After living in country New South Wales, Rosemary Liu moved back to Sydney and took a job where she hosted people with dementia in her home – effectively running a day-care program for four clients. During this time, Rosemary expanded her knowledge and experience with people living with dementia.

Previously a nurse, Rosemary soon added qualifications in community welfare which required a work placement. She undertook the placement with SCS (then Hunters Hill-Ryde Community Services) and, luckily for SCS and clients, she stayed on as Carer Support Coordinator. She maintained half a dozen carer groups before the Federal Government earlier this year launched the online ‘Carers’ Gateway’ and outsourced support to the Benevolent Society which helps carers’ groups in northern Sydney suburbs to make the most of the online system.

“I enjoy helping people, listening to their stories, and matching them with staff who have common interests,” says Rosemary.

“For example, we have NDIS participants who wanted to learn how to cook and one of our staff loves cooking – so that’s a great match. Another participant wanted to learn tennis and a staff member here loves tennis: they have been having one-on-one tennis lessons for  more than a year now.”

Based in our Hunters Hill Office, Rosemary has worked for SCS for a decade. As well as cultivating one-on-one support for people with disabilities, she has developed and expanded a Flexible Respite program for over 65-year-olds so that SCS can give more support to seniors who work hard and need a break from their caring role.

If you’re interested in finding out more about flexible respite for over 65s or one-on-one support for people living with a disability, please contact Rosemary on 8598 7051 or rliu@sydneycs.org

The new Carers’ Gateway system is available at http://www.carergateway.gov.au  or calling 1800 422 737. The Benevolent Society explains its role and the Carers’ Gateway   here.