Set for a rewarding career in the disability sector, Valon’s passion and determination as a Disability Support Worker was recognised at Multicap’s annual Staff Excellence Awards in November 2021.
Valon won the Most Outstanding Disability Support Worker Award for his remarkable support and noticeable improvements in a customer’s attitude and behaviour during the past six months.
Valon said he enjoys the challenge of the job and loves seeing happiness and independent growth in customers.
“I particularly enjoy working with customers with challenging behaviours. Firstly, we establish a plan and then I focus on putting all my energy into supporting them to make them happy.”
Working previously in security, Valon adds strength, discipline and patience to his Disability Support Worker role in combination with his fun and caring nature to provide the best support to customers.
Valon moved to Melbourne as a refugee from Iran, where his first-born son was born with an extremely rare disability six years ago. Motivated by the love of his child, in 2019 he sought out a career in the disability sector so that he was able to understand and learn how to care for people with disability.
Valon was referred to Multicap by a friend who had completed the Skilling Queenslanders for Work course to obtain a Certificate III in Individual Support. Valon contacted Kate Hanson, SQW Project Manager at Multicap to express interest in enrolling in the course. Unfortunately, Kate was unable to enrol him in the course at that time as it was full however noticing his commitment and dedication, she was able to enrol him in the next round which commenced in July 2020.
“Valon was fiercely determined to achieve a qualification to work in the disability sector. He works hard and it’s obvious to those around him that his heart and soul are in the right place to make others happy,” said Kate.
Valon describes Kate and the friend that referred him to Multicap as two of the most important people in his life for helping him to reach his goal of learning and working in the disability sector.
After he completed the Skilling Queenslanders for Work course, he volunteered at Multicap’s Eight Mile Plains Hub for over six months while working late nights as a security guard before obtaining a casual Disability Support Worker position at Multicap.
Multicap’s Brisbane South Service Manager, Mandeep, said Valon has been a great fit for his customer that he works with four days a week.
“He is friendly and easy-going and it is obvious that he genuinely likes to help others, so naturally he has made a big impression on his customer,” Mandeep said.
Valon echoed this, saying it comes naturally to him.
“I really enjoy establishing a genuine connection with customers on a one-on-one basis and I’m thrilled at the changes I have seen in my customer. For example, she is now preparing her own food before eating, washing up after eating, washing her hands throughout the day, and colouring in, counting and completing puzzles.
“I’m so happy to have received the Most Outstanding Support Worker Award. I try to make the customers happy and if they are happy, so am I,” he said.
Valon illuminates happiness and positivity which is contagious amongst the customers at the Eight Mile Plains Hub. Being on the tall side, many of the customers joke with him and have given him the nickname of ‘Shortie’.
Taking on life’s challenges with passion, Valon is now focused on being able to have holidays so that he can visit his son in Melbourne.
The Skilling Queenslanders for Work project is proudly funded by the Queensland Government.
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Caption: (L-R) Callum Carseldine (Award Sponsor, Technology One), Angela Tillmanns (Multicap Chair), Valon, John Galimore (Multicap Deputy Chair).