Sian is working with NCQ to support the learning and development of people working within Neighbourhood and Community Centres. She’s only been in the role a couple of months, and has hit the ground running, working hard to identify peoples’ needs and provide opportunities for learning, information sharing and resource development.
Sian will also play a key role in connecting and facilitating peer ‘Learning Circles’ for Community Connect Workers and Service Navigator Workers across the state,
contribute to Disaster Resilience and Recovery Programs, and support Neighbourhood Centre Networks.
Sian has a passion for engaging with people and learning about their diverse lived experiences. She has a personal and professional interest in community development, mental health and early intervention approaches and how these improve outcomes for individuals, their carers, families and communities.
Sian has many years of experience working across the social services sector including roles in Community Engagement, Community Development, NDIS Stakeholder Engagement, Business Development, effective implementation of early intervention strategies, Support Coordination and Frontline Services. Each of these roles has helped work toward Sian’s goals of improving the outcomes, social connection, inclusion and overall wellbeing of people and their communities.
Sian’s most recent role was as Local Level Alliance Facilitator (within Family and Child Connect services) working with a range of key stakeholder across the Ipswich and West Moreton Region to identify key issues and service gaps, strengthen information and referral pathways and advocate for place-based funding in an early intervention child protection context.
Prior to this, she held roles at various Council’s, including: Community Development & Engagement Officer for Children, Young People and Families, (with a focus on Access and Inclusion for vulnerable populations: LGBTQIA+, People living with a disability, CALD and First Nations Peoples), Disaster Response and Recovery and community funding programs, strategic stakeholder engagement activities at Lockyer Valley Regional Council, Youth Community Development Officer at Townsville City Council and Youth Centre and Services Coordinator at Moora Shire Council (regional WA).
Sian has quickly added a lot of laughter and joy to the NCQ team and is already using her positive energy to connect with Centres across the state. Since she began her role, herself and Em James, NCQ’s CEO have connected with and visited 9 Neighbourhood and Community Centres in North Queensland.
When she isn’t at work, Sian is spending time with her family, enjoying the sunshine and tending to her many house plants.