Meet Alannah Leheny - Our Residential Services Team Leader

At T & K Support Services, some team members have been part of the journey since day one - and Alannah Leheny is one of them.

Over the past 4.5 years, she has grown alongside the organisation, building skills, confidence, and meaningful connections with the people she supports.

Stepping Outside Her Comfort Zone

Alannah didn’t enter the disability sector with years of experience - she entered it with courage.

“I wanted to step outside my comfort zone, try something completely new, and learn new skills,” she shares. “Now, 4.5 years later, I can honestly say I love what I do and couldn’t imagine being in a different field.”

What started as something new and unfamiliar quickly became a genuine passion.

Why T & K?

Alannah has been with T & K since the very beginning. She credits the positive workplace culture and supportive leadership as key reasons she’s stayed and grown within the organisation.

“The CEO has always been respectful, supportive, and incredibly motivational, which creates such a positive and encouraging work environment. It really makes working here enjoyable.”

Being part of a team that values encouragement and growth has allowed Alannah to develop both professionally and personally.

What She Loves Most About the Sector

For Alannah, it’s all about connection.

“I love being able to help people who need support, but more importantly, being someone, they can rely on and feel comfortable with.”

Building trust with participants and knowing they feel safe and supported is what makes her role so rewarding.

Experience and Strengths

Before entering disability support, Alannah worked in fast food and retail during high school. While those roles helped her gain work experience, she quickly realised she wanted something more meaningful.

Since joining T & K, she has primarily worked in residential settings, supporting people with mental health needs.

Her greatest strengths?

• Empathy

• Patience

• A calm and supportive approach

  
  

She focuses on creating a positive environment where participants feel happy, respected, and understood.

One lesson she’s learned along the way is simple but powerful:

“Never judge. Everyone has their own challenges, and some people just need more time.”

Life Outside of Work

Outside of work, Alannah enjoys keeping things simple. She spends time at the gym, tries new restaurants, catches up on her favourite shows, and enjoys nights out with family and friends.

Her favourites include:

• Italian food

• The movie Love Actually

• Any music that gets her dancing

  
  

She doesn’t drink coffee or tea, her dream destination is Europe, and if she had to choose a spirit animal? A sloth.

A small thing that makes her day better? Finding money she forgot she had.

Looking Ahead

Alannah’s goals at T & K are clear: keep growing.

“I’ve already achieved so much in my time here. My main goal is to keep learning, developing, and providing the best support possible.”

With her steady patience, warm nature, and commitment to growth, Alannah continues to be a valued part of the T & K team - proving that sometimes stepping outside your comfort zone leads you exactly where you’re meant to be.