Who we Are
Welcome to Up & Over!
Our Mission
We’re here to champion inclusivity, and foster a community where all abilities thrive
We’re dedicated to exploring new opportunities, pushing the limits, igniting personal growth, and ensuring everyone feels a sense of belonging and the freedom to pursue their dreams, without limitations.
Our Vision
We want everyone to have the opportunity to live out their dreams.
Our vision is to see a world where barriers are dissolved, possibilities are limitless, and every individual can reach their fullest potential. We aim to set a high standard for this reality, where empowerment and inclusivity thrive, and where everyone has the opportunity to live out their dreams.
Our Values
We don’t believe in limits, but we do believe in...
- Fun First – We place fun at the heart of everything we do!
- Dreaming & Achieving Together – We support each other with our dreams and celebrate our victories together!
- We Take Positive Risks – We don’t believe in limits and will support anyone to achieve their dreams!
- Everyone CAN Participate – We create an inclusive environment and support a diverse group of people!
- Respect & Ambition – We respect each other’s freedom to make choices, and value everyone’s aspirations!
- Friendship Building – We nurture and encourage positive and meaningful relationships!
Feel Connected
We’re more than just an organisation, we’re a community. We support diversity, and we’re all about breaking down barriers, and encouraging shared experiences so friendships can flourish.
Feel Confident
We want you to feel confident in being yourself! We provide a positive and supportive platform where you'll be encouraged to challenge yourself, and build confidence through shared success.
Feel Inspired
We want to support you to think and dream bigger! We celebrate individuality and shared aspirations. We encourage ambition, and empower you to reach new heights, inspiring others along the way.
Our Services
Programs We Provide
Social Groups
Your Life! Your Friends! A place to meet new friends, and create core memories through shared experiences!
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UpSkill
Confidence. Connection. Collaboration. A place to engage with our community, and create your own network!
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Trips & Travel
Adventuring Together! A place where accessibility meets exploration, and no destination is too far!
Learn More
Testimonials
Hear What Everyone’s Saying
Up & Over is a wonderful organisation doing amazing things for kids with special needs.
Our son Luke is so excited to participate in all the activities offered. The activities are exciting, fun and always different according to Luke, and he loves socialising with all of the kids and carers. His confidence has blossomed as a result. As parents we feel relaxed and confident knowing our son is being looked after by such a great team of professional carers.
I love making new memories with everyone and doing new things. Everything is always so exciting!
I love everything about Up & Over. I love my social life and spending time with my friends doing awesome activities and going on amazing adventures. Thank you to everyone at Up and Over for giving me these opportunities.
I’ve been coming to Up & Over since it started in 2020. It’s been so much fun getting to know everybody, having a good time with friends, and going to fun places for activities. My favourite activity was meeting Tim Faulkner at the Australian Reptile Park last year. Also doing the Superman ride on the Schoolies 2022 Trip. And swimming with a turtle in Cairns.
The fabulous and enthusiastic team at Up & Over provide great experiences for my daughter to enjoy. With their support and encouragement, she has been able to "have a go', at new things and discover that they are something that she likes! She eagerly looks forward to the outings and hanging out with her friends and I love the fact that she has a social group where she can feel a sense of belonging.
They have great activities, and the staff are so helpful! Very active so you stay healthy, you have fun, and you meet new people. Confidence builder!
Up & Over is a wonderful organisation. I love participating in the variety of activities they offer, and the staff are amazing and caring!
Up & Over is great because I get to see my friends every week and do fun things with them! I love going on the trips away like Cairns, Singapore and Fiji. My favourite was trip was Fiji when we joined in the fire dancing!
We LOVE the younger generations! Up & Over are young adults hugely committed to justice and accessibility in disability provision. They are professional, passionate, and fearless in what they do. Would I think to take Zoe skateboarding? Ummm NO. But they do! And she loves it! We are endlessly grateful for the high bar set by this crew!
I love going out with Up & Over. I get to meet new people, go to new places and just get to have fun with everyone!
Wonderful staff and a variety of activities on offer to participate in. Our daughter looks forward to the activities and catching up with her friends. She has made a few new friends too. Very exciting to see a young enthusiastic bunch leading this.
It’s fantastic that our kids get to do things kids their age should be doing!! Makes me laugh, makes me cheer, and sometimes makes me cry happy tears!! Thanks U&O guys!
Team
Meet Our Team
A passionate blend of talent and enthusiasm! Committed to uplifting experiences, we’re here to turn challenges into triumphs with a dash of fun!
Christian Barwell
CEO
Enola Valencia
General Manager
James Spanos
General Manager
Erin Sherley
Community Network Coordinator
Gabi Spanos
Community Connect Coordinator
Kristen Proctor
Social Committee Coordinator
Ben Spoard
Waves Coordinator
Zoe Lumby
Crest Coordinator
All the help you need
Frequently Asked Questions
- Up & Over’s participants are predominantly from the Northern Beaches of Sydney, or Sydney’s North Shore, however anyone is welcome to join if they can make their way to the starting location for an activity.
- Up & Over is passionate about creating an inclusive environment and supporting a diverse group of people regardless of their support needs.
- We do support people with behavioural needs, however as we are not a NDIS registered provider, we are unable to implement restrictive practices. Please contact us and we can give you more information about your suitability for our services.
- Up & Over participants use predominantly funding by NDIS including line items such as Core Supports (Social and Community Participation and Daily Living), and Capacity Building.
- Our participants use Short Term Accommodation (STA) to fund Trips & Holidays.
Still have questions?
Visit the FAQs page
Follow Us on Instagram
@upandoverau
Unlocking Ability. Embracing Opportunity.
Our community-focused services are all about getting out there, making friends, and pushing limits. We believe in the power of joy, shared moments, and the thrill of overcoming challenges.
Contact Us