“We have amazing staff who are so passionate about supporting our customers to achieve their goals,” said Rebecca Harris, Head of Human Resources at Just Better Care Australia.
 
“The Possible Awards are how we celebrate that passion.”
 
Almost a year ago, the Possible Awards were conceived to reward and recognise the efforts of outstanding Just Better Care staff, and commemorate the powerful bond between Support Professionals and customers.
 
The awards invited customers and staff to nominate a Support Professional, Nurse or office staff member that they thought had gone above and beyond in their role.
 
Almost 280 stories of care, compassion and connection were submitted; a rare insight into the work of Support Profes­sionals across Australia.
 
Rebecca said the highlight in 2018 was “absolutely, the beautiful stories” that customers had submitted.
 
“At head office, we hear small snippets about the work of our staff in the occasional card or a message, but to read hundreds of stories of support was overwhelming,” she said.
 
“I remember thinking this is why we do what we do,”
 
Rebecca said the reviewing committee worked hard to select winners who best displayed a care and compassion that embodied the bond between Support Professional, Nurse or office staff member and customer.
 
Rebecca said the awards ultimately celebrate the meaningful impact that Support Professionals have on their customers’ lives.
 
“Support Professionals work alongside our customers to enable and empower them to achieve their goals. It is a very special relationship. Their Support Profes­sional might be the only person they see all day,” she said.
 
Last year, Leanne from Just Better Care Central Coast and Christine from Just Better Care Gold Coast were recognised for their amazing work, as the overall winners of the 2018 Possible Awards.
 
“Each of our Support Professionals and Nurses work so hard, often there just isn’t the time to stop and reflect on the impact that their job has. The reality is these people are a light in someone’s day,” she said.
 
“And usually, for our staff, the feeling is completely mutual. It’s the reason they love their work”
 
Just Better Care Australia is looking forward to celebrating another set of stories that will come out of the Possible Awards in 2019.
 
“We were overwhelmed with the response from colleagues and customers in 2018, and we’re hoping it’s going to be even bigger this year.”
 
Rebecca says it’s important that everyone can nominate, and invites each customer and their friends and family to take part in submitting nominations online, in writing or by phoning their local office.
 
“It can be a challenging job – our Support Professionals and Nurses put their heart and soul into their work,” she said. “But people who work in community care do it to make a difference in people’s lives. That’s what the awards really celebrate.”
 
Are you interested in nominating a Support Professional for the Possible Awards? Find out more here.
 
This article is from issue 7 of Possible Magazine. Read it here.