Carers Week Award

Posted on October 27th, 2016

A Carers Queensland award recognising service above and beyond has been bestowed on CentacareCQ Disability Support Facilitator, Jenny Sweeney.

Carer Tracey Reynolds, Jenny Sweeney from CentacareCQ, and Ross Cook and Jocelyn Wills from Carers Queensland, at the Carer Friendly Business Awards in Rockhampton.

The ‘Great Employee’ Award was presented to Ms Sweeney at the Carer Friendly Business Awards event in Rockhampton during Queensland Carers Week (16-22 October).

More than 200 people were nominated for the regional award, which is for an employee of a service provider who goes the extra mile in helping carers.

Ms Sweeney said she was very proud to have been recognised for her work.

“It’s nice to know you’ve made a difference, not only to the client with a disability, but for the carer who lives with them 24/7,” Ms Sweeney said.

“The support we provide creates a ripple effect – by caring for a client it helps to lessen the burden on the carer – they know their loved one is in good hands and it provides them with some respite and time for themselves.”

Ms Sweeney was nominated for the award by Tracey Reynolds, whose son receives support through CentacareCQ’s Disability Program in Rockhampton.

Ms Reynolds and her husband are both battling cancer and they are carers for their adult son, Sean, who has autism.

Two years ago, Ms Reynolds approached CentacareCQ to provide social support for Sean, and she said it has made a word of difference to the whole family.

“The minute I stepped in to CentacareCQ and met Jenny, I knew I didn’t need to go anywhere else,” Ms Reynolds said.

“Jenny was friendly and welcoming, and has continued to be a great support – arranging social outings for Sean with support workers, offering advice and assistance, and taking my calls when I just need to chat.”

Jocelyn Wills from Carers Queensland presented Ms Sweeney with her award and said the day was about recognising and acknowledging both carers, and their vital support networks.

“There are more than 480,000 unpaid carers in Queensland and many of those carers are working the equivalent of three full time jobs,” Ms Will said.

“Not only is it important that we acknowledge the carers and their hard work, but also those who support them, including organisations like CentacareCQ.”

Carers Queensland is the peak body representing and advocating on behalf of carers throughout Queensland.