In recognition of the important work our female team members do each day, we asked residential Volunteer Coordinator Tania about what motivates and inspires her.

Why did you choose to work with us?

“I was drawn to working with HammondCare through a contact at my church – she was already working with HammondCare and was very positive about the organisation. The other attraction for me was HammondCare being a not-for-profit, Christian entity.”

You have been with HammondCare for 10 years now. Why did you choose to stay?

“I felt an instant connection to the work, which has stayed with me since – when I began as a volunteer, and visited a resident with complex care needs. I would take him in his wheelchair for a walk around the grounds, spend time talking or not talking with him. It was his choice how we spent it together.

“At the end of each visit, he would squeeze my hand and say: ‘I don’t know why you’re here, but I’m so glad you are.'.

“I made a difference to his life by being there for him, showing up, especially as I wasn’t someone with a specific job to do. And I think he felt valued because of that.”

Who inspires you?

“When I ran new ideas for activities past my then team leader Jodie, she would always take me back to where it all started, with our Mission.

“Jodie would say: ‘What would it do for the residents? How would they benefit?’
It was a great lesson in humility and compassion.

“Another manager, Dawn, I would call a ‘transformational’ leader. She always works strategically, thinking of the long term, not just a quick fix. An example would be when she redesigned approaches to care in cottages for people with complex care needs, to maximise resources for better resident outcomes.”