We Care NSW’s dedicated support worker Jodi Pearson has overcome her own personal battles to excel at the NSW Training Awards.
The annual event, staged by the NSW Department of Education’s Training Services NSW, recently showcased and rewarded the achievements of students, teachers, organisations and employers in the Newcastle and Central Coast area.
After being encouraged by her managers to submit her name, Ms Pearson collected the Phil Darby Memorial Award, a special industry accolade to celebrate an exceptional trainee.
“We are so proud of Jodi,” a We Care NSW spokesperson said.
“She made it through the shortlist and interviewing stages to become a finalist for the local Trainee of the Year award.
“Jodi knows more than anyone that disabilities are not always visual.
“Her long road to being treated correctly for dyslexia was a long one.
“She believes working in the disability space allows her to have others look at their disability as their superpower, empowering them to take their rightful place in the world, just as they are.
“Jodi is also aware of the toll that being in a caring position can take.
“So, she has a list of arsenal at her fingertips that she priorities every day, including meditation, taking a minute most days before she gets out of the car at the end and the beginning of her workday; music; driving; walking – at the beach, on grass, especially where she can take off her shoes and touch the earth; nature – taking notice of what is around her, how it differs from last week, and the habits of animals that live in her world; and talking to her managers.
“Also, she has a process of unpacking the situations she’s experienced and is not afraid to call to discuss situations.
“Jodi finds herself asking herself what she could have done better, while also not taking on things out of her control.
“She’s keen to continue her studies and will soon be undertaking a Certificate IV, so she can work with others and grow her skills to assist her participants even more.”
Twelve months ago, We Care NSW made the decision to take on several trainees to complete training in support work within the disability sector.
The organisation offers a range of services within the NDIS, including accommodation, behavioural support, coordination of supports, and a variety of allied health professional services.
We Care NSW delivers trauma-informed and recovery-oriented services for people living with a disability or mental health issue.
It also provides allied health clinical services, community supports and accommodation services to those within the NDIS, Medicare-funded supports or full fee-paying customers in the Newcastle, Maitland, Lake Macquarie, Port Stephens and Tweed Valley regions.
For more community stories:
- Hunter students leading the way for their local community
- Award winners feast out on Golden Pineapples
- Knights organise memorabilia auction to raise funds for those affected by Greta bus tragedy
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