Aled knows disability support from both sides. When his story was first published in October 2024, he had moved from receiving support through Vana Care to working as a support worker himself.
He had come to Vana Care living with autism and other diagnoses, finding parts of everyday life difficult. “Honestly, before I received support, I’ll say that I was adrift… It’s no wonder why everything has always felt so much harder for me than most people could understand.”
Finding people he felt comfortable with
Aled was matched with Ruby and Alex. They took time to understand what he wanted to do, including his interest in sport.
“Ruby and Alex saw the qualities in me that other people in my life didn’t see,” he said.
His support included gym visits, routines around fitness and nutrition, and trying rock climbing. He also made new social connections. These were activities Aled wanted in his life, with support to take part.
Shared interests can give people something easy to talk about. A suitable worker also needs the skills and availability for the support involved. Both matter when planning a worker match.
Becoming a support worker
Aled later chose to work in support himself. His experience of receiving support gave him a perspective he could bring to the role, alongside the screening, training and skills the work requires.
The original story also described his placement with an aged care provider, where he supported people living with dementia. Spending time together and helping someone enjoy their day mattered to him.
Lived experience can be useful in support work. It doesn’t mean every participant should want this career, or that someone needs to have received support to do the job well.
Considering the work yourself?
If you’re interested in a support role, think about how you listen, respect someone’s choices and respond when something is unfamiliar. Be honest about the training and supervision you need.
Our careers information explains how to apply. You can also read about qualifications and checks in South Australia.
If you’re looking for support for yourself, Aled’s story may give you some questions to ask. What would you like to spend more time doing? Who do you feel comfortable with? What would help you get started? You can bring those questions to a conversation with our team.
