Who we are and how we got here
Keanah, Nelson and Maxim have all worked within the disability sector and related fields for close to a decade. During this time, they met and came together to work as a team in disability service delivery. They worked together like a well-, premium-oiled machine (none of that cheap, synthetic stuff) but knew that they could be doing more for their clients and their staff. So, they decided to form their own company, Adaptable Support Services, with the goal of providing the best support to all their clients, and making sure that every client, staff, and family receives the consideration and care that they deserve.
The company was formed in February 2023 and began providing support services in May. Since then, Adaptable opened a hub at 74b Downs Street, North Ipswich, which is open to anyone for a visit (look for the big green Chameleon) and is frequently used by our staff and clients as a place to socialise, attend groups, learn different skills, and just let some steam off. Clients are able to use the facilities whenever they want and the directors are always available, whether you are looking for support, for work, or to just come in for a chat and some advice.
Our slogan “As the world grows and changes, we adapt” was chosen as a way to reflect how we want to run a disability support business - using modern and progressive business processes, and ensuring that HOW we provide supports reflects this as well. We never want to be stuck in the past, nor do we ever want any individuals or communities to feel like their ever-evolving needs are being ignored or forgotten.
Keanah Finn
I have been working in disability for around 10 years, and was first introduced to the disability space by both my brother and by my friend (now partner). I grew up around disabilities, with multiple of my family members having various disabilities. I also first began learning Auslan (Australian sign language) at a young age, when I was first diagnosed with a hearing impairment.
I first began support work as a way to transition into becoming a teacher aid, where I wanted to specialise in interpreting Auslan. I ended up loving the work and have stayed in the industry since, working through various roles: as a support worker, as a service delivery officer, and as a director. To this day I continue to work in each of these roles in the process of running Adaptable.
In my spare time I enjoy spending time with my partner, going on day trips into the country, 4-wheel driving and camping, and love to travel near and far. I’m big on learning about various cultures and about spending time in culturally rich countries; my favourite country that I have visited so far is India. I am also obsessed with cows and Christmas!
The Directors
Nelson Hurry
I was introduced to support work by a friend and had started working in the field in 2018. After approximately 3 years of support work and completing my Certificate III in Individual Support, I slowly began to transition into service delivery and managerial roles, developing the skills and knowledge that have been invaluable in establishing and running Adaptable.
All throughout this time and prior, for the last 8 years, I have coached football at St Edmunds college. Currently I coach the First XI team and have been for the last 3 years, while running the junior grades’ Football Academy and school holiday training camps for Moggill Football Club. My strong fitness and sporting background has also let me establish an effective Fitness and Nutrition group at Adaptable, where participants learn to both move and fuel their bodies, learning about the benefits of various foods and building basic cooking skills.
I am very approachable and easy to talk to, and always try to do the best for my staff and clients. I enjoy most sports and fitness activities, extreme sports, watching movies and TV, and playing video games. I am a huge nerd, who loves anime and manga, and my favourite fictional characters are Monkey D. Luffy and Roronoa Zoro from One Piece!
Maxim Kozlov
Throughout my life I have worked in various roles ranging from coaching swimming, to managing security teams. What lead me into support work though, was my psychology background and, much like Keanah and Nelson, my want to help people. In particular, I wanted to work with people of diverse backgrounds, largely due to my personal and family experiences. I was born and lived in Russia, and finished my schooling after moving to New Zealand.
I finished my psychology honours degree and completed a thesis on the social support benefits of table-top gaming. I then took this work and have been applying it in the gaming groups that I have run throughout my last 5 years in disability support work. I have also taken applied the knowledge from my education within the self-development group, helping participants build strategies around and have conversations about various life/social hurdles.
In my spare time I love to play table-top and console games, and watch everything from obscure documentaries to anime. I am a drummer, I play volleyball, swim, skateboard, and if I could I would constantly be travelling. A few years back I finally got to see the Colosseum of Rome, but I got so excited and overwhelmed that I now barely remember it.
The Support Workers
Photo incoming…
Our fantastic team of support worker are world class and we would not be where we are today without them. They all come from various backgrounds, of all ages, and are assigned to teams that best fit particular clients and vice-versa. Each client’s team is made up of multiple regular staff that are able to rotate and fill in when necessary, ensuring staff have work consistency, and clients always know who is supporting them.