I have been with AFC since 2010 when I was employed as a Supervisor/Social Worker in the South Otago team. With extra contracts to manage, my role changed to fulltime Team Leader, including a couple of years as a Rural Team Leader for both the South and Central Otago teams. In 2019 I was privileged to take-up my current role as Practice Manager where I oversee practice across the organisation. Prior to working at AFC I had 13 years as a care and protection social worker at Child Youth and Family.
I was inspired to become a social worker when I was a Support Clerk at Child Youth and Family. I have always found it incredibly frustrating when people don’t get a fair go in life, and I could see the Social Work profession was an amazing vehicle for creating change. Child Youth and Family were supportive at the time in helping me study for my qualifications while working part time and raising my family.
The opportunity we have every day to make a positive difference to our community by partnering with whānau. We are able to work at the ‘top of the cliff’ which is an incredibly privileged space to be in. The work our staff do is amazing, we understand that strong working relationships are at the heart of change, so we prioritize building transparent, open relationships with our whānau. I enjoy reading client evaluations and client stories which regularly affirm to me we are on the right track.
Spending time with family, walking our dog, volunteering at a community garden, pottering around listening to podcasts. My newest hobby is flower arranging!