By Afraa Kori
My Puzzle House, a specialized play centre for children with disabilities, closed its doors on 5 January 2025, after a five-year run.
The sudden closure has left a community in shock, mourning the loss of a vital safe space that brought joy and inclusion to countless families.
Since the recent changes to the NDIS, several clients have stopped using the services or significantly reduced their hours of service. The specialised school holiday program, which was typically very popular and hosted between 15 and 20 children each day, saw a significant decline in attendance during the current school holidays, with only 5 to 10 children booked in each day.
Founder of My Puzzle House, Mandi Marchant said parents were deeply saddened that their children could no longer attend the program, as significant cuts to their NDIS funding had made it impossible to fit the program into their revised budgets.
“We have had an abundance of messages on our social media letting us know that they are very sad about the closure. We have had children crying because it’s the only place they feel safe and free to be themselves. It’s absolutely heartbreaking,” she said.
“We have many support workers who rely on My Puzzle House as the indoor space to take their clients. The Adult group that comes in every Thursday are devastated.”
My Puzzle House was also attempting to set up an Adult Daily Program and Before and After School Programs but unfortunately the NDIS changes affected them too quickly and they were not able to establish these programs quick enough.
Running a business always comes with challenges and they always manage to overcome the obstacles along the way.
Particularly when they opened the doors in October of 2019, they were hit with covid early 2020 which put a lot of strain on their newly opened business.
However the significant reduction in NDIS funding for their clients proved to be the breaking point, making it impossible to continue.
“I am proud that we gave it our best shot to help our community. I hope that people remember the love, care, and happy tears that we invested into My Puzzle House,” Mandi said.
“I am just really sad, not so much for myself but for all of our beautiful clients that relied on us. We tried to make a big difference by creating My Puzzle House and now I will have to go back to trying to make a small difference. But I will not stop trying.”
My Puzzle House was founded by Mandi, a single parent whose two children were diagnosed with autism.
Mandi found it challenging to take her children to regular play spaces where they could feel safe and accepted without being judged.
With her father, a carpenter, building everything, and her family’s active involvement in the build, Mandi brought My Puzzle House to life.
“I relied on my mum Robyn and dad James for a lot of support which is why they were also extremely motivated to join this journey with me on creating a safe space for people with Autism and other disabilities,” she said.
“Rayne (her son) was the initial inspiration, but then a few years later my other child was also diagnosed with Autism.”
Mandi’s connection to disability stems from her children, as well as several extended family members with Autism and ADHD.
Her biggest achievement was bringing like minded people to a safe place where they could feel free to be themselves and make meaningful friendships.
“Mum and I were often in happy tears watching our customers play at My Puzzle House and hearing their stories,” Mandi said.
“Some of the children that were attending My Puzzle House had never had a friendship before, and to see them thrive and make those friendships is something that touches your heart in the most beautiful way.”
While the five year chapter of My Puzzle House is finished for good, Mandi quickly set up her own small business, NextGen Inclusion, dedicated to offering personalized in-home and community support.
The long-term goal includes creating a welcoming space in a community center where clients can come together for enjoyable and inclusive activities, fostering connection and empowerment.
Locals, friends and families can get in touch with Mandi through NextGen Inclusion if they would like additional support at home or in the community.
