Support Worker Festival allows opportunities for support workers

In June Northcott Innovation, with funding from the Department of Social Services, piloted the first of their kind Support Worker Festivals in Campbelltown and Tamworth. The events were specially designed by Disability Support Workers for Disability Support Workers.

What is the NI Support Worker Festival?

The NI Support Worker Festival was designed to invigorate, educate and allow networking opportunities for Disability Support Workers.

The primary goal of the event were to show Disability Support Workers how valuable they are, celebrate their hard work and personal input. It was also created to give them opportunities to learn and allow them to network with other Disability Support Workers.

When asked about creating this event, Executive Director Northcott Innovation Sam said that she hoped that Disability Support Workers felt valued and celebrated because they’re doing an amazing job.

She explained, “We think there should be more opportunities for the sector to get behind Disability Support Workers to celebrate and respect their role”.

The events were also an opportunity for Disability Support Workers to learn something new. Through the range of presentations at the festival they could learn like a different skill or a new strategy.

Some of the topics discussed at the event were advice around supporting safe and fulfilling relationships with your customers, learning different ways to communicate with all people and the pros and cons of working as a sole trader versus working for a large organisation.

The importance of connecting

The events also created a space where Disability Support Workers could connect with each other, share stories and meet other Disability Support Workers from Northcott or from outside of Northcott.

“Our research showed that some Disability Support Workers are simply not connected at all to other Disability Support Workers. That can be quite isolating. These events gave us a chance to connect those workers with other workers. It also allows them to meet and share their experiences with each other”, said Sam.

At the Tamworth Festival, we asked Northcott Support Worker Julia what she thought about the event. “What a great event! Thank you for all your support and providing Tamworth with this wonderful opportunity!” said Julia. Another Disability Support Worker who attended the Tamworth event travelled 4.5 hours to be there. “It’s the best decision I’ve made in weeks coming here. I’ve learned so much!” she said.