When Home Care team member Isabelle started her Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing), she didn’t expect the personal growth that would come along with her professional development.
Isabelle now helps run HammondCare’s Ironbark and Forest Oak Social Clubs for older clients in South West Sydney—what she describes as her ‘dream job.’
Taking the first steps on a new career path
Returning to the workforce 10 years ago after being a single mum was a big moment for me. While raising my two daughters, I helped out in the family food businesses—a Mexican restaurant and food factory—but I was ready for a more meaningful change. I chose aged care because I’m a people person and have always wanted to care for and learn from older people. My grandparents live overseas, so I also missed that connection.
When I joined HammondCare and read about the Certificate III in-house training program, I knew this nationally recognised qualification would help me better understand aged care and how to better support clients while gaining practical on-the-job training. Inadvertently, it was also a chance to learn more about myself.
Overcoming challenges with support
I must admit I struggled at first; I hadn’t studied in years. I wasn’t used to sitting in front of a computer, coming from a hands-on background and a busy home life. It was a huge adjustment for me, but with the help of my team around me, I was able to keep going. Debra, my manager at the time, kept telling me ‘you can do this, you’ve got this,’ patiently reassuring me whenever I doubted myself. The internal training team were always available to provide encouragement too, believing in me and my potential.
With such a supportive network around me, I felt determined to prove to myself that I could complete the Certificate III. And I did! My daughter Chantal came to my graduation, and I was so proud to show her what you can achieve when you believe in yourself.
Landing my dream job
Now I work across two HammondCare Social clubs, and every day offers something new and different. We have fun taking clients out in the minibus, organising activities indoors and out in the sunshine, and cooking delicious meals together, just to name a few activities.
Thanks to everything I learned during my training I’m confident with all sorts of tasks, including administration, which is a great help for my role as Health Safety and Wellbeing Officer. HammondCare has helped me grow both personally and professionally, and I’m truly grateful.
HammondCare is proud to offer its own Registered Training Organisation, delivery nationally recognised and free training to HammondCare employees since 2012.
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