Debbie spent the past 16 and a half years working in a residential care organization. When the CEO retired, she saw it as the perfect opportunity to make a change. The moment she met our General Manager, Christine, she knew Care On Call was the right fit, as our values resonated with hers, so she made the jump to our new Hamilton office.
The transition has been a busy yet rewarding journey for Debbie. In her first few weeks, she has immersed herself in our policies and procedures while networking with local funders, NASCs, and the DHB. Although she’s new to Care On Call, she’s a lifelong resident of Waikato. Her deep familiarity with the people and places of the region makes her exceptionally well-equipped to support our community.
What makes Debbie passionate about her job is the connection and face-to-face communication and making a real difference in people’s lives. Having been in this field for a quarter of her life, she knows she is where she's supposed to be. She is dedicated to understanding the full story of each tangata she cares for in Hamilton; this commitment allows her to provide the best possible support, which she finds incredibly rewarding.
In her spare time, Debbie is part of a Kapa Haka Rōopū, spending time with her community and singing Waiata. She is also very family-oriented, cherishing the extra time she now has on weekends to spend with her mokopuna. Transitioning from working seven days a week in her previous role, she now values her weekend time to connect with her whānau.
Debbie wants our local support workers to know they can feel free to pop in and meet her. She’s always ready to put the jug on and have a kōrero. She says she’s looking at setting up regular invitations for support workers to come into the office, socialise, and spend time together as a team, so she can get to know her team and therefore be better equipped to support them.
We’re thrilled to have Debbie on board and look forward to the positive impact she will have on our community. Stay tuned as we continue to introduce the friendly faces serving the Waikato region!