A Partnership Built on Inclusion: PSP and Castle

For nearly 15 years, PSP Hospitality Supplies (formerly known as Port Stephens Packaging) has been opening doors to meaningful employment for people with disability, injury or health conditions, through their long-standing partnership with Castle.

Located in Nelson Bay, the family-owned business supplies consumables to industries right across the region, from hospitality and accommodation providers to education, aged care, construction, and mining. Their products include everything from catering and kitchen supplies, hotel and motel fit-outs, cleaning and chemical supplies, and packaging. With over 10,000 products in their range, PSP is a key supplier to businesses from the Hunter through to Sydney, and as far north as Port Macquarie.

Over this time, PSP has employed close to 50 Castle participants in roles including warehouse assistants, delivery drivers, and showroom sales assistants. Each has brought their own personality, skills, and life experience into the workplace, contributing to PSP’s reputation for great service.

PSP General Manager, Rob Peel, reflects on the impact of the partnership:

“I still remember people like Kenny, Aaron, and even one of our current team members who were once considered ‘unemployable’ until Castle introduced them to me. Having a barrier doesn’t mean you are not capable of employment. Often, the barrier has nothing to do with someone’s capacity to complete certain tasks.

Castle plays a key role in matching the right candidates to employers like PSP, taking into account each person’s skills, interests, and experience to ensure a good fit for both the employee and the business. Once in the role, Castle continues to provide on-the-job support, from training and workplace adjustments to regular check-ins and mentoring, helping participants build confidence and stay employed long term. This hands-on, person-centred approach gives businesses the reassurance that every placement is supported for success.

Rob was the first to introduce Castle to PSP nearly 15 years ago, and since then, he’s continued to champion inclusive employment. His philosophy is clear: people deserve a fair chance to show what they can do. He has even recommended others to become Castle employees, recognising the quality and dedication of the team.

“What I value most is the open communication and honest relationships. The Castle team really know their services and how everything works, which takes a lot of pressure off me. They’re efficient, adaptable, and able to tailor their support to meet our needs, which makes the partnership both easy and effective.”

Castle Account Officer Krystyna Thoms says partnerships like this are at the heart of building inclusive communities, and PSP has been an outstanding example of what genuine inclusion looks like in practice:

“PSP really stands out as an employer that sees the person first, not the barrier. They’ve shown time and again that when businesses are open to inclusive employment, they gain loyal, hardworking staff and help build stronger communities. They’re a role model for what inclusive business can look like.”

"Rob looks beyond the barriers that participants may face and recognises their potential. He helps build their confidence and resilience, serving as a guiding force that empowers them to use this opportunity to grow and improve in all aspects of life."

PSP’s success is proof that when businesses see ability before barriers, everyone benefits – employers, employees, and the wider community.