Our Story: How Daffodil Grew, and What Drives Us

Every organisation has a beginning. Ours started with one nurse, a family move across the world, and a belief that care could be done better. Today, Daffodil Therapy and Care is an award-winning, NDIS-registered provider on the Gold Coast — but the heart of what we do hasn't changed since day one.

From South Wales to the Gold Coast

Our founder, Kelly Carpenter, qualified as a mental health nurse in South Wales in 2012. Over the years she worked across crisis services, a psychiatric intensive care unit, and recovery services, as well as aged care, drug and alcohol, and chronic illness. In 2019 she moved with her family to Australia, and in 2022 she founded Daffodil — with a simple aim: to bring years of clinical knowledge and genuine compassion into the NDIS space. That clinical grounding still shapes everything. It's why our team blends real healthcare expertise with the warmth that makes people feel safe and understood.

Recognised for the work we doWe're proud to have been recognised as Disability Support Provider of the Year 2026 – Gold Coast. Awards are never the point of what we do, but recognition like this is a lovely affirmation that our approach — personalised, holistic, honest care — makes a real difference in people's lives.

What drives us

Our work is guided by four values that aren't just words on our website:

Empowerment — your goals, your choices, your voice matter most.

Personalised, high-quality care — no one-size-fits-all; support tailored to each person.

Holistic support — a multidisciplinary team treating the whole person, not a diagnosis.

Integrity — doing what's right, with transparency and honesty, even when no one's watching.Underneath it all is a vision of a kinder, more inclusive community where no one is left waiting or lost between services.

Growing thoughtfully

From our very first employee to the team we have today — spanning support coordination, occupational therapy, nursing, psychosocial recovery coaching, and support work — we've grown carefully. We'd rather add the right people than simply add people. That approach keeps our culture strong and our care consistent, even as we support more of the community.

The honest picture

Growth brings challenges. Staying personal as you get bigger takes real effort, and the temptation to expand quickly is always there. We've chosen a steadier path — protecting the quality and warmth that make Daffodil what it is, even when that means growing more slowly than we could. It's a trade-off we make happily, because our clients feel the difference.

Looking ahead

We're excited about the future — new groups, new partnerships, and new ways to make support seamless for the people who rely on us. But no matter how much we grow, the mission that started it all stays the same: high-quality, personalised care that walks alongside each person on their own journey.

That's our story so far. We'd love for you to be part of the next chapter.

Want to know more about Daffodil Therapy and Care, or work with our team? Get in touch — we'd love to hear from you.