NDIS Support Worker/Mentor

Proud donor and supporter of this wonderful organisation

As apart of a recent support, we attended a cat cafe to assist in easing anxiety through some animal therapy. We decided to put some other plans on hold so that the client could move into a calmer head space. I am so grateful that my role affords me the opportunities to be adaptable and support clients in a uniquely person-centred approach which works best for them.

CURRENT AVAILABILITY

Wednesday AM
Monday AM or PM

*Weekends by negotiation *

A friend recently told me about this phrase. It resonated so much with me, as I'm sure it will for many. We are often our own harshest critics and could use a little more of this..🙏

"compassionate curiosity." The point being, to wonder about ourselves, to learn about ourselves, but to do so compassionately.

Its important not to judge a disability by it's invisibility. We need to take the time and effort to put ourselves in that person's shoes, to ask questions, truely listen and comprehend what the persons is going through. This is an ongoing process.

Some photos from support today at hallet cove boardwalk.

Today we acknowledge, commemorate and remember all the service men and women that suffered, lost their lives and fought in war. Giving thanks for the freedom and peace we are so fortunate to have, we will always remember them.

Last week a client and I went to see a comedy show at the Fringe. Often, in our supports we focus on skills building and attending to tasks/appointments but it's also important to get out in the community and experience new things. My client often states that one of the things she loves the most in our time together is the we laugh alot. I love hearing this, because life can be tough and challenging at times - it is so important to laugh and have fun. Laughter truely is the best medicine.

• YOU•ARE•NOT•BROKEN
Sometimes when I meet clients and their family, I am confronted with an expectation that i am going to 'transform' someone. I understand this thinking, however this is not my goal. When I meet someone, i do not see them as broken and needing to be fixed. For example, when I work with clients with an Autism diagnosis - I become aware that this person may process things differently from others, that this may cause some challenges. To me, this doesn't mean there is anything wrong with that person. They simply view, interpret and process information differently. My role is to walk along side that person, to nurture their strengths and to work with that person to facilitate capacity building so that they can achieve the things they want to. The hard work comes from the client, because change has to come from within and it has to be desired. It is not up to me to determine what someone's goals are or to impart my ideals onto them. We all face challenges in this lifetime, I have the privilege of working with individuals (unique in their own right) to work through some of theirs. I sit in a place of gratitude that I learn just as much off my clients as they do me.

Some snaps from our support today. We had so much fun feeding the animals and talking through life's twists and turns

WHAT I LOVE MOST....
Is seeing the little milestones that clients achieve. I enjoy celebrating these with my clients. What can be perceived as 'Small' is actually an integral part of a big picture that we are creating together.
Working from a strengths-based approach is a little like the picture below. My role is like the water being poured onto the seedling. I invigorate and bring to surface the clients strengths, but the client is the one who sprouts and grows through the surface of the soil. With some more caring ingredients added, what starts off as a small sprout becomes a picture of strength, new life and continual flourishment.

HIDDEN/INVISIBLE DISABILITY
I am passionate about raising public awareness that not all disabilities are 'visible.' Many of my clients are experiencing trauma or an illness which might not seem obvious or visible to a member of the public. For example, a person diagnosed with trauma, ASD, Bi-polar can become triggered by things that others may not react to or be more susceptible to overwhelm by loud noises body language, certain spaces or places etc. Most of us react back when you are on the receiving end of what you perceive to be an 'unreasonable' reaction. I have been guilty of this myself. Since working in this field and sometimes seeing this unfold, my understanding has increased and i try to always keep the following in mind.
'Most of us are fighting a battle that others know nothing about.'

CAPACITY BUILDING
This word gets thrown around alot but what does it actually entail? My interpretation is that there is not a 'one size fits all answer.' Everybody is different in their abilities, skills, hopes/dreams, interests, limitations and strengths.
In NDIS terms: capacity building would be defined as Skills building.
But just what does this look like?
I once worked with a client who had a goal of becoming more independent. She suffered from high levels of anxiety and didn't want to obtain a licence. Together we built her 'capacity' by walking down to the shops, finding a local library, learning some basic computer skills and looking up a bus timetable. From there, we caught the bus into the city and back. Once she was more comfortable, we ventured out further and eventually she was able to catch the bus by herself. It opened up a whole new world for her.
Another example of capacity building was a client I worked with who wanted to learn some cooking skills. We worked towards this by looking up some recipies, going food shopping and cooking some meals together. She learnt some new In the kitchen, as well as taking care of her nutritional needs.
These are just two examples of clients I have worked with to build capacity. They both acquired new skills in their own right. This picture looked completely different for both of them. This is capacity building in a person-centred approach.

Depression tips

Shower. Not a bath, a shower. Use water as hot or cold as you like. You don’t even need to wash. Just get in under the water and let it run over you for a while. Sit on the floor if you gotta.

Moisturize everything. Use whatever lotion you like. Unscented? Dollar store lotion? Fancy 48 hour lotion that makes you smell like a field of wildflowers? Use whatever you want, and use it all over your entire dermis.

Put on clean, comfortable clothes.

Put on your favorite underwear. Cute black lacy panties? Those ridiculous boxers you bought last christmas with candy cane hearts on the butt? Put them on.

Drink cold water. Use ice. If you want, add some mint or lemon for an extra boost. I always use lime.

Clean something. Doesn’t have to be anything big. Organize one drawer of a desk. Wash five dirty dishes. Do a load of laundry. Scrub the bathroom sink.

Blast music. Listen to something upbeat and dancey and loud, something that’s got lots of energy. Sing to it, dance to it, even if you suck at both.

Make food. Don’t just grab a granola bar to munch. Take the time and make food. Even if it’s ramen. Add something special to it, like a soft boiled egg or some veggies. Prepare food, it tastes way better, and you’ll feel like you accomplished something.

Make something. Write a short story or a poem, draw a picture, color a picture, fold origami, crochet or knit, sculpt something out of clay, anything artistic. Even if you don’t think you’re good at it. Create.

Go outside. Take a walk. Sit in the grass. Look at the clouds. Smell flowers. Put your hands in the dirt and feel the soil against your skin.

Call someone. Call a loved one, a friend, a family member, call a chat service if you have no one else to call. Talk to a stranger on the street. Have a conversation and listen to someone’s voice. If you can’t bring yourself to call, text or email or whatever, just have some social interaction with another person. Even if you don’t say much, listen to them. It helps.

Cuddle your pets if you have them/can cuddle them. Take pictures of them. Talk to them. Tell them how you feel, about your favorite movie, a new game coming out, anything.

May seem small or silly to some, but this list keeps people alive.

**Your absolute best won’t ever be good enough for the wrong people. At your worst, you’ll still be worth it to the right ones. Remember that. Keep holding on. In case nobody has told you today I love you and you are worth your weight and then some in gold, so be kind to yourself and most of all keep pushing on!!!!

**copied and pasted, feel free to do the same**

Who here believes in pet therapy? 🙂
This guy is happy because he's been for a walk and I'm happy because he is 🥰

I am aware more than ever this year that the Christmas season means so many different things for people. For some, it's a time of joy and community, for others it's a time of isolation and sadness and everything in between. After the craziness and uncertainty of this year, it's more important than ever that we look after one another ❤🧡💛💚💙💜🤎

NDIS Support Worker/Mentor

My profile

Name: Jessica
Age; 32
Servicing; Eastern and Central Adelaide
Specialising in; Adults with intellectual disability, ASD, anxiety/depression. Addiction. All enquiries welcome.
Qualifications/certificates
Diploma in Community services (Case Management)
Senior first aid Certificate with CPR
Child safe environments Certificate
DCSI clearances
National Police Check
Full Australian Drivers licence
NDIS module
Covid safety
My interests; nature, animals, cooking, self-development, spirituality, creativity, movies, reading.

About me

My personal strengths are my verbal and written communication skills, I have a sense of empathy but am also pragmatic, friendly, down to earth, flexible/adaptable, I uphold strong professional and personal values which include; integrity, confidentiality, dignity and mutual respect.

I am passionate about helping people to live meaningful lives and walking alongside participants on their journey. I have had approximately five years’ experience in this industry across varying roles. I aim to help those living with disabilities/mental health conditions to increase their capacity and work towards their goals. I adopt a person-centred approach when working with participants, acknowledging that every person is unique in their strengths, challenges, story and what they require in support.

Services offered
- Transportation
- Social support
- Skills/Capacity building
- Assistance with domestic duties