About Common Ground Creative
Mission
At Common Ground Creative, our mission is to empower people with disabilities and psychosocial challenges to explore their creativity, connect with their community, and enhance their wellbeing through holistic, person-centred support.
Vision
Our vision is a world where every person regardless of ability or mental health, has access to meaningful, creative support that fosters growth, connection and a sense of belonging.
Our Values
Person-Centred
We centre each participant's unique goals, preferences, and lived experience, respecting choice and self-determination at every stage.
Creativity & Expression
We believe creativity is a powerful pathway to healing, self-expression, and connection, accessible to everyone in their own way.
Inclusivity & Accessibility
Our services are designed to be flexible, welcoming, and accessible, honouring diverse needs and backgrounds.
Empowerment & Strengths-Based
We focus on what participants can do, building on existing skills and fostering confidence, independence, and self-belief.
Trauma-Informed Care
We provide gentle, respectful support that acknowledges past experiences and prioritises safety, trust, and dignity.
Community & Connection
We believe in the power of social connection and help participants engage with their communities in ways that feel meaningful and supported.
Professionalism & Integrity
We are committed to ethical practice, ongoing learning, and upholding the trust placed in us by participants and families.
Meet Our Team
At Common Ground Creative, our people are at the heart of everything we do. Each team member is committed to supporting participants to explore creativity, connect with their community, and achieve their goals in a safe, inclusive, and person-centred way.
We bring together diverse skills, lived experience, and professional knowledge to provide holistic, compassionate, and empowering supports.
Melissa
Founder & Lead Creative Facilitator
About Me
I am the founder of Common Ground Creative, a support service grounded in creativity, connection, and genuine understanding.
Experience
I bring over 10 years of experience across disability support, aged care, early childhood, and peer support roles, supporting people across the lifespan. My background includes working in the aged care sector, supporting older adults to maintain dignity, independence, and meaningful engagement, as well as working in early childhood as an education assistant, where I supported children's emotional, social, and developmental needs. I have also worked in peer support roles, walking alongside individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges.
Qualifications
I hold a Diploma of Community Services, along with a Certificate IV in Mental Health and a Certificate IV in Mental Health Peer Work. Alongside these qualifications, I have completed extensive learning in art therapy–informed practices, exploring a range of creative modalities to engage participants in ways that feel accessible, empowering, and safe.
Creative Approach
My learning has included the use of drawing, painting, mixed media, sensory-based art, and other creative processes to support emotional expression, self-regulation, confidence-building, and connection. I am passionate about adapting creative approaches to suit each individual, recognising that there is no one-size-fits-all way to engage in creativity or wellbeing.
Lived Experience
In addition to my professional experience, I also bring lived experience of mental health. This has deeply shaped my understanding that not everyone is able to express thoughts and emotions through words alone. Creative expression can offer a gentle, non-clinical pathway for participants to explore their inner experiences, build insight, and develop a stronger sense of identity and self-worth.
Philosophy
At Common Ground Creative, my approach is person-centred, trauma-informed, and strengths-based. I meet participants where they are, using creativity as an invitation rather than an expectation. Support is flexible, respectful, and guided by each participant's goals, preferences, and pace, with a strong focus on wellbeing, empowerment, and community connection.
Location & Service Area
Based in Casuarina
We offer community-based and outreach supports throughout the Perth Metro area, providing flexible services to meet participants where they are.
Want to learn more about how we can support you?
Get in touch to discuss your needs, goals, and how Common Ground Creative can help.
Contact Us