Emily Crawford never knows what different adventures or experiences each working day will bring.
But she knows for sure that her role has a deeper meaning for her than just job satisfaction. It fills her need to make a positive difference to the lives of others.
Emily is a Home Care Worker at Uniting AgeWell and never regrets shifting from retail to study for a Cert III in Aged Care and joining the not-for-profit organisation 11 years ago.
“I love chatting to older people and listening to their life stories,” says Emily. “At the end of the day I come home feeling good about myself. I’m doing a job that matters.”
Emily, who is based locally in Bendigo, takes her customers out shopping or for medical appointments. Other times she’s chatting with them over a cuppa, or doing personal care or housework at their homes.
Because Uniting AgeWell offers many different services in the Loddon Mallee, Emily’s work week also includes two days at Uniting AgeWell’s Seven Hills Respite House, known as “The Cottage” doing activities with people who are there for respite care. There she gets immersed in organising arts and craft activities, card games, watching movies and more. She also loves going on bus trip outings with customers – including visits to art galleries or to see the Kyneton daffodils.
“I have a huge amount of fun,” she says.
Uniting AgeWell’s Program Manager for the area, Paula Richards, says there are openings for Home Care Workers, like Emily, across the Bendigo home care program.
This entails working with Commonwealth Home Support clients who require one or two basic services, with the option of respite care, as well as those with more specialised needs or who receive services through a home care package with Uniting AgeWell.
Uniting AgeWell also supports those doing their aged care qualification while working for the home care team.
There are roles for Home Care Workers available in Bendigo.
Phone 1300 783 435 to talk about how you can start your rewarding career at Uniting AgeWell.