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An Inspiring Journey: A Personal Story from one of our team to encourage and support you

Insights, Challenges, and Self-Care Tips from an eQuality Support Worker’s Personal Experience

October 2024 

Disability support work is more than just a job; it’s a journey of personal growth. It involves learning to navigate work/life balance while facing and overcoming challenging situations.

In this month’s feature article, we would like to share the personal story and tips of one of our staff members (name to remain anonymous) on starting out in the industry. As we explore the lows and highs of support work, we hope to inspire you to feel less alone and to reach out if you need support, no matter how big or small.

 

Growing as a Support Worker and as a Person

For many support workers, working in the industry can be rewarding but that also comes with incredible challenges, often burnout. A few signs of burnout include, compassion fatigue, a sense of mental or physical fatigue and symptoms such as headaches, aches and pains.

“Be prepared to say no. Don’t overcommit after your shift just because you feel the emotional pull to ‘fix’ everything; it can be exhausting. When I started in the industry at a young age, I wasn’t prepared for the emotional trauma of supporting clients. Looking back, I can see how I carried the weight of their challenges, which led to feelings of stress and anxiety. I even started to worry about the health of my own family, becoming overprotective and fixating on worst-case scenarios.”

Overcommitting often blurs the lines between work and personal life. Without clear boundaries, support workers may struggle to disconnect, recharge and focus on the positive person-centred support they provide.

“Maintain professional boundaries, as it could jeopardise your own wellbeing. This can happen when a client becomes so attached that they won’t take any steps without you. Building rapport with clients is important and highly rewarding, but it’s essential to establish self-boundaries, especially regarding the wider family network.”

 

Personal tips to avoid burnout and find support

  1. Be mentally prepared about how quickly life can change and stay open to the signs of stress and anxiety.
  2. De-brief after a shift. That might simply mean sitting in your car for 10 mins and listening to music.
  3. Prioritise your own personal goals, which may include spending time with friends/family or daily exercise.
  4. Celebrate the small workplace wins with your team.
  5. Reach out to your Client Services team, they have already walked in your shoes and can share some positive light.
  6. Know when to stop. There are occasions when you need to stop working with a client because the relationship is just not working. Learn to see the signs and let go.

While support work is about supporting and inspiring others, it can also involve finding inspiration from clients. Witnessing their determination and resilience, even in the face of anxiety and challenges, can be deeply impactful.

“One of the main reasons I entered this field was to support clients achieve their personal goals. It’s heartwarming to watch and be a part of their journey. When someone asked me if I would ever change career, my answer was simple: I adore my job and feel a great deal of satisfaction and fulfillment. It’s about taking the positive and negatives with any job and finding the work/life balance that suits you as an individual.”

 

How eQuality Support can assist you with your challenges and rewards.

At eQuality Support, we see ourselves as not just a disability support service; we’re a community dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our clients. Our support workers, in fact all our staff are the foundation of our service and will always be at the forefront of what we do.

We believe in the potential of our team members and are committed to your growth and development. Please contact your manager if you require any extra training programs to fulfill your role.

We also foster a supportive and inclusive work culture; your feedback is important so please speak up and let your opinion be heard.

Lastly, we understand that building rapport with clients can be challenging, but once trust is established, mutual respect becomes the reward. Each shift may feel unpredictable but knowing that you’ve done everything possible to support your client by the end of the day is incredibly rewarding. We truly thank you for your commitment.

“Believe in yourself and all that you are. Know that there is something inside you that is greater than any obstacle.” — Christian D. Larson

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