News and views from our community
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Baby G’s story by Karishma Bakshi
Meet Baby G, a brave little one who recently joined our Foster Care program. Born with a low birth weight, Baby G faced unique challenges from the very start.
- 12 Jun 2024
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Meet Alicia Johnston
Tell us a bit about your role and what you do day to day at BaptcareI’m a Practice and Development Consultant (PDC) in the Tasmanian Family Services team.My role is a part of the senior leadership team made up of 11 standard members and sometimes senior practitioners will come along too. The PDC role looks to embed best practice around trauma-informed support for children, young people and families through continuous improvement and education, practice reflection and complex case consultation.I like that I get to work in a real team. It’s a great collective of people who work together to see what they need to do as a leadership team to support each other and the staff.There’s lots of value in the group in terms of different experiences as the members come from different areas and even different states, so there’s a real breadth of experience.The team vibe is really strong.In terms of a standard day, I probably spend about 30% of my day in meetings, a percentage in learning and development working on current best practices and/or developing workshops on such topics as care planning, and spending time reviewing files to support staff with complex families through practice reflection.What was your career background?My background is psychology, but I sort of fell into child safety/human services after moving to Broome, Western Australia where I was working in hospitality, and finishing my degree.I worked in child safety and family violence in Broome, where I lived for eight years. But I was born in Tasmania and moved back to Tasmania (where I worked in child safety) to be closer to family when my daughter was two years old.I worked in the Baptcare office as a community-based team leader for five years before moving to a job in clinical practice as a Practice Manager at Child Safety Service Tas Govt. I also worked as a Practice Manager at the youth detention centre.What do you like about your job?I like being able to look at the situation for families in a different light and to consider things with a trauma informed lens.What do you like about Baptcare?I like the feel at Baptcare.Part of my role is supporting practitioners and this can be creative. I get to work with some knowledgeable practitioners who are genuinely dedicated to the families they work with and I find this inspiring.It’s a give and take space that is welcoming and familial.I also really like the smaller office space because it’s neighbourly and you can get to know most people.Baptcare has a culture of maintaining their values and working towards them.It’s an honest place and it’s a safe place to learn and fail where people are willing to take a considered risk which often comes up with a positive outcome. I appreciate this ‘it’s safe to fail’ environment.Your work must get intense at times. How do you decompress?I think I have a natural resilience because I had a supportive upbringing where I could develop this strength without even realising it. When I started in the area, I had great mentors to explain why we do what we do. This helped me being able to come up with my own strategies that work for me. If I get really stressed, I play a Pixar movie in my head and that helps to stop me looping and gets me to sleep!Any other tips for dealing with the intensities of work in the caring space?I think it’s important to accept that things can affect you more than you thought and honouring that.It also helps to have trusted people around you.If I have a bad day, I’ll just give my hubby a hug and he knows it has been a tough day.It’s important to recognise that what we do is tough and that it’s ok not to be ok.Self-care is so important because if you’re not ok you can’t help others to be ok.What did you want to be when you were a child?I wanted to be a doctor but I’m not sure exactly why. Perhaps because I liked helping people and I saw doctors as helping people. I was pretty serious about this dream at one stage. I even sat my Medical School Admissions Test (MSAT).Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself?I went tandem bungee jumping with my husband at Kuta beach in Bail in Kuta. It was so exciting!Party trick – I can do the splits because my daughter is a dancer and was having trouble doing splits, so we had a bet. Whoever did them first would get either coffee and a massage for me, or my daughter would get $20 into her bank account – I won!Ed – an added fun fact about Alicia is that she plays football. Apart from a recent injury, Alicia is a huge fan of her new sport.Tell us about your football ‘career’I play football for St Patrick's Old Collegians in the NTFAW (Northern Tasmanian Football Association Women) Division 1. It is the first year I have played, and the first year St Pats has had a women's team in the competition.I just decided I wanted to give it a try and had a friend playing who encouraged me to come along. I absolutely love it, learning to play, the positive team and club culture, and socialising with new people. The collar bone isn't ideal, but it means I can focus on coaching my netball team (instead of being a coach/player) and I look forward to getting back to training and rebuilding my strength.Ideal weekendI’d spend time with family. I really like the warmth and water/beaches, so I’d go somewhere tropical where I could have the kids entertained for a bit.I love the East coast – Binalong Bay/Scamander, gorgeous seafood.What’s your life motto? I do believe in the idea of karma – if you do good things they’ll come back to you. I really believe that it’s important to do the right thing and the kind thing because you never know what’s going on in someone’s world and how your actions can impact them that day.You can learn more about Baptcare’s work in Tasmania’s Family Services space on our website.
- 24 May 2024
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In honour of this week’s International Day of Families, meet Kelsey from our Tasmanian Family Services Team
Let’s start with some facts! How long have you worked at Baptcare, what is your current role and what does it involve day to day?I’ve worked at Baptcare for three and a half years. I’ve got two titles: I’m a Family Services Practitioner in the Integrated Family Support team and I’m also the Project officer of Mothers in Mind and Caring Dads groups.What’s involved in these groups?Mothers in Mind is a therapeutic playgroup. Caring Dads is a group working alongside Dads who have used abuse and violence in their parenting environments.Both groups are specific to Tasmania. What’s special about these groups? Starting with the Mothers in Mind group – the best thing we see is that it fosters a connection between mothers and their children who often join the group from a background of trauma. For example, they may have experienced (or are experiencing) mental health issues and/or family violence. It is so wonderful to see the mothers and their children actually feeling safe enough to play by the end of a session with us. It’s a safe space where we do work in small groups so as not to intimidate our participants. We start by modelling positive parenting behaviour and quickly see them mirroring our lead.Part of my role is as a Family Services Practitioner, where I am currently supporting seven families. I visit the families once a week in their homes to build parenting capacity and/or perhaps assist in reengaging the parents and children with school. I work with the families once a week over a 12-month period.We provide mentoring and advocacy work, while also assisting them to identify their family goals and how we can best achieve them.Caring Dads is a17-week group program in which participants can either be referred to us by an external agency like Child Safety or a legal service, internally if they are accessing the Integrated Family Support Service, or they can independently seek out our group. Baptcare deliver content that teaches the Dads how to interrupt their normal thought patterns and implement different ones, and parenting strategies that will support them to experience more positive outcomes and better connection with their children.One of the most positive parts of Caring Dads is witnessing our Dads having realisations that they weren’t making great decisions in their past parenting and within their relationships, and that they can change their behaviour and make decisions that are different and positive, which can increase family safety.What drew you to working in this Family Services space? I did a Social Work degree at the University of Tasmania and during my fourth year, I did a 14-week online placement (during COVID) with the Intensive Family Support Service (IFSS) Team at Baptcare and then was subsequently offered a job with them a few months after graduation.I always wanted to work with people and young people and now I can work with parents and kids at the same time which is ideal! There’s such an important connection with these two groups of people too, as many issues with children start from parenting issues. Therefore, if we can support parents with skills early, hopefully we can break the negative cycles we see.And why Baptcare? What keeps you working at Baptcare? After spending 14 weeks doing my university placement with Baptcare, I knew it was the right place for me.Baptcare has a great culture. It’s really welcoming and an environment where it’s easy to have a joke and a laugh but can still be serious and supportive when needed. Everyone really wants each other to do well and that’s a great culture to be a part of. What did you want to be when you grew up? Did you always want to work within the caring space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career? From the age of 14 I knew that I wanted to be a social worker and that I wanted to help people.I was very lucky growing up with supportive parents and a good school but I knew there were many people around me who didn’t get those opportunities. I guess my home life was based in caring. My Mum has been working as a nurse for over 35 years and my Dad has a teaching background.I started volunteering at Edmund Rice camps* during school holidays. These camps ran programs for kids who may not have the opportunity to have those experiences.(*Ed. Edmund Rice’s mission is: We create a world where children and families who have experienced trauma and adversity can thrive and belong.)I volunteered at about 30 programs over five years. Now I get to send children who I’m currently working alongside to be participants in their camps and to have those positive experiences too which is very cool.Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself? One - I know lots of random pieces of information that are completely useless. For example, kangaroos can’t move backwards.Two – From the ages of eight to eighteen, I grew up on an alpaca farm in Relbia where we had 60 alpacas. I was a Champion Junior Alpaca Handler in local competitions, including at the Wynyard Agricultural Show, the Royal Launceston Show and the Burnie Show. Describe your ideal weekendTime spent in the garden in the sun.Going to the beach.Watching the footy (my partner plays state league footy so footy consumes a lot of our life!). How would your friends describe you? That I’m not very good at saying no and will offer to help out even if I haven’t got the time!If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why? My Grandma who has passed away. She was a small (4 ft 11) but stoic woman and she’s where I get my random love of trivia!She was a big reader and very smart. My Grandma and Grandad actually ran trivia nights for North East community events in Tassie. Can you share a particularly special work day/customer interaction you’ve had recently?We recently completed a Mothers in Mind group in term 1 of this year, and all of the mums in attendance were really attentive to their children, the group content and to each other. It was evident that they really wanted to be there. As facilitators, we held the space for them but they really made it their own, sharing reflections and advice with each other. Many of them even made plans to continue their friendships at the conclusion of the program. It was a beautiful group.You can read more about services for families and youth in Tasmania on our website.https://www.baptcare.org.au/services/family-youth-and-foster-care/tasmanian-servicesYou can read more about our Caring Dads program on our website.https://www.baptcare.org.au/why-baptcare/news/baptcare-introduces-caring-dads-program-this-october
- 16 May 2024
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Choosing the right aged care mobility device for you
As we age, maintaining mobility becomes crucial for preserving independence and overall well-being. Whether you are in your senior years or assisting an elderly loved one, selecting the right mobility device is essential. Here’s a brief overview of some popular options along with some tips for choosing the perfect fit.Walking sticks (canes)Walking sticks or canes, are simple aids to provide stability and support while walking. They are ideal for mild balance issues or occasional support.Features to consider include:Handle type – there are a variety of handles on offer in the marketplace, including crook, swan neck and derby (see illustration below).Make sure to choose the handle that best suits you and your mobility needs. Crook handle walking sticks are easy to carry, like an umbrella, whereas swan neck options provide a stronger grip and keeps your weight centred. Derby handles may be better if you are looking for a bit of added support, for example, if you easily become unbalanced while walking.Material – aluminium canes are light weight and are often height adjustable and foldable. Wooden walking sticks have a more traditional style and feel and may appeal to those who appreciate a more heritage look.Base – a quad base (as displayed on the swan neck walking stick in the illustration above) provides more stability and security for those who suffer with balance issues. They offer four rubber ends to stabilise the walking stick but may not suit those who regularly climb stairs (as the wide base may not fit onto steps).Walkers (walking frames)Walkers provide more stability than canes as they have a larger frame to stabilise movement. If you have moderate mobility challenges and/or are recovering from an injury, a walker may be a better choice for you. Many also come with a built-in seat, allowing seniors to take a moment to rest when needed.Features to consider include:Base configuration – choose between standard (four rubber tipped legs), two wheel or four-wheel walkers. A standard walker provides the most stability, but the user must lift the walker to move it, so some arm strength is required. A two wheel base may be appropriate if you have trouble lifting a standard walker. A four-wheel walker may be more appropriate for those wanting a continuous gait, as there is no need to lift the frame. They have hand brakes fitted to the frame, which helps control speed, so some dexterity is required to use them. Four-wheel walkers may be better for those who only need to lightly balance themselves during walkingFoldability – check ease of folding the walker down and back up again for easy storage and transport.Weight capacity – ensure the walker can support the user’s weight.Mobility scootersElectric mobility scooters offer convenience and independence and are perfect for seniors wanting to travel longer distances, particularly outdoors.Features to consider include:Safe operation – operating a mobility scooter requires the user to be confident in their ability to safely control the vehicle. This requires a degree of concentration, adequate vision, balance (particularly on sloped surfaces), good hearing to be aware of your surroundings and the ability to get on and off the scooter without too much exertion.Operating range – the operating range of mobility scooters can vary. Some small scooters can travel up to 20km depending on the model and may be better suited to those who only want to travel short distances, for example, around the local shopping centre. At the opposite end of the scale, heavy duty scooters may operate at distances up to 50km, depending on the model, and may be better suited to rougher terrain. It’s important to think carefully about how you intend to use the mobility scooter and across which surfaces before deciding on a model.Comfort – check the seat comfort and leg room. Think about your own physical attributes – people who are taller or have a larger frame may require something a bit larger to accommodate their needs.If you are living in Victoria, you may like to consult VicRoads Guide to Choosing and Using Mobility Scooters and Powered Wheelchairs for more information.Remember to consult with a healthcare professional or occupational therapist to make an informed decision about the right mobility device for you. The right mobility device depends on your own individual needs, lifestyle and preferences. By taking the time to consult with professionals who have your interests at heart, you can look forward to enhanced mobility and a higher quality of life.
- 08 May 2024
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Food tips for people with dentures
If you have dentures, you may feel apprehensive about eating some of your favourite foods, especially if they are chewy or require you to bite into them.Here’s some tips to help you make the transition to eating with dentures easier. From some ideas for softer options to how to manage a gradual re-introduction to solid foods – we’ve got you covered.Ease into solid foodsTake some time to get used to your new dentures and avoid rushing back into eating solid food straightaway. Start with softer food options and build your confidence before trying your favourite solid foods.Eat healthy, soft foodsWhile it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the list of foods you can’t eat when wearing dentures, it’s important to remember there are a lot of healthy and soft options you can still enjoy. For example:Soft, ripe fruit (bananas, mangoes, oranges, etc.)Steamed, boiled or roasted vegetables (broccoli, carrots, zucchini, sweet potatoes, etc.)Slow cooked or mince meats (ground beef, chicken, turkey, etc.)Smooth spreads and dips (hummus, cream cheese, guacamole, etc.)Other soft foods you might like to eat include scrambled eggs, soups, broths and smoothies.Exercise caution with hot foods and drinksKeep in mind that hot foods and drinks can burn your mouth more easily when you have dentures because dentures can hinder your ability to gauge temperature effectively. Try to test the food or drink against your lips first, before you take a bite or sip.Cut up your food and take small bitesTo avoid putting excessive pressure on your dentures, cut up your food into smaller pieces. Taking small bites also helps distribute the force evenly and prevents discomfort. Chew slowly and deliberately across both sides of your mouth.Some things to avoid …Sticky hard foods like toffees, caramels, marshmallows, peanut butter and raisins can adhere to your dentures and dislodge them. Be careful with nuts and ice cubes which can put stress on your dentures and potentially cause damage to them.Some last quick tipsAvoid using your front teeth to bite into food. Instead, focus on cutting up food into smaller pieces which you can put directly into your mouth, using your back teeth to chew.Remember, proper care and maintenance of your dentures is essential to their longevity. Regularly clean them, remove them at night and visit your dental professional for adjustments and further advice as needed.
- 30 Apr 2024
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Meet Erin Macdonald
Meet Erin Macdonald, one of our talented Baptcare Allied Health team members. Erin works as a Diversional Therapist, supporting our Home Care clients’ wellbeing through tailored leisure and recreation-based interventions. She’s also part of an award-winning team, recently recognised by Baptcare for their exceptional performance on the front lines of care.Read on to discover more about Erin’s work in Diversional Therapy, her views on what helps create a high performing team and of course, why she loves working at Baptcare.When did you start working at Baptcare?I started working at Baptcare in December of 2022, about a month after I arrived in Australia from Canada.What does a Diversional Therapist do?As a Diversional Therapist, I work to keep people engaged and busy in their day to day lives. I focus on social, cognitive, physical, spiritual domains and help people engage and stay connected with areas of current or previous interest. I focus on helping people reconnect with previous hobbies or assist them with starting new hobbies that would offer various benefits to them. A collective goal as a Diversional Therapist is to increase and maintain clients’ quality of life. How did you train to be a Diversional Therapist?For me the process was probably slightly different than somebody who trained in Australia. In Canada, my speciality is titled ‘Recreation Therapist’. I went to college for two years, and obtained a diploma in Therapeutic Recreation, and then went on to University where I obtained an Undergraduate degree in Recreation and Leisure studies with a major in Therapeutic Recreation. What kind of personal qualities are needed to do this job well?Empathy and kindness play a huge part in this job. To be able to help people improve their quality of life, it is super helpful to be able to understand how they feel and to be able to put yourself in their shoes. Additionally, being friendly and outgoing really allows you to connect with individual clients and encourages them to feel comfortable around you. What is a typical day at work like for you (if there is such a thing as a ‘typical day’)?Most days are similar, but also very different. I work in Home Care so I typically see clients daily whether it is for an initial assessment, or a follow up home visit to continue implementing the recommendations and action plan that is curated during the initial assessment. I also have a high volume of behind the scenes work that includes researching supplies for specific clients or connecting with community centres on clients’ behalf. You are part of a team who recently won a Baptcare We Care Values and Safety Star Award for Co-Creation – congratulations! Tell us, reflecting on the team you are in – what are the key qualities that drive excellence there?Having the motivation to meet and exceed the needs of clients, and being able to work together effectively as an inter-disciplinary team that has the same goal for our clients’ needs, are both important qualities to have a positive client outcome. Everyone works together in so many ways - whether it is suggesting referrals for different team members or communicating about clients that we see. Have you always worked in the aged care industry?Yes, I have mainly always worked in aged care, Most of my experience has been in Dementia Specific Aged Care facilities but I have also worked in outpatient mental health and day programs for adults with various disabilities. I have always enjoyed working in the aged care industry. Why do you like working at Baptcare?Baptcare has such a supportive team environment, which is an environment I find easiest to thrive in. Everybody is very supportive of one another. I also really enjoy the flexibility, and work life balance the company promotes. What do you enjoy doing in your time away for the office? Any hobbies or other interests you’d like to share?I spend most of my free time outdoors, I love hiking, camping, beach days - anything that gets me outside. I have also recently become interested in photography and started pursuing that hobby which I have really enjoyed.In the winter I snowboard frequently which is the hobby I am most passionate about - I am a winter lover for that reason. What is your motto in life?I live by the belief of trusting in timing and that life is shorter than you think - live it to the best of your desires. If you could sit down and have dinner with anyone (living or not) who would it be and why?If I had the option, I would love to have dinner with my grandmother - she passed away when I was a toddler and I would love to be able to have a dinner and conversation with her. The stories I have heard have led me to believe she was an incredible woman - and I would love to hear those stories firsthand.Please complete this sentence …” My perfect weekend would include ….”A perfect weekend for me would include going on a day road trip out of the city (I love exploring new areas) going to a local market, finding a nice hike and spending time laughing with friends. Thank you, Erin, for your outstanding contributions to our clients’ care. We deeply appreciate everything you and your fellow team members do to enrich our community.If you are interested in working at Baptcare and joining a great community of supportive colleagues dedicated to the health and wellbeing of our clients, click here to learn more about our career options.
- 23 Apr 2024
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Australian Home Medicines Review | Empowering better health
The Home Medicines Review program, administered by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, plays a key role in ensuring the safe use of medicines at home.The program involves an accredited pharmacist visiting you at home to check that you are taking your medicines correctly and that they are working for you. The pharmacist will work with you to ensure that you are receiving the right medicines at the right dose for your condition. They will also help identify any potential drug interactions and advise on any dosage adjustment and simplifications to your medication review.You may want to ask for a Home Medicines Review if you take a lot of different medicine, visit different doctors to obtain prescriptions, are feeling unwell on your medication or are struggling to remember to take your dose at the right time.How do I get a Home Medicines review?Your doctor can assess your eligibility for a Home Medicine Review, so the first step is to make an appointment with your General Practitioner (GP). If your doctor agrees that you would benefit from a Home Medicines Review, they will write a referral to an accredited pharmacist.While there is no cost for a Home Medicines Review, you may need to pay for your GP visit, unless they are a bulk billing clinic.Preparing for a Home Medicines ReviewBefore the pharmacist arrives, take stock of all the medicines you are taking. This should include prescribed medication, over the counter medicines (e.g., pain relief, eye and ear drops, etc.) as well as any vitamins or other supplements.What happens during the Home Medicines Review?The pharmacist will visit you at home and ask you questions about all the medicines, vitamins and supplements you are taking.They will assess the safety of your medicines by checking that they haven’t passed their expiry dates and are being stored correctly. The pharmacist will ask you questions about how you are taking the medicines and suggest ways to help you remember to take them at the right times.What happens after the Home Medicines Review?After speaking with you, the pharmacist will write up a report and send it to your doctor. You can make an appointment with your doctor to discuss the report findings. Your doctor will write up a plan for you to help better manage your medicines, including changes to your medicines, if needed. This is known as a ‘Medication Management Plan’.Where can I get more information about the Home Medicines Review program?For more information, visit the Home Medicines Review website or speak with your GP.Remember: knowledge is the best prescription for well-being. So, if you are feeling concerned about your medication, don’t hesitate to reach out for advice.
- 18 Apr 2024
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Baptcare recognised for our inclusive volunteering program
We are thrilled to share that Baptcare has been nominated for an Inclusive Volunteering Program award in the 2024 EV Strengthening Communities Inclusive Volunteering Awards. These awards acknowledge and celebrate organisations whose volunteering programs welcome volunteers from all walks of life.Baptcare received the following acknowledgment of such inclusivity in our nomination application. “The Baptcare volunteer program team acknowledges, celebrates, and recognises the efforts of students, migrants, First Nations and the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community and the strengths they bring to the 24 programs they offer”.“Inclusivity is at the heart of our Baptcare values and volunteering mission, as supported by our workforce data. Last year, we had an increase in diversity hires by more than 120 people,” said Baptcare Volunteer Program Partner, Lana Davis.“I’m so proud of Baptcare’s fair, equitable and inclusive practices in our recruitment, engagement and management of volunteers and the feedback we receive from our volunteers that they feel safe, supported and empowered in their volunteering journey with us,” she said.“I've heard many stories from our migrant volunteers on their inability to obtain work in Australia despite being highly skilled with university degrees. We are proud our inclusive practices, pathways to employment options and wellbeing programs have attracted our wonderful community of volunteers,” said Lana.Congratulations to all the volunteer team and community. Fingers crossed for some good news on 1 May at the awards ceremony!Find out how to join our fabulous volunteering community here.
- 12 Apr 2024
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Meet Robyn Jones
Visiting Baptcare’s Orana Respite Day and Social Centre in East Devonport, Tasmania is like walking into a cosy relative’s home. You’re greeted by the smell of a hearty hot meal and everyone seems genuinely happy and relaxed from the chatty clients to the various lifestyle and kitchen staff. Overseeing the happiness is Robyn Jones, Home Care Program Manager at Orana who is often seen quietly interacting in the background with her trademark composition and kindness. A quote from Sheryl Sandberg (Former Chief Operating Officer of Facebook) comes to mind: “Leadership is making others better as a result of your presence …”What is your current role and what does it involve day to day? I am the Home Care (HC) Program Manager at Orana. As we are such a tightknit and supportive team at Orana, my days can vary depending on what’s needed at the centre. For example, it may involve supporting staff to resolve tricky situations within our budgetary requirements or it may involve filling in for someone in the social centre (which I love as I get to chat to all our beautiful clients!) Overall, my role is to ensure we have happy clients and staff and that everyone is working to the best of their ability to provide the best possible support to our clients in the Day Centre and/or clients in their own homes in the community.How long have you been working at Baptcare and how long at Orana?I have been working for Baptcare for over five years. I started in the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) space as Regional Manager in Launceston then moved over to Devonport in 2021 to manage our HC services which is where my passion lies.What do you like about working with Baptcare and at Orana? Baptcare have been very supportive to me over the years and have given me opportunities to work in different areas of the business. I love working at Orana as I love HC. I genuinely love working with all our clients in the Day Centre and in their own homes. I love making a difference in their lives and if I can make a client happy by bantering with them or giving them a solution to their problem then I go home, knowing I have made a small difference to someone. The staff I work with daily are also amazing. I can put my hand on my heart and say they are the best team I’ve ever worked with and I have been in the HC sector for over 30 years so that’s really saying something!Can you share a particularly special workday or customer interaction you’ve had recently? We had the pleasure of having our CEO, Geraldine Lannon, and her team visit Orana late last year. During this visit, we had some of our clients interviewed by the media team. To hear the laughter and the stories on this day made me so proud to work at Baptcare and to work with such beautiful people.How would you sum up Orana? Why do you think it’s such a special place for so many people? Orana is a special place because of the staff who run our Day Centre and all the staff who provide support to our clients. And then there’s our cook who is also amazing! We give our clients the opportunity to meet new people and form new friendships. A group of our clients even chose to go on a cruise together recently! No matter which Orana staff member answers a phone call, I know that the person will always be greeted with a happy voice. We make our clients feel welcome so they know Orana is a safe place for them. The feedback we receive from the community and clients is that our care workers are like their additional family. Our low staff levels speaks volumes.Are there any common experiences you notice with your customers? Are they generally a bit shy when they first join Orana? What kinds of comments do they make about Orana? Most new clients are in two minds when coming for the first time as they don’t know anyone. We make sure that we sit all the new clients with longstanding clients who are very sociable. I often see our current clients get up and go introduce themselves and welcome the new clients to Orana, which makes them feel special. We make sure that we include our new clients in conversations and encourage them to stay on for activities after lunch. It is very rare that a new client doesn’t return to Orana. We often hear clients say that they wish that they’d come to Orana earlier; that they love it here, that Orana is like their second family and even that it has saved their life.And now a bit about you, Robyn. Did you always want to work within the aged care space and what are some other jobs you’ve performed in your career? With the exception of a small stint at Baptcare in the NDIS space, I have always worked in aged care. When my children were little and at school, I worked in a residential kitchen where I would help prepare and deliver the meals to residents in the dining room. I enjoyed listening to their stories and enjoyed my job so much that I put myself through study for my Certificate III in Aged and Community Care. Once I achieved this, I started working in home care and have never looked back. I continued with my study and was given opportunities through my career to go into other positions. I have had over 10 roles within the home care space so feel I have done it all. I like to share my career story with others to encourage them to set goals and know that you can achieve whatever goals you set your mind to.What did you want to be when you grew up?I thought I would work in childcare but my career path changed when I accepted an opportunity in a residential aged care community. I have never regretted that decision.Can you tell us two surprising things about yourself? Five months ago, I joined a dragon boat paddling group that’s made up of breast cancer survivors and supporters of breast cancer. I had never paddled in my life, but I love it and have made some wonderful friends. I have three sons, four granddaughters and one grandson who mean the world to me. People describe me as a very strong person but one of the hardest things that I’ve had to face in my life was moving away from them. Thank goodness for technology and Facetime!Do you have a favourite quote or motto in life? Life is short so don’t put off what you can do today.Please complete this question: my favourite weekend would include going away for the weekend. Tasmania have so many beautiful places that are only a couple of hours drive away. Going away helps me recharge my batteries for the week ahead. What are two things on your bucket list? Visit the UK and meet family I haven’t met but are friends on Facebook.Visit Canada for a white Christmas.Do you have a mentor or idol? OR If you could sit next to someone at a dinner party, who would it be and why? If I was to sit at a table with someone of my choice, it would be Hugh Jackman. He seems like a down to earth person.You can read more about our Orana community on our website.
- 10 Apr 2024
