Griffith chose May, and she’s happy about that!

When May Howard moved to Australia 11 years ago, she didn’t really know where Griffith was. May and her husband Rory decided to move from South Africa to be closer to family in Perth, not really understanding Australia’s geography.

“We came from South Africa because our country, unfortunately, is not in a good place and we thought it's the time for us to move while we could still come and work, explore a new lifestyle, new things.

“The plan was to move closer to Perth, but I never knew Griffith was that far from Perth! I always say Griffith picked us, we didn't pick Griffith, but now that I'm here I will not leave.”

May came to work at Forrest Community Services in Griffith in August 2023 after nine years working at a residential aged care facility in town followed by a very brief retirement.

“I'd been at an aged care home working in the kitchen cooking and cleaning. It is hard work, and it was getting to be too much for me, so I thought I’d retire. Then after six weeks I realised I'm not ready for that – you can only do so much gardening, cleaning, crafting, having coffee, and watching TV!

“I need to be busy. I need to stimulate myself and my mind. I'm not ready to sit on my veranda and crochet. It will come, but not yet. That's how I ended up at Forrest.”

For May, working with our at-home care customers is a much better fit than her previous jobs.

“Working in an aged care facility is so different from working out in the community and I love working in the community. To me, it's wonderful to meet people, to engage with them, to help them, to hear their life stories. To me, quality aged care is about listening and giving every customer the best care that you can. And they deserve the best.

“I was going to work only two or three days a week, but I’ve ended up full-time again which is not a problem because to me it's a pleasure. The compassion that I feel working with the clients… I should have done it years ago!”

To anyone considering working in at-home aged care, May says, “Do it immediately.”

“Everyone at Forrest Community Services is very friendly and very helpful. Honestly, from the front desk right up to management, the staff here care and we get on well and that means a lot. That's very important because you get your days where you need someone to lift you up a bit and they do that.

“And words can’t describe the satisfaction of the service that you've given. It’s rewarding, heartwarming work and it soothes the soul. And I think it's because not many years from now I might need the same, when hopefully someone is there for me in the same way. That's how I see it.”