“Now he runs to the door and signs ‘friend’ when she gets there…” says Jennifer, Oscar’s mother.
Naomi Mellor was nominated for a Hireup Good Life Award for her dedicated assistance in supporting Oscar with his speech therapy goals. “I've just been so impressed with Naomi’s effort,” says Jennifer. “Since meeting Oscar, Naomi has learnt all of his [Auslan] signs - which is over 300 signs - and Oscar really engages with her because she's spent the time following his lead and getting to know him.”
Jennifer says she knew that Naomi was the perfect fit for Oscar from their first meeting. “I had about 35 responses to my ad on the Hireup job board and from Naomi’s reply I could tell immediately that for her it was going to be about Oscar. I mentioned in my job post that I was looking for someone who knew [Auslan] signs. Naomi responded saying ‘with the help of Oscar, I would love to learn signs,’ which really stuck with me.”
Naomi has worked with children in multiple roles including: childcare, schools and early intervention but moved to Hireup with an interest to provide one to one support. “I wanted to give a little bit more and spend more time working with individuals,” says Naomi. “I receive a lot of praise from Oscar’s mum but I just feel really lucky as they’re such a beautiful family to work for.”
Naomi credits her Good Life Award nomination to her experience and aptitude for working with children. “I’ve always enjoyed and had a strong interest in working with kids,” says Naomi. “It’s a really natural area for me and a strength of mine.”
Jennifer says Naomi goes above and beyond implementing Oscar’s speech therapy plan and working towards his therapy goals. “Every week she works with Oscar’s speech therapist to know what to work on with him,” says Jennifer. “It would be easier for her to just come and play with him, but Naomi takes it really seriously, working on Oscar’s speech activity.”
Oscar and Naomi have a strong bond and a connection recognised by Naomi’s Good Life Award nomination. “It’s different when it’s your mum asking you to do something,'' explains Jennifer. “He’ll just push me away but with Naomi he really engages with her, and these days he runs to the door when she arrives and signs ‘friend’.”
