About Tea-cup Cottage
Tea-cup Cottage began with one family’s determination to create truly person-centred care. When founder Alex Shaw’s husband, David, was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND), their world changed overnight. Wanting the very best for him, Alex stepped into the role of primary carer and built a small team of compassionate, skilled support workers who understood David’s needs and respected his ability to make choices about his own life.
That experience became the foundation of Tea-cup Cottage’s philosophy: care should be personal, empowering, and built around the individual — never the other way around.
As David’s care program grew into a positive example for others, Alex turned her attention to broader disability support. Using her background in architectural design, she created Cubby House (now Honeygem House), a purpose-built respite retreat for children with disability. What began as one family’s search for meaningful support has grown, more than a decade later, into a leading Queensland provider of disability services.
Tea-cup Cottage is accredited with ISO 9001:2015 and Human Services Quality Standards,
and is approved by the Department of Communities, Disability and Child Safety and Queensland Health as a preferred supplier.
All of our accommodation is disability-approved and operates 24/7, ensuring safe, reliable, and high-quality respite whenever it’s needed.
Today, Tea-cup Cottage offers a full range of supports across Brisbane and surrounding regions, including:
- Short-term respite
- Day programs
- Social events
- Flexible in-home and community supports
Our focus has never changed: supporting you to live the life you want.
We are known for our long-standing team — many of our staff stay with us for years. This continuity means deeper understanding, meaningful relationships, and support workers who genuinely know you, your story, and your goals. With diverse backgrounds and skill sets, we carefully match you with team members who share your interests and values, so you always feel comfortable, respected, and understood.
We believe every detail matters — from the warm, home-like feel of our respite houses to the creative, solutions-focused support we provide each day. Whether you live locally or in a remote area such as the Moreton Bay Islands, our team is flexible and can come to you. What matters most is that you receive the supports you need in a way that works for your life.
At Tea-cup Cottage, you’re not just receiving a service — you’re joining a community. We laugh with you, learn with you, listen to you, and walk beside you. We celebrate your wins, support you through challenges, and genuinely care about your journey.
From our humble beginnings in 2010 to our family of more than 300 dedicated team members today, one thing remains constant:
We put your choices, your values, and your independence at the heart of everything we do.
