay attention to what s 34A means. This isn’t just policy. It affects real people, real families, and real lives.

Make a submission to the Senate Committee at https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Committees/Senate/Community_Affairs/NDISFutureGenBill and here's an easy template guide on how to do that athttps://www.selfmanagerhub.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/SMH-Senate-submission-and-MP-letter-template-May-2026.pdf and here are some more unofficial Q&Ashttps://www.selfmanagerhub.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/NDIS-Bill-Workshop-Answers-Self-Manager-Hub-May-2026.pdf

26/05/2026

🍜 ONLY 3 SPOTS LEFT 🍜

Something incredible happens when confidence starts with something as simple as cooking your own meal.

A participant who once stood back and watched…
Now follows recipes independently.
Uses kitchen appliances safely.
Starts conversations while cooking.
And proudly plates up a meal they created themselves.

That’s the power of Global Kitchen™.

Starting Friday 5th June in Kallangur, this 12-week NDIS-funded program is designed to build far more than cooking skills.

Through hands-on cooking classes exploring cuisines from around the world, participants develop:
✔ Independence & daily living skills
✔ Confidence in the kitchen
✔ Social connection & teamwork
✔ Planning, sequencing & problem-solving
✔ Kitchen safety & appliance use
✔ Real-world life skills in a supportive environment

With small groups, every participant receives personalised guidance while learning in a safe, structured and encouraging space.

And the best part?
Every session ends with participants sitting together to enjoy the meals they created themselves. ❤️

📍 Kallangur
📅 Starts Friday 5th June, 10am-1pm
⏳ ONLY 3 SPOTS REMAINING

If you're ready to build confidence, independence and practical life skills in a way that feels fun, social and empowering — now is the time.

Message us to receive the info pack or book a call.
https://marchingforward.com.au/globalkitchen

20/05/2026

There are moments in this that remind us exactly why we do what we do ❤️

A huge congratulations to Linzy, who has officially started a volunteer role with Wesley Mission, while completing her WorkLaunch program with us.

Linzy will be helping make teas and coffees, and taking care of the magazine run ☕📰

But what makes this moment even more special is the journey it took to get here.

Linzy pushed herself through every single step independently:
✔️ Cold calling
✔️ Approaching organisations
✔️ Crafting her resume
✔️ Completing medical checks
✔️ Applying for her Yellow Card
✔️ Attending interviews and meetings

When we first met Linzy, speaking to someone new felt overwhelming. Now? She’s heading off to her very first shift wanting to do it on her own… no support worker needed.

And THAT is the goal.

Support workers aren’t here to create dependence. We’re here to build confidence, skills and independence so participants can eventually brave the world on their own terms.

Watching this growth has been incredible and our hearts are so full. We are beyond proud of you, Linzy!

14/05/2026

Our very first KidsConnection™ session on Monday was nothing short of amazing!!!

This week was all about creating a space where kids felt safe, welcomed, included and connected. Together, our group:
✨ Created our own “group promises” to help everyone feel safe and respected
✨ Took part in fun name + movement games to build confidence and connection
✨ Decorated personalised name art cards sharing the things they love
✨ Explored “superpower strengths” like kindness, bravery, creativity and curiosity
✨ Practised emotional check-ins and reflection in a supportive environment
✨ Played an Active Listening Game where children asked each other questions, listened carefully to the answer, then had to “parrot back” what was said before answering their own question — helping build listening skills, memory, confidence and respectful communication

The best part?
Watching kids who walked in nervous slowly start smiling, chatting, participating and connecting with each other 🥹

KidsConnection™ isn’t just about social skills.
It’s about helping children feel understood, capable and connected in a world that can sometimes feel overwhelming.

We cannot wait for next Monday already 💫

07/05/2026

We are SO proud to share that our participant Ezra has officially launched their very first business venture… 🎉

📸 Pet Photography Sessions are now LIVE!

This is exactly what we’re all about — turning passions into real opportunities, building confidence, and creating meaningful pathways forward 💛

If you’ve ever wanted beautiful photos of your pet while also supporting a young person stepping into their independence… this is your moment.

Let’s get behind Ezra and help make these sessions a HUGE success 🙌

📩 Book now via the link in the post or send them a DM!

I’m currently expanding my pet photography portfolio and I’m looking for a small number of gorgeous pets to photograph as part of some upcoming sessions.

Because these are portfolio-building sessions, I’m offering them for $99 (normally $299) on the 13th of May at Warner.

Your session includes:
🐾 A pre-session consultation to plan your pet’s shoot
📸 A 30min professional photoshoot
🌿 Warner location
💻 A private online viewing session to select your favourites
✨ 15 professionally edited high-resolution images (no watermark)

These sessions are perfect if you’ve always wanted beautiful, professional photos of your pet to treasure forever.
Please DM me if you're interested in booking a session or book here: https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/pet-photography-session-99

23/04/2026

Real skills. Real confidence. Real progress.

Today in LifeLaunch, these incredible young women absolutely stepped up 💪

We explored:
🚨 How to respond in emergency situations
🥗 How to prepare a meal without needing to cook
📄 How to create and print their own resumes
🤝 And then… heading out into the real world to hand them out!

And the shift? You could feel it.

That moment when confidence clicks… when they realise “I can actually do this” — that’s what today was about.

Watching them walk into businesses, speak up, and back themselves was honestly everything. Their confidence went through the roof!

This is why we do what we do.
Not just support… but building real-life skills that change futures.

22/04/2026

There’s been a lot of conversation lately around the changes to the NDIS… and we’re hearing what so many families are feeling.

For many, the hardest part isn’t just the change itself but it’s the fear of losing the people who truly get you. The independent support workers who have taken the time to build trust, who understand your child, your routines, your world… the ones who feel more like extended family than a service.

That loss feels personal. And it matters.

So we wanted to take a moment to reintroduce ourselves….not just as a provider, but as people who deeply understand why this matters so much.

Marching Forward began over five years ago from one mum’s simple but powerful vision to create a space where neurodivergent children and teens could feel seen, supported, and celebrated for exactly who they are.

Lou, a mum from a neurodivergent household, knows firsthand how overwhelming it can be to navigate supports. She saw the gaps. The disconnection. The way families were often left feeling like just another number in a system that didn’t always understand them.

That’s where it started.

Not as a “service”… but as a response to a real need for something more human.

When Alicia came on board, it was because that vision aligned deeply. As someone who is AuDHD, raising neurodivergent children, she saw the opportunity to expand that same heart-led approach, especially for teens and adults who needed support building confidence, independence, and real-world skills.

Together, we built Marching Forward into what it is today. A registered provider who actually cares!

A place where support still feels personal.
Where relationships come first.
Where participants aren’t just supervised — they’re understood, encouraged, and empowered.

Behind every program is a team of down-to-earth, genuinely caring people who bring both lived experience and professional understanding. We don’t just “run programs”… we walk alongside each participant, celebrating progress, individuality, and the small (but meaningful) wins.

From Kids Connection, to LifeLaunch, WorkLaunch and Global Kitchen… everything we do is designed to build real capacity — confidence, communication, independence, and connection in a way that feels safe and supportive.

We know things are changing.

But one thing that will never change for us… is why we do what we do.

If you’re feeling uncertain right now, you’re not alone. And if you’re navigating what these changes mean for your family, we’re always here for a conversation.

Because at the end of the day, this has never just been about services.

It’s about people.
It’s about connection.
And it’s about making sure no one feels like they’re doing this alone.

19/04/2026

Weekends done differently 💛

Our STA/STR weekends aren’t just about getting out of the house… they’re about building real-life skills, confidence, and genuine social connections in a way that actually feels enjoyable.

From the moment our participants arrive, it’s all about choice and control — what they feel like, what they need, and how they want to spend their time.

✨ Time to recharge with art, quiet moments, or creative expression

🍽 A shared restaurant experience where everyone builds confidence in real community settings — from reading the menu, making choices that suit their taste, to communicating directly with staff to request changes or ask questions

🛒 Planning together, shopping together, and building independence through everyday tasks

🥐 Pre-planning breakfast and making it themselves the next morning — real-life, practical skills in action

🧀 Creating a shared charcuterie board — teamwork, decision-making, and social interaction all rolled into one

Every moment is intentionally designed to support:
✔ Capacity building
✔ Social and community participation
✔ Daily living skills
✔ Confidence and independence

But most importantly… it never feels like “support work.”
It feels like connection, laughter, and a weekend they actually look forward to.

Because at Marching Forward, we’re not just filling time — we’re building futures.

11/04/2026

Today our crew took on Movie World… and wow, what a day.

Yes, there were rollercoasters, laughs, and a LOT of excitement…
But behind all of that, there was some seriously amazing growth happening.

✔ Navigating a busy environment
✔ Waiting in lines (and managing the patience that comes with it 😅)
✔ Making group decisions on what to do next
✔ Supporting each other through nerves and big emotions
✔ Practising independence while still feeling safe and supported

We saw friendships building, confidence growing, and some HUGE wins — especially from those who stepped outside their comfort zones 💪

These are the moments that matter.
Real-life experiences. Real-life skills. Real-life progress.

And the best part? They didn’t even realise how much they were learning.

Just thought they were having the best day ever 🎉

07/04/2026

Not just a pizza & pool day… 🍕💦

Days like this are where SO much growth happens (and the best part is… they don’t even realise it).

✔️ Building social skills through sharing, turn taking & group decisions
✔️ Developing independence with planning, shopping & food prep
✔️ Strengthening communication by working together as a team
✔️ Creating real friendships in a relaxed, supportive environment

We started by sitting down together and deciding what pizzas we wanted (lots of opinions 😅), wrote up a shopping list, headed to the shops, then came back and made everything from scratch.

Even picked veggies straight from the garden 🌱 chopped them up and added them in.

Then of course… pool time, badminton, pickleball and just having FUN.

This is what capacity building looks like when it’s done right.
Real life skills. Real connections. Real confidence.

Not babysitting. Not just keeping busy.
Actually helping them grow.

And we get to do it in a way they genuinely love ❤️