Episode Transcript
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Australian social researcher Hugh Mackay highlights a modern dilemma.
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We're more connected than ever through social media,
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yet we feel increasingly isolated.
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This kind of social loneliness isn’t just a downer,
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I mean, it can harm our physical and mental health,
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impacting everything from blood pressure to our immune function.
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Brain Fog.
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Real, face-to-face time with others can counter these effects,
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boosting our overall wellbeing.
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The fourth Sunday of Lent’s Gospel,
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has Jesus telling the story of the prodigal son,
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who leaves his family and friends,
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squanders his inheritance on wild living far from home.
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When he's down to nothing and social isolated,
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he returns, ashamed and expecting rejection.
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Instead, his father welcomes him home with open arms,
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it's a powerful reminder,
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no matter how far we stray, we can always come back to family,
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to community.
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This story and studies remind us that genuine connections are crucial,
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for our physical, mental and spiritual health.
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How do I embrace those who have nowhere to turn?
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Hello, my name is Linda Abbott,
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and I am a Service Leader for CHSP clients
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in Aged Care and Housing,
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based at our Aspley Hub.
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I’ve been with Centacare Community Services for twenty-seven years,
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having worked in various roles throughout my career.
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I work alongside a dedicated Centacare team,
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including intake, rostering, my peers,
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our manager, and especially the support workers
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who deliver the services.
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Together, we ensure we meet each client’s individual needs
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and work with them to achieve their personal goals.
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A typical day for me involves
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collaborating with different departments across the community sector
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to ensure our clients’ needs are met.
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When I reflect on the question,
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How do I embrace those who have nowhere to turn?
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I realise that embracing those in need
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has been the core of my career and Centacare’s work.
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Many of our clients are socially isolated,
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lack family connections,
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or face physical or mental impairments.
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For many, Centacare is the only positive force in their lives.
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One of the key aspects of my role
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is reaching out to clients who need assistance to stay in their homes,
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whether it’s regular podiatry visits,
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help with household tasks,
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or more complex services like personal care
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and medication management.
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A big part of what I do
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is making sure clients understand the services available to them
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and how to access any additional support they may need.
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In addition to my other responsibilities,
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I also manage the Aspley Hub,
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a safe space where clients can spend their day.
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For a first-time visitor,
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walking into the Hub can be an anxious experience.
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To help ease that, we take extra steps to welcome them,
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giving them a tour of the Hub and pairing them with a client
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who shares similar interests,
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making sure they feel comfortable and supported.
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Another way we embrace those in need
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is by supporting the carers.
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We recognise that they, too,
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need a break from their caregiving duties
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and time to focus on their own well-being.
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By taking care of their loved ones,
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we give carers peace of mind,
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knowing their family member is safe
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and enjoying the company of others.
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No matter who our clients are or what their circumstances may be,
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my goal is to surround them with care and support.
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I firmly believe that happy, well-supported staff
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lead to happy, engaged clients.
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That’s why we make it a priority to listen to our staff,
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valuing their insights, concerns, and suggestions
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to ensure the best possible outcomes for our clients.
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At the end of the day,
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if a client leaves the Hub with a smile on their face
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or if an in-home client is able to remain in the community of their choice,
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I know I’ve done my job.
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That’s the goal that motivates me and my team every single day.
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Thank you.
