“I provide four hours of in-home support to a middle-aged male I went to school with; he was in my sister’s class. Being in a small community means knowing the people you’re supporting, which makes the experience even more rewarding.

Discovering more about the person I support truly floats my boat. The more you get to know someone, the better you can support them. You learn their likes, dislikes, and comfort zones. For example, Barb isn’t comfortable with big steps or steep slopes, and she communicates that to me, asking for support. I also discovered that Barb is incredibly talented at sketching.

At the start, you’re trying to do everything you have been taught and trying to think for the client. But you’re not realising they were already giving you all the information you need. That’s what’s great about our Day Options program, you have the whole day to learn from and be guided by our clients. I’m always happy to be learning.

“Learning about client-centred care was a turning point for me; putting the client at the center of what you do takes the guesswork out of it.”

Graham

If you care about others, that’s the key. You’re the right person to be a Support Worker. You’ll see things with new eyes; sensory issues, mobility, and how to support people in your personal life. It opens up a whole new perspective.”