24 November update: Yoshea has won the Most Outstanding Support Worker Award! 🙌 Congratulations Yoshea. So well deserved!
21 November:
The Australian Disability Service Awards is just a few days away, and two of our #TeamPossible employees are among the finalists!
The awards recognise excellence and innovation across Australia’s disability service sector and will be held in Melbourne on 23 November.
Theresia Fuessel – better known as Resi – and Yoshea Ledgard are among four finalists in the Most Outstanding Support Worker Award category.
The pair will join industry members and leaders, including the Hon Bill Shorten MP, Minister for the NDIS, in the black-tie event that celebrates best practice in the disability sector.
Yoshea Ledgard
Being named a finalist in the awards is much-deserved recognition of Yoshea’s dedication to supporting people with disability for more than two decades.
Her person-centred approach recognises the importance of empowering individuals, ensuring people have ownership over their routines and activities.
Yoshea prioritises the happiness and satisfaction of the individuals she supports, providing activities that are enjoyable, safe and contribute to a healthy lifestyle.
Yoshea takes the time to support people who are non-verbal using picture cards, magazines, photos and social media. This enables them to communicate their preferences about matters that directly impact their lives.
Recently, she worked with Bob to build a go-kart, using visual aids such as pictures and other forms of communication to help him choose a design. Together, they created a list of what was needed and set a three-month timeframe for completion.
By supporting Bob to buy the necessary tools and materials and attend basic carpentry lessons at Bunnings, he gained the skills and confidence needed to build the go-kart. Through meticulous planning, personalised assistance and hands-on involvement, Yoshea empowered Bob to achieve his goal.
“I love helping other people, seeing them try new things they would not usually do,” Yoshea said.
Throughout my 23 years of work, I have had a really great team working with me. I love the variety and challenges presented to me each and every day.
Resi Fuessel
Fellow finalist Resi supports people to achieve their goals by creating a positive, supportive environment to build confidence and trust. She believes meticulous planning is instrumental in supporting people to achieve their goals, along with effective communication.
Resi encourages people she supports to take charge and do as much as possible, fostering a sense of autonomy and confidence that empowers them to develop new skills and capabilities.
This strategy recently enabled one of her clients, Jana, to reconnect with a longtime friend.
Initially, Jana struggled with conversational skills but with Resi’s guidance and support – including preparing questions before each meeting and practising through role play – Jana’s ability to initiate and maintain engaging conversation was transformed. Jana now listens attentively, speaks more clearly and maintains eye contact.
“Take the time to get to know your clients, listen and learn, and build a good rapport,” Resi said.
Create a positive, supportive and empowering environment for the people you support.
Congratulations Yoshea and Resi on your outstanding achievements and recognition.
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