Jason has been Paul’s Support Professional for almost four years now and, over that time, the pair has developed a close bond.

“You could say we didn’t hit it off straight away, our camaraderie was more of a natural progression,” Jason recalled.

“It wasn’t until we got coffee together and realised we had grown up in the same area our entire lives that we really connected.”

Their ability to relate to each other created the trust Paul needed from a Support Professional.
“I trust him and he trusts me. We have a similar sense of humour and love to joke around,” Paul said.

Jason has worked in the aged and disability care industry for over 20 years. When he left school he was unsure of his career direction.

“I looked back throughout my youth and considered the people that I admired. I remember going to visit my grandparents and seeing the quality of care the aged-care workers gave them,” he said.

“The residents were so well-looked after. I wanted to help people the way they helped my grandparents, so I decided to pursue a career in community care.”

Jason supports Paul with a number of daily tasks, from helping him to get out of bed in the morning to choosing what clothes to wear. When Paul makes his cereal every morning, Jason helps when he is needed but leaves most of the work to Paul.

“My job is to assist but I know that Paul is capable and it’s important that he can exercise his independence. I don’t get in the way,” Jason said.

“We respect each other a lot. I look forward to every shift with Paul because I know I’ll leave with a smile on my face.

“Having a positive and meaningful working relationship makes all of the difference to both our lives.”

Community Support Professionals like Jason play a crucial role in supporting our customers achieve their goals. Recognise and celebrate a Just Better Care employee today. Visit the Possible Awards site to nominate.