Meet The Team

Meet Ellis
Owner & Support Worker
Ellis Bear is a disability support worker, who for several years now has had an over-booked service supporting Autistic adults.
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As a qualified chef with a Bachelor of Music, as well as a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability), Ellis brings a wealth of life experience and education into his work.​
Social anxiety and neurodiversity often go hand-in-hand, but Ellis has discovered how gaming can be a powerful tool for helping people to feel safe in a public space.​
He is a board game and video gaming enthusiast, an experienced Dungeons & Dragons games master, and an avid reader with a keen interest in psychology, wellbeing, connection and community.

Meet Maddie
Owner, Admin & Finance
Ellis met his partner Maddie at university in 2016 where the two studied a Bachelor of Music together.​ After they graduated, Maddie ran her own music business until 2022 when the couple welcomed their first daughter.​
Seeing Ellis’ passion for working with neurodiverse individuals grow over the years, Maddie has learned a lot about neurodiversity and shares Ellis’ vision of improving outcomes for this group.​
Maddie’s key focus is on building the foundation and nurturing the back-end of Gamely Connect, including the financials, marketing, legal and administration of the business, allowing Ellis the space to focus on his participants, understanding their uniqueness and helping them to move towards their individual goals.

Meet Heidi
Administrator
Heidi is an experienced administrator, helping everything to run smoothly behind-the-scenes.
She has a background in linguistics (Bachelor of Linguistics) and is currently balancing work, parenthood and continuing her studies to become a Speech Pathologist.
She is an avid fan of gathering people together to play games, with some of her favourites being Railroads, Nmbr 9, Betrayal at House on the Hill and many more.

Meet Sam
Support Worker
Sam is a warm, energetic and enthusiastic member of our team with a wealth of life experience across different professions including as a maintenance fitter, wildlife officer, project supervisor and warehouse worker.
However it is in disability support work that he believes he has found the profession for him. He is particularly interested in how gaming can be used to improve quality of life for individuals facing the unique challenges of neurodiversity.
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Sam is a lover of all games with a particular enthusiasm for tabletop gaming. He has four years experience as a Dungeons and Dragons Dungeon Master and loves to focus his campaigns on collaboration, cooperation and problem solving - skills important for everyone regardless of ability and aptitude.

Meet Natalie
Support Worker
Meet Natalie, a devoted support worker driven by a desire to make a difference. Holding a Certificate III in Individual Support, Natalie draws upon her diverse experience in clinical settings as an Assistant in Nursing and dispensary technician.
Beyond her professional expertise, Natalie's passions shine through her love of PC gaming – particularly simulation, survival, and creative genres. Embracing geek and alternative cultures, Natalie's metalhead spirit fuels her enthusiasm for life.
This fusion of compassion, expertise, and individuality empowers Natalie to deliver outstanding support, infusing her work with creativity and dedication.

Meet Mark
Support Worker
Mark is a support worker with a wealth of life experience working with neurodiverse children and adults. He holds a Certificate III in Community Services and has a deep desire to help others enjoy their lives.
He is also a life-long gamer who enjoys video games and believes they are a great way to encourage creativity, hand-eye coordination and problem solving abilities. Some of his favourite games include Skyrim, Fortnite, Pokemon and he loves open world games.
Outside of work he is a father, uncle and caregiver for his own father. He is a proud nerd & giant kid who loves to chat about pop culture and feels you are never too old to enjoy the things that make you happy.

Meet Maisy
Support Worker
Maisy has been working as a support worker since 2022. She loves that the job gives her the opportunity to meet new people and find out what they’re passionate about.
Some of her favourite games include Five Crowns, Just One, Mario Party, World of Goo, Another Code and Two Memories.
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Outside of work she is studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts and enjoys board games, reading and spending time in nature.

Meet Tyson
Support Worker
Tyson is a kind, caring, friendly and passionate Disability Support Worker with 8 years experience. He has a Diploma of Community Services and a Cert III in Multi Media.
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His favourite game types are RPGs, co-op, shooters and anything that builds teamwork overall including The Witcher, Halo, Balder's Gate 3 and Skyrim.
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Outside of work his hobbies include karate, escape rooms, Dungeons and Dragons, reading, exercise, going on nature adventures and meditation.

Meet Sian
Support Worker
Sian is a support worker with a keen focus on helping teens live within their true authenticity.
She is currently completing her Diploma of Counselling and in her spare time she enjoys reading her favourite novels, playing boardgames or Dungeons and Dragons, and spending time with her family.

Meet Jess
Support Worker
Jess is a warm, friendly and compassionate Disability Support Worker with a great passion for supporting neurodiverse clients to achieve their individual goals. She has worked in the support industry for the past few years, and is currently studying a Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability).
As a lifelong game-lover, Jess has fond memories of sparking imagination and connecting with others through gameplay (like playing Playstation with her brother in their younger years, or engaging in Pokemon battles with their neighbourhood friends). She continues to appreciate the world-building, possibilities and magic inside of any game; and is always open and grateful for the chance to learn and participate in any new or favourite games of clients during sessions.
Outside of support work, Jess is a professional musician (holding a Bachelor of Music); regularly writing and releasing music, and performing across South East Queensland (and beyond). Jess is also a nature and book lover, and loves spending quality time with family and friends (usually playing board games).