Staff

A Supported Life’s co-worker group is a committed and loyal team of people who are dedicated to the support and development of those they have chosen to walk alongside. At any one time there are 30 + full and part time staff fulfilling a wide range of community support, administrative and managerial roles.

Community support work is the facilitation of aspirations and dreams along with development of new skills to enhance ability and inclusion. The Community Support Facilitators are a team of experienced and qualified people who meet these expectations in a skilled and empathetic manner.

Residents and facilitators alike are served and supported by the Management Team. The development of the organisation, has in the last six years, seen a movement from a centralised hierarchy to a more effective consensus driven, team approach to the management of the organisation.

This team not only includes a range of senior roles in the organisation but, not unlike the entire co-worker group, a broad sweep of experience, age, interests and qualifications.

The Management Team comprises:

Shayne Quigley - Support Services Manager - Way Out West

Shayne's role is the oversight and management of the organisation's vocational support and creative work space for adults with an intellectual disability - Way Out West.  Shayne previously worked as a manager in A Supported Life's residential service, subsequent to joining the organisation as the day service's Vocational Director in 2001.

Shayne has had a long career as a Special Education teacher and was the co-founder and developer of the pre-vocational programs for adults with an intellectual disability at Unitec in West Auckland.

Carissa Lee Lawry - General Manager - Operations

Carissa is responsible for the operation of A Supported Life's residential services, overseeing the work of the Residential Coordinators who nurture the support and life in our homes for adults with an intellectual disability.  Within the GMO position Carissa incorporates a human resource and counselling role for both staff and residents.

Carissa joined A Supported Life in 2000 as a Community Support Facilitator, thereafter stepping up to take on the role of Human Resources Manager. Her qualifications and experience are integral to her role as general Manager - Operations - a BA in Psychology and Behaviour Analysis and post graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of Auckland.

Marie Jenkins Accounts Administration Manager

Marie has a pivotal role in managing the accounts and administration for A Supported Life. She joined the organisation in 2004 after emigrating from the United Kingdom in 1998.

As well as maintaining strong links with the organisation’s Treasurer to ensure the smooth running of budgets and cost centres, Marie has the skill to turn her hand to many other non administrative tasks within the organisation.

Stuart Spackman - General Manager - A Supported Life

Stuart founded the organisation in 1995 and continues to carry the responsibility for the leadership, vision and development of A Supported Life.  Stuart, subsequent to work in journalism and as a ceramic artist, has worked in the disability sector for 35 years, predominantly in management and teaching roles in New Zealand, Australia and the United Kingdom.

Marie