Our Story
At UFS – Mental Health & Disability Support, we’re more than just a service provider — we’re a small, independently owned team driven by heart, purpose, and a deep commitment to making a real difference in people’s lives.
UFS - Mental Health & Disability Support was founded from a deep awareness of the gaps in our support systems and a strong desire to be the compassionate, meaningful change this industry so urgently needs — to offer support that genuinely values the person, not just the plan. We provide high-quality, personalised support to NDIS participants across Brisbane, the Sunshine Coast, Gold Coast, Ipswich, Logan, Redlands, the Western Suburbs, Moreton Bay, Gympie — and all the communities in between.
What makes us different is that for us, this is personal. I bring over 13 years of hands-on industry experience, backed by professional training and qualifications — but more importantly, I bring lived experience. I’ve navigated the challenges of mental health and disability in my own life, and I’m also a mum to children who are NDIS participants.
I live and breathe this, every single day — not just as a professional, but as a parent and advocate. I know what it’s like to walk this path, to navigate the NDIS from both sides, and to want more than just "support" — you want to feel seen, heard, and genuinely cared for. That kind of understanding can’t be taught — it’s lived.
After working in many roles across different organisations, I’ve seen what works — and what needs to be done better. UFS - Mental Health & Disability Support was born from a vision to raise the standard in this space, to provide a service where people feel genuinely empowered, respected, and in control of their own lives.
Our mission is simple: to be the kind of support that truly makes a difference. To walk alongside every person with compassion, honesty and encouragement — helping them feel confident, capable, and supported to live their best life and reach the goals that matter most to them.
Our team
Karley Saidy-Hennessey
Founder & Director
Melanie Koch
Admin Co-ordinator
Hazel
Therapy Dog
Krystal Szydlowski
Team Member
Craig Millbourn
Team Member
Debbie Acworth
Team Member
Name
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Name
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Meet the founder
Hi, I’m Karley — the founder of UFS – Mental Health & Disability Support, as well as
UFS – Support For Support and someone who lives and breathes mental health and disability
support every single day.
With over 13 years of experience working across the sector in a variety of roles, I bring not just
professional skills and qualifications, but also deeply personal lived experience. Over the
years, I’ve navigated my own journey with Trauma, Depression, Complex PTSD, Anxiety, OCD,
Asperger’s (now referred to as Autism Spectrum Disorder), Dissociative Amnesia, and various
physical health conditions. These experiences have shaped who I am — and today, they fuel
my purpose and passion. I use everything I’ve been through to advocate for and empower
others, turning struggle into strength and adversity into action.
I’m also a proud mum of 3 incredible children who each experience their own disability and
mental health struggles and are also NDIS participants, so I understand the system not just
from a professional level but as a parent navigating the NDIS journey too. That personal
insight is at the heart of everything we do at UFS — and it’s what drives my passion for
delivering genuinely compassionate, person-centred support.
I started UFS – Mental Health & Disability Support because I believe our sector needs to do better — and I’m committed to being part of that change. My mission is to raise the standard of care and empower people to feel truly seen, heard, and supported in living their best life.
As the need for trusted, informed support continued to grow, I launched UFS – Support For Support as an extension of that vision — a multi-layered service designed for both participants and service providers. For participants and their families, we are dedicated to supporting them to be more informed, empowered and confident to navigate their NDIS plans and connect and engage with services they need. For service providers (including independent support workers) whether you're just starting out or well-established, we provide training, tools, education, networking opportunities and ongoing support so providers at various levels are equipped to provide the highest quality service and ensure they are informed and compliant to thrive within their roles.
Both branches of UFS were built from the same vision: to raise the standard across the board — for participants, for families, and for the people doing the work on the ground. I’m here to create lasting, meaningful change — and to make sure no one feels alone on their journey.
Our Achievements
Annual Kalbar Sunflower Festival 2024 - Sponsor and host of the very first Sensory Garden & Quiet Space.
Local Business Awards 2024 - Winner for Best Health Improvement Services.
Small Business Champion Awards 2023 - Finalist in Disability Support Services category.
Annual Kalbar Sunflower Festival 2025 - Sponsor and host of the Sensory Garden & Quiet Space.
Heart Of Health & Disability Awards 2024 - Silver award in the Rising Star category.
