Lynne is often travelling for work and since joining Hireup, has made connections all across Australia.
Knowing the value a local support worker can bring, waiting at her destination is usually a support worker she's found on the Hireup platform. Rather than taking one of her regular support workers from her hometown of Geelong, Lynne connects with workers at the place she's travelling to.
We chatted to Lynne to discover her tips for connecting with workers while travelling.
On your travels you’ve connected with Hireup support workers in locations other than your hometown. How do you connect with those workers?
First of all, I check to see how many [workers] are in the area I am travelling to. I’ll post a job saying I am looking for someone for personal care from such and such date. And when I see on the platform they are interested, I will contact them. Sometimes I do message workers directly from the Hireup platform without putting a job up.
What helps you decide which support worker is right for you?
I do go into their [worker] profile and check out what they’ve posted about themselves...and their profile photo. If they seem to fit what I like in a support person, I contact them through Hireup messages.
What does good support mean to you?
A good support worker really needs to have something in common [with me]. For example, I love my garden and yes, I can't weed or maintain it but one of my girls [support workers] will say ‘Oh your stocks are coming in flower.’ You really need something in common: cooking, books, or some sort of hobby.
You’ve stayed connected with lots of the workers. How have you maintained those relationships?
I have stayed connected by phone and Facebook or just on the Hireup message board. It's nice to connect if I am travelling to their area again.
I guess I treat them as friends. Yes, they are helping me but you do form a friendship with them, we exchange numbers. Sometimes they are running late to the shift, and they just text message me to say ‘sorry but I will be 10 minutes late.’ And yes I might say to them, “Alex - my husband - and I are going out for tea tonight. Is it possible to come around 8.30pm?”, but we’ll text when leaving the venue.
Have a trip booked this holidays? Get in touch with our team for any assistance booking in supports for your travels. Send us an email at hello@hireup.com.au or call us on (02) 9113 5933.
