About

Hi! My name is Rachel, I am a happy, positive person and I just love meeting people! I come from a large very close-knit family, I have 3 grown up children of my own and many nieces and nephews. I spent years caring and looking after my nieces and nephews, older family members and, during covid, our elderly neighbours & others in our community. I really love taking care of people, whether it's cooking for them, assisting them to run errands or encouraging them to get out on adventures, no matter how big or small. One of my nephews has an intellectual disability and it has been my great joy to help care for him both as a young baby, into childhood and now also as an adult. We have a great time together and enjoy music, coffee, cooking, sport and concerts but some of our favorite times have been just chatting in the car driving between his activities. Spending time with him has taught me so much and, seeing the difference my support has made to my sisters family, has inspired me to become a Social Carer. I believe everyone has the right to feel proud of themselves and accomplished, whether that feeling comes from learning a new skill, enjoying a day out to a loved location (somewhere new!) or just relaxing in the sunshine. I love being able to provide the opportunity for this to happen. Many years ago I was unfortunate to have been involved in an accident that resulted in a temporary but confronting brain injury, but I was also fortunate, because I received the support and care needed when I was at my most vulnerable and frightened. This experience taught me compassion, patience and the importance of being a good listener and a positive influence on those you meet. It has also inspired me to want to give back. One interesting fact about me: in 2018 I was lucky enough to hook up our caravan and travel this wonderful country of ours for 14 months with my family. During this time I got to meet so many people from all walks of life and cultures, whether they were locals or fellow travelers. I was lucky enough to help out some of the remote underprivileged communities we visited, not to mentions see some beautiful places and have experience amazing adventures. This experience taught me more about myself than I ever imagined, about my love for adventure but also for making the most of opportunities and my genuine enjoyment for spending time with and helping others. ^& ^&My interests are many and varied!! I love to find adventures to go on - I LOVE water, either walking along it or playing in it - whether its the beach, a river or a waterfall! I enjoy exercise and being outdoors, but on days when the sun is not shining or I have to stay indoors I love reading, cooking, music and dancing (even though I'm REALLY bad - it still makes me laugh and feel happy!) Because my skills and hobbies are so broad its hard to choose just one, but first I would consider the interests and passions of the community member I am spending time with and plan around that, although a day spent learning one new skill, like a new recipe and then going on an outing, the zoo, botanical gardens, the beach or the Dandenongs is a day well spent in my book! ^&

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Received both doses of COVID-19 vaccination & booster