Page 12 - You Magazine 9

Tracy
“Everyone has different stories to tell and this has taught me patience is key and that nothing is ever certain. I take the time to slow down and be patient with everything I do and will continue to do.”
A mother of four and grandmother “to many”, Tracy
was formerly a stay-at-home mum until the day she decided to act on her interest in community care.
“I was drawn to it because
of the flexibility of the work –
the role has an understanding
of family life balance which is something I appreciate. Knowing I can make a difference in someone’s life, whether it be helping them clean, taking them shopping or just having a chat
is really important to me. Some customers only have their Support Worker as a regular interaction, and I wanted to be the one to put a smile on their face.”
No two days the same
Tracy says that one of the things she enjoys most about her work is its variety.
Working an average of 32 hours a week, Tracy’s day typically begins with her leaving home
at around 6:30am to meet her first customer who lives just 30 minutes away.
While each individual has different needs, Tracy says personal care where she’s
tasked with showering and dressing her customer can take around 30 minutes to an hour, while domestic assistance jobs involving cleaning can take anywhere from one to three hours. The remainder of her day is usually spent on community engagement with her customers, ensuring they remain connected with their local community and attend their health appointments.
“Sometimes it’s a little bit of a surprise, but when I have regular customers we have a routine and
know exactly what needs to be done,” Tracy says.
Happy where she is
Tracy says one of the great things about her long tenure has been the number of valuable lessons she’s been able to apply to her day- to-day life as a result of her work.
“Everyone has different stories to tell and this has taught me patience is key and that nothing is ever certain. I take the time to slow down and be patient with everything I do and will continue to do.”
“Honestly, I do feel I may have the potential to clock up another 30,000 hours. As each day passes it’s such a blessing working with the clients I do and the impact I’m making on their lives. I just don’t see myself finishing up anytime soon.”
12 2024 You