The Sacred Nest was created by owner Cynthia Bartolo in 2016 as both a sensory ‘play’ room for her children and a unique business idea. Her vision was to create a calming space that she could share with other families in the community who were also managing the sensory needs of neurodivergent children. Cynthia integrates lived-experience as a carer with her professional experience as a food scientist, nutritionist and polyvagal therapy practitioner to create programs that inform and inspire clients to nourish their mind and body.
After a career in the food industry, having a family brought new challenges that created a passion for learning how lifestyle and environmental factors effect health and development. With further studies in gut health, neuroplasticity, Polyvagal Theory and meditation, Cynthia brings a holistic, compassionate approach to her work. In 2024 she completed her Postgraduate Diploma in Human Nutrition at Deakin University, which included a 4-month placement at the Food and Mood Centre in Geelong. A link to the flyer she created as part of this placement (‘Food to Fuel Neurodivergent Minds’) can be found here.
NDIS Experience
Cynthia has valuable experience navigating the National Disability Insurance Scheme(NDIS), as both a carer and also as an NDIS provider. Cynthia meets the requirements set by the NDIS Quality & Safeguards Commission for and is listed on the NDIS Worker Screening Database. Our workshops may be able to be claimed by self-managed and plan-managed participants with funding under ‘Parent/Carer Education and Training’.
Carer Gateway
In late 2025, The Sacred Nest became a registered provider of Carer Gateway; a nation-wide service that provides free support to carers. Support is tailored to your caring needs, with a wide range of services that may include tailored support packages, peer support, counselling, coaching, emergency respite and more. Ask us about gaining access to our programs through funding via Carer Gateway in your local governmnet area.
You can visit www.carergateway.gov.au or call Carer Gateway on 1800 422 737, Monday to Friday from 8am to 5pm, to find out how they can support you in your caring role.
