Hive Family

12/04/2026

After a lot of thought, I’m sharing something very special 💛
Hive Family Support Services is moving into its next chapter, with Madi Bell stepping into ownership and continuing the journey as Hive+.
Hive has truly been my baby over the past few years, and I’m so proud of what it has grown into — a community built on care, connection, and incredible people.
Together, we’ve been able to give back in ways that really matter — supporting organisations like , taking part in events like the Mother’s Day Classic, and intentionally supporting local businesses wherever we can. That has always been at the heart of Hive.
With me now living interstate, it feels like the right time to hand over the reins to someone who already knows Hive inside and out. Madi has been leading the day-to-day for quite some time, and I couldn’t think of a better person to take things forward.
To our families, participants, and team — nothing is changing in the way we support you. The same values, the same heart, just an exciting new chapter ahead 💛
Thank you for being part of this journey 🤍

Please follow Madis new business page
Check out her new website (link in bio)
And help celebrate with her, a major milestone for both of us.

20/03/2026

The Hive team is expanding! 🎉

Hive provides support to children and young adults in Bendigo who have an NDIS plan. We are looking for eager, hard-working and passionate disability support workers to provide these much needed services to our families.

What we are looking for:
➡️ Someone with an excellent work ethic, who is passionate about providing support to families experiencing disability, behaviours of concern or hardship.
➡️ Someone who is qualified or working towards a qualification in disability, nursing, allied health, education, childcare, etc. This position is perfect for uni students, or people looking to take a break from their current career.
➡️ Someone who can commit to a minimum of 10 hours per week, and is available early mornings (before 9am), evenings (after 5pm) and weekends.

What we can provide:
➡️ A fun, flexible and supportive working environment
➡️ Professional development opportunities
➡️ The opportunity to build on your skills, grow your resume, and give back to our amazing community.

We provide an array of services to our families, which include
➡️ Assistance and transport to and from school, activities, appointments etc
➡️ Specific activities to assist individuals to work towards their NDIS goals
➡️ Personal care such as toileting, and creating positive hygiene habits.
➡️ Assisting families to manage and regulate behaviours of concern.
➡️ Life skills, such as using public transport, transitioning to high school, transitioning to the workforce, financial skills, etc.
➡️ Respite.

If this sounds like something you would be interested in pursuing, please email your resume and cover letter to [email protected] We can't wait to hear from you!

03/09/2025

✨ Big news from Hive! ✨
We’re growing, evolving, and ready to bring you even more structured support, skills, and opportunities.

Hive Family Support Services is now Hive+ | NDIS Skills & Support 💛🐝
Same heart, same commitment, but with a fresh new look and expanded services to better support families.

👉 Follow us at to keep up with updates, programs, and everything Hive+ has to offer.
This page won’t be updated anymore, so make sure you join us on our new journey!

31/08/2025

🐝 You’re Invited to Our Open House! 🐝

Join us at The Hive House on Thursday, 4th September from 12–2 pm for a warm welcome into our respite space.

☕ Enjoy coffee & biscuits
🎁 Take home a show bag full of information and surprises!
🏡 Tour the Hive House and see what we’re all about
📝 Ask questions & even complete an intake on the spot

You might also spot our flyers around Bendigo, and we’re sharing updates across all our platforms — but the best way to stay in the loop is by checking out our Facebook Event! There you’ll find extra information and can let us know if you’re interested or planning to come along.

✨ We can’t wait to meet you and show you what Hive is all about!

29/08/2025

Activities aren’t just “something to do” — they’re carefully chosen moments that help kids explore, express, and expand their world. 🐝💛

We support children with:

🧩 Sensory play – messy, textured, noisy, or calm — tailored to each child’s needs
🎵 Music + movement – dancing, clapping, rhythm games to build coordination and joy
🎲 Board games + puzzles – for focus, turn-taking, and gentle challenge
🎨 Arts + crafts – expressing big emotions through creativity
👩‍🍳 Cooking and baking – life skills, math, and sensory fun in one!
🚗 Outings to playgrounds or play centres – to build confidence in community
🧘‍♀️ Calm-down activities – yoga, breath work, story time, or quiet zones
🧍 Supported social play – helping kids navigate peer connection with guidance
🌱 Outdoor nature play – grounding and imaginative time in local parks

Everything we do is adapted to the child’s age, interests, and comfort levels. Whether it’s paint or playdough, card games or cloud watching — we’re there to support through connection.

27/08/2025

Big feelings don’t stop when we leave the house — and at Hive, we support emotional regulation wherever life takes us.

We help children develop tools to stay calm, feel safe, and recover confidently — whether it’s at the park, shops, or during an appointment.

💛 What we do:
🌿 Pre-plan outings to reduce overwhelm
🎧 Use sensory supports (noise-cancelling headphones, comfort toys, fidget tools)
🛒 Take calm breaks during shopping or public trips
🗣️ Use visuals or emotion cards to communicate feelings
🧸 Validate emotions without shame — meltdowns aren’t misbehaviour
🧠 Help kids understand what their body is telling them (hungry, tired, overstimulated)

We believe emotional safety comes before social expectations.
Regulation isn't about "staying calm" — it's about knowing it's okay to feel, and having the support to move through it.

25/08/2025

Going to the doctor, dentist, OT, or even the hairdresser can be a big deal for little ones with extra support needs.

At Hive, we walk alongside children through appointments — making them less scary and more successful.

Here’s how we help:

🧠 Prep ahead: Role play, social stories, and visuals to explain what’s coming
🧸 Comfort on-hand: Favourite toys, fidgets, weighted items, headphones
📝 Advocate gently: Help families explain needs, fears, or triggers to professionals
🧍‍♀️ Stay close: Sit nearby, hold hands, or simply be a steady calm presence
⏰ Take breaks: Support children to step out, breathe, or reset if needed
🎉 Celebrate wins: Whether it’s sitting in the chair or just walking in the door — it’s progress
🌈 Remind them: Their bravery doesn’t have to look like anyone else’s

Appointments don’t have to be battles. With the right tools and trusted support, they can become small victories.

24/08/2025

22/08/2025

Food can be full of stress — but it can also be full of learning.

At Hive, we support children to develop confidence and independence around food, with a focus on gentle routines, sensory preferences, and small wins.

Here’s how we help during mealtimes:
🧃 Practice packing their own lunchbox
🍓 Exploring new foods in fun, no-pressure ways
🧼 Learning table manners and basic food hygiene
🎨 Using visual guides to build mealtime routines
🧠 Supporting children with food aversions or sensory sensitivities
🤝 Encouraging shared meals or snack breaks to build social skills
🛒 Sometimes we even shop for the lunchbox ingredients together!

Mealtime is never rushed. It’s about letting kids feel in control, safe, and proud of what they can do — even if that means packing the same sandwich 10 days in a row. 🥪💛

20/08/2025

Events — birthdays, fairs, sports days, school concerts — can be exciting, but also overwhelming for kids with different support needs.

At Hive, we help children enjoy events while feeling safe, seen, and supported.

💛 What we do:
🎟️ Prep ahead with visuals, social stories & sensory-friendly tips
🧸 Bring comfort tools — noise-cancelling headphones, fidgets, calming items
🚪 Create a "plan B" — knowing where to take breaks or when to leave
🧠 Coach self-regulation strategies ahead of time (and during!)
🎈 Stay nearby, noticing signs of overwhelm early
🥳 Focus on connection over performance — it's okay to watch instead of join
📷 Celebrate participation in their own way (clapping, observing, waving, or stepping away)

Every child deserves to feel included, even if they show up differently.

We don’t expect perfection — just presence, comfort, and joy in their own unique way.

18/08/2025

At Hive, we see creative play as more than just fun — it’s how children learn, regulate, and connect with the world.

Whether it’s painting, roleplay, or messy sensory bins, we use creative play to support:

🖌️ Emotional expression (“I’m angry like this red paint!”)
🧠 Imagination and storytelling
👐 Fine motor skills like cutting, drawing, and pasting
💬 Communication skills — even for non-speaking kids
🤸‍♀️ Safe movement and sensory exploration
👯‍♀️ Taking turns, sharing space, and building confidence

We don’t just “watch them play” — we scaffold the activity, follow their lead, and create calm, connected moments.

Sometimes it’s a quiet drawing on the porch.
Sometimes it’s a full-blown pirate adventure in the backyard.
Every time — it’s meaningful.

Creative play is a form of therapy, learning, and bonding rolled into one.

18/08/2025

Hive is expanding, and we need a new admin superstar to join our team!

We need someone to come on board and manage our bookkeeping alongside our client, staff and community enquiries for our current and new Hive locations.

What we need from our new team member:
✔️ communicate well via email, phone call and sms
✔️ be willing to provide feedback and accept feedback (we want our newest team member to grow with us!)
✔️ complete new client intakes and ongoing client relations
✔️ assist with staffing and onboarding
✔️ light marketing duties
✔️ lighthouse keeping duties
✔️ invoicing daily
✔️ following up unpaid invoices
✔️ processing pays
✔️ Xero management

Not required, but we would love to hear from people with the following:
✔️ experience with NDIS
✔️ social media skills
✔️ knowledge or experience with allied health services
✔️ experience with Xero

What we can provide:
✔️ a safe, inclusive work environment
✔️ the opportunity to progress in your career
✔️ flexible working environment

The important bits:
✔️ this position will start as casual for an 8 week probation period. We want to make sure it's a right fit for everyone. After the 8 weeks, the employment type, hours per week and pay rate will be negotiated depending on availability, experience, etc.
✔️ we want to be flexible with our new team member. We are happy to negotiate hours etc for the right person however we can offer between 5- 25 hours per week. We are looking for enthusiasm and the right attitude, we can teach the rest!

Please note, this is only advertised on social media, it is not on our website.
To apply, email your resume and cover letter to Katie [email protected].
Applications close Wednesday 27th August.