Finding a rewarding role

“Brave is the Northcott value that means the most to me. I try to avoid conflict but being brave for our participants is something that’s really easy.”
– Rachel Ralph, Support Worker

Rachel started at Northcott in Ballina around six years ago, moving from hardware retail to disability support work to fulfil her desire to help other people.

With no prior experience working in the sector, or close relationships with people with disability, the switch was daunting.

“I remember feeling like a deer in headlights in my first couple weeks. I thought, ‘I can’t do this. I don’t know how to do this. This is so overwhelming’,” she recalls.

Now Rachel can’t imagine doing anything else.

“I love it. I love that I get to work with people who are so genuine.”

Rachel’s role

Rachel is a support worker, primarily in Ballina’s centre based Everyday Life Skills service, supporting participants to meet their goals, take part in activities and learn new skills.

“I’m happy to assist the people we support achieve their goals, be their best, or do whatever is needed to get them through the day. Whether that’s supporting them with behaviours, personal care or just being the best person they are,” Rachel says.

She is an instrumental member of the team, earning the trust and respect of both the participants and her fellow staff.

“Rachel is always thinking outside of the box and creates a safe space for our participants to share their dreams with her. She then makes those dreams small achievable steps. She is always thinking ahead and breaking down barriers that may be in the way of participants achieving their goals,” says Kahli Milner, Service Manager in Ballina.

One of the things Rachel is proud to have achieved during her time at Northcott is to help form a customer committee at the Everyday Life Skills service.

After realising that one of the participants enjoyed organising events and activities, Rachel worked with him to establish the committee and encourage customer-led activities. Drawing on her experience as a Scout leader, Rachel and the participant developed a way to plan and create meaningful experiences for the group.

“Northcott and my coordinator backed me to do this and now we have a service where customers have input into their activities and what they do each day,” she explains.

While being part of the customer committee was an amazing achievement, Rachel says she is most proud of the trust she builds with participants.

“I’m really proud when a participant needs personal care and they will only let me support them. When somebody at their most vulnerable trusts me enough to let me assist them that gives me the most pride in my day.”

A passionate advocate

Standing up for what she believes has always been important to Rachel.

“I genuinely love to be able to advocate for the people we support. We have a customer who loves getting his nails done and getting a little blush. His family didn’t want this, but Northcott backed me 100% to support him to do this because it was his choice.

“To work for a company that feels this way is so empowering to me. That’s what I love about Northcott, our values and the people we support,” Rachel says.

“Seeing how happy he is [with his painted nails] and knowing that I not only have the ability to support him, but also the backing of my company, that’s what I love about my job.

“I have seen so many goals achieved and been able to support people in so many ways – that’s both amazing and rewarding.”