How Thrive Children's Therapy Found Room to Grow–One Pod at a Time

When Thrive Children’s Therapy first opened its doors in 2019, founder Jade couldn’t have predicted the challenges – and growth – that lay ahead. What began as a small, neurodiversity-affirming speech pathology clinic has blossomed into a thriving hub for children and families in Sunbury and beyond. But with that success came a challenge many growing businesses face: space.

Meeting Demand Without Losing Their Culture

“We were bursting at the seams,” Jade explains. “Speech pathology is in high demand, and we’d outgrown our four therapy rooms pretty quickly. I needed a solution – fast.”

Initially, the team tried renting additional space at a nearby community hub. But it quickly became clear that being split across locations wasn’t ideal. “Team cohesion was starting to suffer. We really value being able to have lunch together, grab a coffee, chat – or not chat ­– if that’s what someone needs that day. Being together, with space for alone time, really matters to us.”

Discovering a Flexible Alternative

Jade stumbled across Room to Move pods on Facebook Marketplace. “I was like – wait, they’re in Gisborne? That’s just around the corner. Let’s give this a try.” Starting initially with just one room, placed out the back of the main clinic.

“It was working so well. We actually used to fight over it,” Jade laughs. “We're a neurodivergent team ourselves, so sometimes you just need a little peace and quiet from the rest of the crew.”

That first therapy pod quickly turned into three. And while the initial intention was to expand into a second premises, the pods gave Jade the breathing room she needed. “The pods bought me time to figure out what we really needed in terms of space, staffing, and setup, without the pressure of long-term leases. It was a risk-free way to grow.”

A Calming Alternative for Kids (and Staff)

Thrive works with children up to 18, many of whom are anxious or sensory-sensitive. Traditional clinical spaces can feel overwhelming, but the rooms have offered something different.

“They feel nothing like a medical centre,” Jade says. “They bring the outdoors in. There’s natural light, views of the oval and trees. For some of our kids, just being able to bypass the main clinic and go straight to a pod has made a world of difference.”

The team has also made each pod its own. “We’ve got disco lights, jellyfish lights, sensory tools, we turn the ceiling lights off and make it a calm space. It’s versatile. You can create whatever environment suits the child.” 

Built for Practicality 

The pods are more than just peaceful, they’re functional, too. “Heating in winter? Amazing. We like it warm, like Sahara Desert warm, and it delivers,” Jade laughs. “In summer, the aircon works beautifully, or we just leave the sliding door ajar and let in fresh air.”

When it comes to styling and setup, there was one small challenge: “You can’t nail things into the walls, which honestly, I hated, until I found out the walls are magnetic!” That discovery sparked a wave of inspiration. “Now we can hang artwork, planners, whiteboards, whatever we need, with magnets. It’s actually kind of magical.” 

A Seamless Experience

For Jade, working with Room to Move has been refreshingly easy. “I don’t want to deal with problems, I’ve got enough on my plate. Mike came to me with solutions. I’d say, ‘I need a pod here, will it fit?’ and he just made it happen. That’s the kind of business I want to work with.” 

What's Next?

With three rooms now part of the Thrive landscape, there’s no slowing down, at least not yet. “I joked about double-storey pods,” Jade laughs. “We’re not quite there… but who knows? Where there’s a will, there’s a way!”

Are you an allied health professional looking for flexible, low-risk room solutions?
Discover how a Room to Move portable room could support your practice. Learn more or enquire today.