Our HeartSpace Story
HeartSpace is a disability support service, but it’s very heart-led. We support kids, teens, and adults with disability to build confidence, independence, and connection but we do it in really creative, human ways. A lot of what we do is about helping people feel like they belong. We run social groups, creative and performing arts programs, and everyday life-skills stuff like cooking, self-care, and getting confident out in the community.
We also support young people who are leaving school to figure out what’s next, whether that’s work, volunteering, or just building routine and independence. We also do 1:1 and 2:1 supports, including for people with really complex or high support needs. We work closely with families and allied health, and we care a lot about consistency, safety, and trust - especially for families who’ve been through a lot. At the core of it all, it’s about joy, love, and connection. We’re not just ticking boxes - we’re creating safe spaces where people can be themselves, grow at their own pace, and feel supported.
HeartSpace began in 2019 when our Founder and Director, Hannah Edwards, launched Off-Broadway Theatre Group with a simple vision: to create a space where young people and adults with disability could build confidence, form genuine friendships and experience the joy of performing arts in an inclusive and supportive environment.
What started as a small theatre program quickly became something much bigger. As relationships with participants and families grew, so did the understanding that there was a need for more than just a weekly class. People were looking for connection, belonging, opportunities to learn new skills and supports that genuinely focused on the individual.
Over the years, the organisation expanded beyond theatre, introducing social programs, community participation opportunities, martial arts, day programs and skill-building supports. Every step of that growth was guided by the same values that existed from the very beginning: kindness, inclusion, creativity and a belief in every person's potential.
Along the way, Hannah met Harry, who shared the same passion for supporting and empowering people with disability to live meaningful and connected lives. What began as a shared commitment to supporting others evolved into a partnership, both personally and professionally. Together, they have continued to grow and shape the organisation into what it is today.
Today, HeartSpace Disability Services supports young people and adults across the Gold Coast through a range of innovative, heart-led programs designed to help people connect, thrive and grow. While the name has changed and the organisation has expanded, the heart behind it remains exactly the same.
Because at HeartSpace, we've always believed that when people feel genuinely seen, supported and valued, incredible things can happen.