White Oak News March 2024

WHITE OAK NEWS

The latest news from White Oak Home Care Services

Happy International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day

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Message from the General Manager Welcome new starters

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White Oak Hub Renovations Hazard for Support Worker

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Villa Dalmacia Update Allied Health Team expansion

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Spotlight On: Kymberly McDonald

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International Women's Day (IWD) was recently celebrated on the 8th March and this year’s theme was Inspire Inclusion. IWD is a global day celebrating the achievements made by women, both small and large From CEOs to pilots and homemakers, women all over the world are constantly working hard, whether at the workplace or at home

It also gives focus to issues such as gender equality and violence and abuse against women It’s an opportunity for us to stop and reflect, imagining a gender equal world, one without discrimination and full of inclusion.

With a predominantly female workforce, we're proud at White Oak to have so many inspirational women who support and empower other women in all their endeavours. A huge thank you to all our female staff at White Oak who are fantastic role models to colleagues, family & friends and the greater community

Photo of the Quarter Competition

Message from the General Manager

Thefirstfewmonthsof2024havebeentypicallyactionpackedwiththeconsolidationofourTransitionCare ProgramandVillaDalmaciadaycentre.It’shardto believewe’realreadyhurtlingtowardsEaster,whatayear it’sbeenforusallsofar Wecontinuetoreceive wonderfulfeedbackfromourclientsanditfillsmewith muchoptimismandpridetocomeacrosssuchpositive commentsonaregularbasis.Ioftencomeacross comments from clients and their respective family members,highlightinghowthehighlevelofservice providedbyourstaffcoupledwithcompassionand companionship demonstrated has been literally life changing to these clients, which is incredibly heartwarmingandencouragingtoread Thankyouto eachandeveryoneofyouforyourhardworkandthe positive,tangibledifferenceyoumaketotheirlives

Pleaseenjoythiseditionofourstaffnewsletteronall thingshappeningwithintheWhiteOakfamilyI’dalso liketotakethisopportunitytowishyouallaverysafe andhappyEaster,whichisnowlessthan2weeksaway!

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Welcome to our new team members who have recently joined the White Oak family We’re thrilled to have you with us!

Daniel Russo

Suzy Yii

Darel Strydom

Peyton Brown

Atitaya Boonchuay (Ice)

Sandra Nikich Martin

Nicole Skehan

Suzanne Wenn

Precious Jerono

We’re searching for people just like you!

We still have positions available for Support Workers (northern suburbs and east / hills, permanent and casual) as well as a HCP Coordinator, which are listed on our website at:

https://www.whiteoak.com.au/care ers/

If you know of anyone – friends or family – that would love to make a difference like you do, we’d love to hear from them! Please let us know and simply ask them to apply for the relevant position listed in the Careers section of our website

Join our Staff Facebook Page

If you’ve recently joined the White Oak family, as a new staff member you may not be aware that we have our very own White Oak staff Facebook Page. A great source of all things happening within the White Oak group, many updates are regularly posted If you’re not already a member, you can join our group by simply heading to:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/whiteoaksta ffinformation

Refreshes for Joondalup and Midland offices

White Oak hubs at Joondalup and Midland were recently treated to an office refresh, which has made the respective spaces feel much brighter, less cluttered and modern The Joondalup office features new ergonomic desks, painting and artwork, while the Midland hub looks fresh with a new green feature wall and furniture.

WORK HAZARD FOR SUPPORT WORKER!

NOPE!

Thank you to all our staff who completed the staff survey that was sent out earlier in the year 84% of employees completed the survey and as promised, we are pleased to share with you some of the findings from this survey

When Support Worker Lois Wiles finished a service at a client’s home in Sawyers Valley, she returned to her car to find a family of very tame and friendly kangaroos hanging around her car The curious mob were content to watch Lois and weren’t willing to move out of the way, resulting in Lois eventually climbing in through the passenger door! Well done Lois on manoeuvring a tricky but hilarious situation!

As we consistently strive to improve as a work place and service provider, we take feedback seriously and include a plann k our perfor emented all, it was i in ng after st yd approach ng a person ovement w m, orm, schedu ess. her details municated u elping us c o gs Your fee ite the best it

Above right: Midland hub

Below right: Joondalup hub

AfundayforallatVilla DalmaciaDayCentre

Our day centre at Villa Dalmacia in Spearwood is in full swing, after White Oak took over management late last year.

Villa Dalmacia offers culturally specific care to clients with predominantly Italian, Croatian and Portuguese heritage and offers these clients to socialise in their native language and continue traditions in the games, meals and conversation.

Open Mondays to Thursdays, the day centre is adjacent to the Villa Dalmacia aged care facility, which is operated by parent company Hall & Prior.

ALLIED HEALTH TEAM EXPANSION

We are thrilled to expand our Allied Health Team with the addition of two new staff members, Occupational Therapist Daniel Russo and Physiotherapist Suzy Yii

The centre is open to not only residents of Villa Dalmacia, but to wider community members that continue to live at home in surrounding suburbs.

This gives elderly people the opportunity to have day out, socialise, make new friends and keep busy with activities A hearty 3-course meal is also provided and a shuttle bus offers pick up and drop off for people living at home in surrounding areas

We understand that people living in their own homes can more easily become socially isolated, so providing a setting where social interaction and activities is a fantastic way to keep living well and independently while having a day out

A recent visit to the centre gave us the opportunity to meet with some of the members, who all commented on how much they love the food offered, socialising with their new friends and games on offer – especially Bingo!

Both full time and based at our Scarborough hub, Daniel and Suzy will join Occupational Therapist Emily Lindsay and Physiotherapist Madeleine Buck, and will no doubt be fantastic assets to our Allied Health Team Welcome Daniel and Suzy!

We wish all of our team members born this month the happiest of birthdays.

SPOTLIGHT ON...

Kymberly McDonald Business Operations Manager

Kymberly recently joined the management team at White Oak and has hit the ground running with so much happening within the company like our TCP program, day centre, new starters and much more! Welcome Kymberly, we are so happy you’re part of the White Oak family

When did you commence work at White Oak? 20th November 2023

Describe some of the things you do in your current role

I am responsible for supporting White Oak in all corporate operations, such as compliance, revenue, development, engagement, program management and leadership.

Can you tell us what do you enjoy most about working at White Oak?

The variety, no day is ever the same! But more than that, the people I work with, all of which have beautiful hearts doing the best they can for our beautiful clients.

What do you like about our company culture?

How family focused White Oak is

What is your favourite hobby?

Paddle boarding

Are you a tea or coffee person?

Tea

If you could travel anywhere, where would you go and why?

Route 66, I love a road trip!

Photo of the Quarter Competition

We received another great round of entries this quarter and choosing a winner was certainly no easy task! After much deliberation, we have a winner.

Congratulations to Support Worker Tammy Smith for her gorgeous photo of the kids enjoying a fireworks display on the beach. Tammy, 2 x Gold Class movie tickets will be coming your way.

Until our next edition in June, you have plenty of time to send your winning photo to Alison Visser, Communications and Engagement Manager at alison.visser@whiteoak.com.au.