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Who We Are
Our services include short-term respite and supported accommodation options, from one- or two-night stays through to week-long respite supports. Participants receive assistance with meal planning, food preparation, and daily living routines in a safe and supportive environment.
We also provide structured life skills development programs covering cooking, shopping, budgeting, and everyday living skills to promote greater independence. For school-aged participants, My Mates Place offers tutoring and homework support to strengthen learning outcomes and build academic confidence.
Wherever suitable and aligned with participant goals, supports are delivered in small group settings to encourage social connection, peer engagement, and community participation, while always maintaining an individualised, person-centred approach.
How it all began
In 2020, I made a complete career change. That change sparked a dream that became My Mates Place.
I still remember the night the idea came to me. I wanted people living with disability to have somewhere they felt welcome, valued and part of a community. Somewhere that felt like spending time with friends.
When someone asked, “Where are you going tonight?” they could simply say, “My Mates Place.”
At the heart of that name was a simple hope: belonging without labels. A place where people could be themselves, share a laugh and build friendships they were proud of.
I imagined people sharing support, heading out into the community together and making memories with their mates. My hope was that those friendships would also grow beyond our organised sessions – that people would choose to catch up, check in on one another and become part of each other’s lives.
Along the way, we could learn together what it means to be a good friend: listening, caring, respecting differences and being there when someone needs us.
That dream has grown naturally into the community we have today. Through regular social groups and smaller mentoring outings, I’ve watched people grow in confidence, strengthen friendships and find their place. They have friends to share experiences with, but also life’s challenges, thoughts and ideas.
I’m proud of what we’ve created together. But more than anything, I’m proud of the people who make My Mates Place what it is. They’ve embraced that dream and made it their own, through the friendships they nurture and the care they show one another.
Luke Giumelli, Founder
Our Mission Statement
My Mates Place is dedicated to creating an inclusive and supportive community for people living with disability. Through person-centred NDIS support, social connection programs, and confidence-building experiences, we help participants feel safe, valued, and empowered to be their best selves. Our focus is on building independence, meaningful friendships, and strong community participation in a welcoming and respectful environment.
Our Team
Luke Giumelli
Founder | Support Coordinator
Luke’s dream for My Mates Place is to build friendship-focused disability support partnerships far and wide that bring people together in a truly inclusive community. Through high-quality, person-centred NDIS support, we aim to connect participants, support workers, families, and local communities through meaningful shared experiences that create genuine belonging.
At the heart of this dream are engaging social and community participation opportunities – from parties in the park and inclusive group programs to local festivals and community events. These experiences are designed to help people living with disability build confidence, develop independence, and form lifelong friendships.
My Mates Place is committed to reducing social isolation and improving quality of life by delivering trusted disability support services that empower every participant to feel proud, safe, confident, and supported to be their best self.
Mia Giumelli
Support Worker
Joel Signorelli
Support Worker
My dream as a support worker is to help create the kind of environment I wish had existed when I was growing up – a place where people feel genuinely welcome, included, and supported to be themselves.
As an adult with lived experience of neurodivergence, I understand how difficult it can be for young people to navigate social barriers and find their place within a community. Many people want to participate, connect, and belong, but sometimes the doorway into those spaces can feel closed or difficult to reach. My goal is to help open those doors.
I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to build confidence, develop meaningful connections, and take part in communities that make them feel valued. Whether that’s through shared activities, learning new skills, or simply having someone alongside them who understands and supports their journey, I’m passionate about helping people find their place.
At the heart of my work is the belief that communities should be accessible, welcoming, and built on genuine friendship. I want the people I support to feel empowered to explore new opportunities, build confidence in themselves, and discover environments where they feel comfortable and accepted.
Ultimately, my dream is simple: a world where barriers to entry disappear, where everyone has the chance to participate, and where communities are built on kindness, inclusion, and a shared sense of belonging.