Employee Stories

Amanda’s personal carer connection

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 03:05:49 +0000

Amanda Nicholls has been working as a Carer Engagement Officer with the VMCH Carer Support program for 11 months. But Amanda knows more than most of us about the ins and outs of being a carer, as her own personal experience has shaped the direction of her career.

In her 30’s Amanda cared for her grandfather who had advanced dementia, and could no longer perform any daily living tasks independently.

Amanda’s grandfather couldn’t walk or stand and was completely incontinent, and required two carers, 24 hours a day in order to remain at home. Due to his dementia, Amanda said he had a good sense of where he was at home (having lived there since his early 30s) but when he was not there, he became confused and anxious.

Amanda said being a carer came with many physical, emotional, and social challenges.

“The lack of sleep was difficult during the times he was unwell and needed overnight monitoring.

“It was impossible to maintain a ‘normal’ social life, even though my friends were caring and supportive. I could never stay out late and have a few drinks, as I needed to be fresh and ready to go early every day. I also didn’t have any days off – it was 7 days a week. I also re-activated an old back injury with the physical demands of his care including hoisting and rolling.”

While it was difficult, Amanda said it was an honour to support an ‘amazing’ man, and to be at his side until the end.

“He was so sweet and funny and these aspects of his personality remained as his dementia and health worsened. I loved taking him down to the shopping village on a nice day, for cappuccinos and his favourite – custard tarts. We also enjoyed the company of his lovely support workers and meals on wheels worker and met some other amazing carers at social outings.”

As part of her role with the Carer Support program, Amanda organises leisure, well-being and educational events and activities for carers registered with the VMCH program.

“We are currently delivering all events and support online due to the pandemic. I also work at building relationships with other organisations and providers. For example, we have partnered with an organisation called YourLink, for a program trial to get older carers using video conferencing and other applications to improve social connections.”

Amanda said that her personal experience has shown her just how individual each person’s journey with dementia is.

“I only learned more in terms of how it impacted my grandfather, rather than about dementia as a whole. For example, I learned how to modify his environment so that it worked for him. This meant changing his bed position so he wasn’t looking at the wallpaper (in which he saw bugs in the patterns) or playing music he enjoyed during his morning and night routine.

“I think we need to give much more weight to the special knowledge a carer has about the care relationship and the needs of their recipient.

“I just hope that our carers feel that they are supported to achieve their full potential, both as individuals and as carers.”

Celebration Week: Bron Summers, Volunteering and Op Shops

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 03:04:28 +0000

Bron Summers will this year celebrate ten years at VMCH! Bron started out as a Volunteer Recruitment Coordinator at Villa Maria in Kew. Keen to work in the non-profit sector to help make a difference, Bron now oversees the involvement of our nearly 600 volunteers and op shop operations as Senior Manager of Volunteer Services and Opportunity Shops.

What is the biggest change you’ve seen from when you started at VMCH to now?

Funny, last year I would have said the merger and the growth that has come with that were the biggest changes. Now I have to say, this Pandemic era we are in has thrown up the biggest challenges and the biggest opportunities for change, not only in the organisation but for the volunteering sector as a whole. Adapt, improvise and overcome are my three most used words, and much needed at the moment.

What does it mean to you to work at VMCH?

I feel very privileged to work with an organisation who puts people at the centre of all that we do. To work in a place that truly values the contributions and gifts of our volunteers is amazing and very rewarding for me personally.

What do you love most about your role?

I am inspired every day by our beautiful volunteers who I constantly learn from. I love the caring people I work with in the Mission team and I feel supported in all that I do. I also really love the diversity of my role and that every day is so vastly different.

How do you feel about working at VMCH for 10 years?

It honestly doesn’t feel like it has been 10 years already but I’m grateful and humbled for the experiences I’ve had over that time and look forward to seeing what happens next.

What do you like to do outside of work?

My husband and I have six adult children between us and I’m blessed with a gorgeous granddaughter, Grace, who is nearly four years old and is an absolute joy. I love football and we’re ever hopeful Melbourne supporter.

Celebration Week: Evan Costello – St Paul’s College

Thu, 04 Nov 2021 03:02:20 +0000

Evan Costello has taught students across junior, middle and senior classes at St Paul’s College for the past 10 years. His teaching and disability experience is interesting and varied, including a house coordinator in a Community Residential Unit, teaching in a remote Indigenous community in the Northern Territory, and three years teaching at an international school in Lisbon, Portugal.

What do you love about your role?

I love working with students (even the very tough ones!) as well as their families who I have always valued. Empathy is an extremely valuable skill and I have learnt so much from parents about the whole picture of their unique child. I am also quite social so have loved working with a huge variety of colleagues during my career.

What is the biggest change you’ve seen from when you started at VMCH to now?

I have seen many changes over the years at St. Paul’s College. While the old Kew site had many good points it was getting very old and the change to our new Balwyn Site has meant the school actually looks a lot more like a school now! There have been vast changes in methodology in teaching students with special needs over the years and there have been many advances in individualising the program for students, and of course technology has changed our landscape. However, I belong more in the group that believe that teaching is an “Art” as well as a “Science” and I believe many of the things that we did in the past had intrinsic worth and value. I think in some ways in the past we were able to work with students in a more natural and free flowing manor. But times change and we all need to adapt and I have tried my best to continue learning.

What does it mean to you to work at VMCH?

VMCH has always been an organisation that has fostered its staff. Professional development as well as that sense of community and spirituality have been aspects that I have particularly valued.

What to do like to do outside of work?

I love to keep fit (playing badminton for many years). I also enjoy movies, volunteering, travel and reading. The last few months of lockdown have been a big change for me. I used to be out at least five nights per week doing this and that but have learnt to slow down, walk a lot in my community, get to know my neighbours and be truly in my local neighbourhood.