July 2023
July at The Companion Group has been a busy one. As we all scratched our heads about where half the year went, our much-loved Team Leader Kirsten got to enjoy the last week of her leave. On returning she and our newest office member Leanne hit the ground running with referrals and got to meet some new faces that will be joining us as participants at TCG.
Training
This month we sent 3 new workers to get their first aid certificates updated, as well as releasing the last of our online training modules for our support workers - "Introduction to Mental Health". Many of our participants require mental health related support and it was important to us to provide more training in this area.
Artists at The Companion Group
How cute are these statues? One of our support workers sent in this little project they had been working on with a participant.
5 Year Milestone at TCG
This month two of our wonderful Support Workers hit the 5-year mark with us, making them the longest running Support Workers we have on the books. Both DSW's have vibrant personalities and continue to impress us with the exciting ideas they come up with for our participants, even after all these years. Both were kind enough to answer some questions about their time with us.
Libby-Jane
5 years at TCG, how do you feel hitting the milestone?
I’m super thrilled to be with TCG and intend to support participants for many years to come. The participants are such a joy to work with!!
What have you liked about working with the companion group?
I’ve watched TCG grow and thrive in recent years and I’ve felt supported and heard.
How have things changed since you started?
Since starting there have been many changes including the management team. I’ve been super impressed at how responsive the team are if any concerns are raised with regards to participant safety and well-being. I believe TCG to be leaders in the industry in the Geelong region!
Favourite memories with a participant?
As a support worker I enjoy thinking outside the box to offer participants engaging and rewarding experiences. My priority is to ensure participants have the opportunity to achieve their goals, enjoy their lives and have lots of fun and giggles along the way. There are too many wonderful experiences I’ve had, with participant, to name but I know from their responses they enjoy sharing moments of belly laughing and trust they are supported and cared for.
Advice for new support workers?
If I could give any advice to new Support Workers it would be to reach out to management with any concerns, chat with colleagues for activity ideas and HAVE FUN!
Thank you for all your amazing efforts, Libby!! Your crazy sense of humour and ability to connect with participants, particularly those who are non-verbal, is the thing we love best about you.
DSW2
For privacy reasons our second Disability Support Worker would like to remain anonymous on the blog but was still happy to have their answers shared.
5 years at TCG, how do you feel about hitting the milestone?
I feel super lucky to have seen the company grow over that time and be part of it.
What have you liked about working with The Companion Group?
I've always referred to The Companion Group as more of a 'boutique agency' because we deliver that really personalised service that often isn't possible with big organisations (in any industry). Even though we've grown in size I feel we've still got that same personalised service and family feel. Our clients are number 1 and I've always felt supported allowing me to give my best to our clients. I've felt grateful to be working with such amazing humans that are compassionate professionals and that have the understanding and openness to facilitate solutions that are person-centred (without over complicating it) and that how that looks can be different for every person.
How have things changed since you started?
Much bigger team, which is meant it's been great there's been opportunities to collaborate with others. Internal processes were more manual when I started, we've been quite fancy for some time now with improved systems and aps that make it all really easy to be participant focused etc...
Favourite memories with a participant?
So so many great memories.... how do I choose? One for example I remember strolling alongside the Yarra River, Southbank. I noticed the participant I was working with taking it all in - the sun was shining, birds chirping, the participant seemed like they were really enjoying people watching etc.. The participant said to me they hadn't been to Melbourne in about 20 years and how much they had missed it. We had caught the train there together that day, (something they hadn't tried since they had their disability) they said they hadn't felt confident and was really happy to finally be back there. Another participant has told me they were really nervous about trying a support service and now tells people, how much it's changed their life because the support assists them in being able to be active in our community. Moments like these makes me really proud to work for The Companion Group in our community. Other highlights definitely the behavioural program 'Meditation with Swords' - even though the swords were foam I still think we were all very brave!!! and our Arts and Culture tours, what a joy art brings to us all!
Any advice for new support workers?
Always take water to a shift (keep hydrated), I usually have fruit with me too to help keep energy levels, be rested, so you can be ready for what the day brings. Listen...and with your eyes, heart, gut and ears to what your participants needs / wants are and enjoy them sharing their experiences of the world. Receive support for yourself, ask for ideas - your colleagues are amazing humans!
Thank you so much for all your efforts DSW2, we know who you are and can only commend all the amazing work, passion, and joy you have brought to The Companion Group over the years.
Stay tuned for next month’s TCG update!