life upcycled
Life Upcycled is a family business offering individually focussed disability planning, support & coordination services.
About OUR TEAM
Dr Jennifer Hoysted's Experience
After working as a researcher, academic and entreprenuer life changed dramatically in 2008 when I became a full time Carer (for 10 years). I founded a charity delivering innovative peer supports to people impacted by brain injury and successfully developed this across South Australia from its initial grant submissions in 2010, departing as Chairperson and CEO in 2017. As a Developmental Educator I use my business, disability, accounting, performance evaluation, research and lived experience to offer innovative solutions to both organisations and individuals within the disability sector via my range of consulting services. I am passionate about projects that bring about greater community inclusion and awareness for people impacted by disability.
My focus on lived experience, which I continue to build via the support I provide to my (Step) brother and sister who live with disability, brings an authentic approach to my work and I love coming up with creative solutions bringing more 'float your boat' opportunities to my clients' lives.
Jennifer's Approach
Dr Hoysted adds value by offering organisations and individuals within the disability sector innovative solutions to their needs. Working with individuals she focuses on person-centric, creative solutions utilising her expert knowledge, vast network and authentic, friendly nature. Working with organisations she brings new ideas and approaches based on sound business practices, client focussed outcomes, evaluation and research expertise as well as her unique strategic performance management way of thinking.
Sometimes it is as much about the 'get it' factor than all the qualifications and Awards she has received for her work. Jennifer gets 'living in disability world' (as she continues to do via her sibling support) and what is needed at the coalface to bring about real change in the lives of people with differing abilities. As an expert presenter, Jen is known for her fun, accessible, insightful training and information sessions on a range of topics (from Peer Support to the NDIS) and tailors all her services to each unique client and their specific needs.
Russell and Sydni - Support Expertise
Russell and Sydni are both highly experienced Support Workers offering specialised services to our Life Upcycled clients. Russell has many years of experience in the Aged Care sector and in many other fields, and provides a range of gardening, handyman, peer mentoring and related roles. Sydni offers various Support services including personal care, inclusive opportunities and has a Cert III qualification and other training. Our team members are awesome - but also, therefore, usually fully booked.
OTHER DETAILS
Business Expertise
Dr Jennifer Hoysted is a qualified Accountant completing her Honours (first class) Bachelor of Commerce degree at Flinders University. After completing her Doctor of Philosopy (Business) at Bond University she then spent several years as an Accounting academic in both Hong Kong and Australia. Jennifer particularly loved her time as Associate Director of the Science and Technology Commercialisation Programs at Adelaide University, where she worked to bring this leading edge program to Australia via innovative delivery in collaboration with the University of Texas (Austin). She then followed her creative passion and dreams, establishing Casni, a successful handmade bridal jewellery business, for which she won two Australian Bridal Industry Awards (2006, 2007) whilst continuing to teach Strategic Management Accounting and other MBA programs across the Asia Pacific region for several Universities.
Awards
Jennifer was thrilled to receive an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Australia Day honours January 2016 for 'services to people with acquired brain injury and their families'. In 2014 Jennifer won the Rural Doctors Workforce Agency Rural Community Health and Wellbeing Community Acheivement Award. In addition in 2015 Dr Hoysted was a Finalist in the Carers SA Carer Community Acheivement Award and the Pride of Australia Medal (for Care and Compassion).