Founder - Snr Social Worker
Pronouns: She/Her
Autistic & ADHD

Gwen, the founder of Hamers Edge, brings over 12 years of experience working with individuals with disabilities and neurodivergence, including ASD, ADHD, and FASD, in both the Dutch and Australian disability sectors. With a Bachelor of Social Work earned in 2011 in The Netherlands, Gwen combines her deep understanding of social work principles with a heartfelt commitment to empowering others.

At the core of her approach is the belief that disability arises not from impairments themselves but from the barriers society creates.

Gwen excels in helping individuals navigate these barriers, using creative and innovative methods to support them in achieving their goals and embracing their unique paths in life.

Passionate and personable, Gwen is dedicated to making a meaningful difference for every participant she supports.

GWEN PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICE:
* Social Work Therapeutic Support

Director
Pronouns: He/Him
Autistic & ADHD

Peter, originally from The Netherlands, brings a wealth of experience in business management and financial strategy to Hamers Edge. With a Bachelor of Business Administration earned in 2016, he has developed expertise in finance, business analysis, and stakeholder engagement through roles in large corporations in the Netherlands and Australia.

At Hamers Edge, Peter’s strong organisational expertise ensures the development of effective business strategies and cost-efficient operations. He excels in financial analysis, driving informed decision-making to support sustainable growth while ensuring compliance with evolving regulations.

Passionate about building lasting relationships, Peter works closely with stakeholders, business partners, and authorities to foster trust and collaboration. His leadership ensures Hamers Edge delivers high-quality and impactful services to NDIS participants underpinned by sound governance and forward-thinking planning.

The Inspiration
Pronouns: She/Her
Autistic

Norah, Gwen and Peter’s daughter was diagnosed as Autistic at 23 months of age.

Learning about Autism in females and going through the NDIS process themselves made them even more passionate about creating a business where they could genuinely meet the needs of the neurodivergent people in Perth.

Building a positive future for their daughter starts with us making positive changes to the sector now!

Snr Social Worker | Independent Contractor
Pronouns: She/Her

Yvette, originally from New Zealand, obtained her Bachelor of Social Work in 2013. Before studying Social Work, she worked in Medical Research, studying infant brain damage. Before joining Hamers Edge, Yvette worked in Mental Health. She further undertook care-needs assessments for the elderly and ran a successful rehabilitation program for offenders in New Zealand.

Since joining Hamers Edge, Yvette has greatly expanded her neurodivergence knowledge and now predominantly works with autistic participants.

Yvette is highly skilled in undertaking functional capacity assessments and loves to empower participants to reach their full potential and achieve the goals that they have for themselves.

Yvette is a qualified I-CAN Assessor.

YVETTE PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICE:
* Functional Capacity Assessments

Snr Social Worker | Independent Contractor
Pronouns: She/Her

Jess is a Snr Social Worker with a wealth of experience. Jessica worked in Child Protection for a short while and then spent seven years working in an acute inpatient Mental Health setting. Jessica worked as a Snr Social Worker in a role that included regular psycho-social assessments, case coordination, direct clinical interventions, liaison with other government systems, and supervising junior social workers.

In 2021, Jess joined the NDIS space and is passionate about working alongside participants and their families to help them feel heard, supported and connected.

JESSICA PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
* Functional Capacity Assessments
* Social Work Therapeutic Support

Snr Social Worker | Independent Contractor
Pronouns: She/Her

Trudy completed her Bachelor of Social Work in 2001 and further postgraduate studies in Grief and Loss in 2005. Over her 20-year career, she has developed a wealth of experience in a wide range of health settings and completed assessments in child protection, custody, fostering, and adoption. More recently, Trudy has broadened her practice into the NDIS space.

Trudy aims to empower, validate, and support individuals and their wider families in navigating systems equitably and independently, aiming to improve their quality of life and well-being.

TRUDY PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICE:
* Functional Capacity Assessments

Snr Social Worker | Independent Contractor
Pronouns: She/Her
Autistic & ADHD

Following the completion of her double degree in Social Science and Social work in 2018, Celeste entered the field, working with individuals aged 18+ with psychosocial disabilities, chronic mental health and a variety of complex co-occuring presentations. She works in a recovery-focussed and neuroaffirming therapeutic way, ensuring she assesses and supports people in a holistic manner. This involves working with participants directly, yet with a broader integration of the person’s environment and systems.

Celeste’s areas of professional focus include Autism Spectrum Disorder and other Neurodevelopmental diagnoses, Neuroaffirming practice, Psychosocial Disability including but not limited to Mood Disorders, Psychotic Disorders, and Complex Trauma including Dissociative Identity Disorder.

CELESTE PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
* Level 3 Support Coordination
* Social Work Therapeutic Supports
* Functional Capacity Assessments

Support Coordinator | Independent Contractor
Pronouns: She/Her

Sally grew up here in Perth, is a mother to one, and loves music, travel, cultural diversity, and nature.

Sally has a long history in the Disability sector. Over the past 13 years, she has worked as a Support Worker in community and supported independent living settings, followed by a Team Leader position. In 2020, Sally started her Support Coordination career and is still thoroughly enjoying the role.

Sally values communication, connection and inclusion for all people. She is passionate about supporting participants in living their best lives by building a supportive network around them so they can work towards achieving their individual goals and following their passions ("move to the beat of their drum").

Sally uses a person-centred and holistic approach for her participants to achieve the best outcome from their NDIS Plans. She strives to build professional and supportive relationships with her participants and their families.

SALLY PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICE:
* Level 2 Support Coordination

Social Worker | Independent Contractor
Pronouns: She/Her
ADHD

Rebecca completed her Bachelor of Social Science - Criminal Justice in 2014, and her Masters of Social Work in 2024.

Rebecca is passionate about autonomy, human rights, and social justice has worked in various roles across the government and private sector. She has spent most of her post-graduate (2014) experience working with adult offenders in the custodial environment. Providing both individualised and group-based case management, risk assessment, and behavioural change programs.

Rebecca’s passion for the disability field of practice began when she commenced studying her Social Work degree, completing 1000 hours of placement in the disability sector, out of which 600 were completed at Hamers Edge.

Rebecca values independence, integrity, and social connection, and hopes to work alongside children and adults to support them in achieving their goals and reach their full potential.

Originally from the East Coast, Rebecca loves anything outdoors or active and enjoys strength training and going to the beach with her son.

REBECCA PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICE:
* Social Work Therapeutic Support

Snr Social Worker | Independent Contractor
Pronouns: She/Her

Over the past 15 years, Liz gained considerable experience, skills and knowledge by working in counselling, community mental health (adults), youth mental health, acute mental health (Graylands) and the hospital-in-the-home program at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. In recent years, she was able to increase her experience and knowledge of the disability sector/NDIS by working as a recovery coach, support coordinator and therapist.

Liz chose to become a social worker because of her passionate for social justice and human rights, and in particular, people’s social and emotional well-being. Liz sees every person as unique and different in a good way. She believes that everyone inherently has their own answers; we all just need help to find them sometimes.

LIZ PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICE:
* Social Work Therapeutic Support

Snr Social Worker | Independent Contractor
Pronouns: She/Her
ADHD

Originally a registered nurse from Sydney, Sally graduated with a Bachelor of Social Work in 2000 at Curtin University.

Sally has over 25 years of Social Work practice experience, working across the Disability sector and the Department of Communities as a child protection worker and an adoption assessor.

Sally started out in the Disability sector, working with children, teens and adults with Sensory Impairments. After 10+ years, she moved into an Early Childhood Development Team, working with families of children with GDD, ASD, ID, FASD, PTSD and/or Psychosocial Disability.
Following some years as a child protection worker, Sally trained as a kids’ and adult Yoga teacher, enriching her practice with a ‘bottom-up’ approach (body to brain, vs brain to body).

Sally values a holistic person-centred approach and appreciates the importance of calming the nervous system in achieving positive and lasting outcomes.

SALLY PROVIDES THE FOLLOWING SERVICES:
* Functional Capacity Assessments
* Social Work Therapeutic Support

Social Worker | Independent Contractor
Pronouns: He/Him