The Salvation Army Aged Care’s Post

Keep asking us if we have self care strategies…but I’ll still advocate for community care and the care of social service workers to be a government and organisational responsibility.  While this article highlights young people, I have been studying the Master’s degree alongside a lot of older students who, like myself, have entered another field of work and decided to step into social work. Some of these students are renting, some are parents, but one things seems to be a commonality - the challenge of the looming dreaded unpaid placements. I continue to hear conversation in the social sector in regards to “diversifying the workforce” and ensuring inclusion, frankly, at current and quite ironically going to University to work in the social service field is viewed as a privilege. In some ways it is, I am grateful to be studying, but in no way should it be this difficult for students financially. Add to that other social barriers and stressors in people’s lives, I fear we aren’t allowing for inclusion of people facing those other extra barriers. As a student of Melbourne Uni I still hear the stereotypes and assumptions about my upbringing, my socioeconomic status and the kind of social worker I will be. I sometimes wonder if that is their assumption, what they think of others based purely on appearance and where they studied and there’s a pang of anger, especially for those of us with lived experience of adversity and navigating systems, what someone looks like is a fraction of our story. Exclusion, quite honestly of any group, is not the way to move towards inclusion, and yet it happens and is perpetuated by the groups that I look like, all while genuine and authentic inclusion strategies and reflections on power dynamics, as well as whose voice/story is the loudest in the room are overlooked.  If we are to move towards inclusion being able to enter the social service field in the first place and being able to choose education needs to be far more accessible financially for people at all life stages with a focus on reducing assumptions about someone’s socioeconomic status. I don’t think I’ve met any social worker, nurse or any other social service worker enter this field for the money. https://lnkd.in/gbQxR_nu

Did you know that the employment of workers aged 65 or older has grown by a staggering 117% in just 20 years? And that's not all – recent research shows that many occupations have become more "age-friendly" since 1990, requiring less strenuous work. As retirement plans evolve and older adults remain healthier and more active than ever before, the world of work is changing. Naborforce is leading the way for older adults in the workforce with their latest initiative: the Golden Interns Program. This paid program is specifically designed for active retirees, offering them the opportunity to re-enter the workforce and contribute their invaluable skills and expertise. This year, they welcomed two incredible Golden Interns – one aged 70 and another aged 81. Naborforce is committed to supporting individuals seeking to return to work after a hiatus, whether due to caregiving responsibilities, personal reasons, or retirement. They join a small yet growing list of companies offering mid- and late-career returnship programs, providing a supportive pathway back into the workforce. Congrats to Paige and her team! We’re proud to back such an important mission. Check out the full article here: https://lnkd.in/eiJn9sJY And here is a list of other companies offering returnship programs: https://lnkd.in/eFAD4ZAP #ReturnToWork #AgeFriendlyEmployment 

When it's time for organizations to renew their B Corp Certification, 63% increased their impact score. So we're in good company. If you ask us about B Corp, we'll tell you how proud of our recent accomplishments like: ✅ Being invited and attending BLab's racial impact improvement pilot ✅ Increasing our paid parental leave for both parents But we'll get even more excited when we tell you what we are working on to keep progressing—even after we get re-certified. For example, Amanda Breen is championing new ways to improve the percentage of dollars spent with diverse or local vendors. Supporting our local community of businesses and vendors is so important to us, and the investment always pays off. We always look for new ways to grow our impact. #BCorpMonth #BCorp

Thanks for sharing your story Simon! Getting the balance right between work and parenting is so important. In this article, Simon Caughey-Rogers talks about his career journey and how he strikes the right balance as primary caregiver to two school-age children. #IWork4EM #TeamEM #Parenting Simon Caughey-Rogers

Can you imagine the pressure of knowing you're just a week away from financial instability? Recent insights by MetLife UK have unveiled a stark reality for UK's working parents, with 22% confessing they couldn't endure beyond a week without pay if their child required care for illness or injury. In our line of work at First 4 Recruitment Ltd understanding the challenges faced by our extraordinary talent pool is paramount. We're mindful of the diverse life situations of our candidates and are committed to supporting them, just as they dedicate their skills and energy to the workplaces we connect them with. But here's a silver lining - innovations like MetLife UK's ChildShield are stepping in to offer some solace, providing that critical financial buffer for families in need. It's a reminder of the essential role of supportive measures in our fast-paced employment landscape. As specialists in crafting careers and champions of work-life balance, let's dialogue on this. How do we, as employers, recruitment professionals and colleagues, further support working parents? 🤔 #WorkingParents #FinancialSupport #FamilyFirst

I don't know what's crazier 🫠 than FY23/24 where I've experienced first hand what 5 resignations, 4 events, 3 hirings, 2 staff on paternity leave, the ever increasing workload and "taking" on the lead feels like. Pretty much like what Tyla would say, "Make me sweat, make me hotter. Make me lose my breathe, make me WATER." It's that time of the year too for, you guessed it, the Employee Performance Appraisal (EPA) 🎯. As I reflect and plan for the next, seems like volunteering is the wtg kinda like chicken soup for the soul. Other than for my dear son's swim safer school program, I've signed up to volunteer and mentor youths for the HealthStart community program for seniors by TriGen@SGH (https://lnkd.in/g84ihRtG). The Master of Science program is underway, still gotta "lead" the new team and with my 4 sons as the 🍒 on top, #gamestrong just sayin 🤣. With that, I leave ya'all with this. "Be like WATER making its way through cracks. Do not be assertive, but adjust to the object, and you shall find a way around or through it. If nothing within you stays rigid, outward things will disclose themselves. Empty your mind, be formless. Shapeless, like WATER. If you put WATER into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put WATER into a bottle and it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now, WATER can flow or it can crash. Be WATER, my friend." - Bruce Lee

Is it possible for both parents to have “demanding” jobs? This week, my daughter’s been off pre-school due to a nasty cough and fever. My wife and I have had to juggle childcare with work. We’re lucky to be able to work from home. But it got me thinking about how we manage work and home life with both of us having busy jobs. Our roles involve meeting lots of people in person, which isn’t possible from home. Having an unexpectedly sick child can be stressful, but it’s also an opportunity to slow down and be more present at home. On the bright side, I’ve spent time colouring in unicorn pictures, building block houses, and hosting princess tea parties. These moments have been lovely quality time with my daughter that I wouldn’t usually get in the week and even on a busy weekend of ballet, back to back (children’s) parties, life admin etc. Both my wife and I are ambitious and at important stages of our careers. We need two incomes to cover mortgages, bills, food, and the cost of living—something one income could cover in the past. There have been times when one of our careers was less demanding than the others, but now, both are equally challenging. I appreciate the flexibility we have and the teamwork it takes to balance our careers and family life. In today’s world, where two incomes are often necessary, it’s all about finding a balance between our jobs and being there for our families. It’s a challenge, but also a rewarding journey.

In my journey as a counselor, I’ve had the privilege of meeting a wide array of beautiful souls, each with their unique challenges and stories. One observation that often comes to light is how our upbringing and the environment we grow in play pivotal roles in shaping our perspectives and aspirations. It’s heart wrenching to see individuals who, due to no fault of their own, were not provided with the nurturing environment necessary to foster growth, ambition, and an open minded perspective towards life. Many have been limited by circumstances that were shaped long before they had a choice or a voice, including the absence of adequate parenting, guidance, or simply the exposure to broader horizons. These conditions can inadvertently encourage a mindset that might seem ‘small-minded’ to some, focused on immediate survival rather than long-term goals, possibly leading to a reliance on state welfare as a means of getting by. It’s crucial to remember, however, that these choices and perspectives are often born out of necessity rather than preference. As a community, it’s our shared responsibility to extend empathy, support, and understanding to everyone. Recognizing that some individuals’ choices and views might be deeply influenced by their early life experiences is the first step towards fostering a more inclusive and supportive environment. Let’s commit ourselves to be the mentors, the friends, and the family that some never had. By offering our empathy, our time, and our resources, we can open doors to new perspectives and opportunities for those who have been conditioned to believe they have none. It’s about lifting each other up, encouraging personal growth, and, most importantly, understanding that every individual’s journey is unique and deserving of respect. Together, we can create a community that values growth, open-mindedness, and mutual support, making it a priority to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to envision and work towards a future filled with purpose and joy. #CommunitySupport #EmpathyInAction #GrowthMindset

You know that service triangle of 'speed, quality, cost' - Where you can only have two elements and have to neglect the third? Being a mother of young children is a lot like that. You have three elements and you can only really have two. I've experienced first hand how having kids holds you back. Not successful in promotions or job applications because I can't commit to a physical 9-5 sat in the office. A friend had the exact same this week. Literally told she cannot have a promotion unless she was more 'visible' in the office. Despite all of her team actively praising her support and management style which has helped them progress endlessly. KPIs all met. Performance fantastic all round. Promotion? Off the table because she wants to spend quality time with her child (well, as quality as 1.5 hours at the end of the day can be) and not be stuck on a train missing dinner, bed and bonding time instead. Many would advise she moves job. Not that easy I'm afraid. Especially in such a competitive landscape. She also actually enjoys her job and company. But this news has made her weigh up her options... The bitter amongst us come out with the 'well don't have kids then if you're just going to complain about it' Funny how when a dad publishes the same type of post online he gets endless praise and none of that pathetic malarkey being spouted in the comment section. Instead he's a hero for going to work or footing the bill for childcare. I've had to forgoe my social life for the time being to make sure I spend time with my kids and can commit to my job. Which does have fantastic flexibility to work around nursery pick up and bed time. One day we can have it all again. But that's not before a 10year (according to some studies) delay in career progression first apparently.