DISABILITY support worker, Teghan Henderson, won the CFA Volunteer Excellence Award at the recent Victorian Young Achiever Awards at Flemington.<\/p>\n
Alongside working full time at Pinarc Disability Support, Miss Henderson volunteers through its Interchange Program, looking after two girls with special needs that she met while running Pinarc\u2019s school holiday program.<\/p>\n
Nine-year-old Skye lives with a rare genetic syndrome, Sanfilippo, and 12-year-old Jade has autism. Miss Henderson frequently volunteers to care for the two girls, and their individual needs, at their houses, or offers respite for their families by hosting them in her own home.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf they come to my house, there\u2019s my family as well. My mum, dad and three brothers,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey get to see what I do and who I work with, and the connection that my family has with the girls is really good too.\u201d<\/p>\n
Miss Henderson grew up alongside relatives with disabilities, and this influenced her pathway to disability support, joining Pinarc five years ago.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have a cousin that\u2019s autistic and then another one that\u2019s in a wheelchair, so I think them being a part of our family gave me a better understanding and I wanted to help people,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
The 22-year-old was shocked to receive the Volunteer Excellence Award, having been nominated by Pinarc\u2019s CEO, Marianne Hubbard because of her positive connection to clients, her commitment and time investment.<\/p>\n
\u201cAt the awards night, I had no idea that I was going to win. I did not expect it at all,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a bit nerve-wracking getting up in front of everyone, but it was rewarding to be recognised.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great that we have programs that can do this for families, but I definitely don\u2019t do it for the awards. I do it for the love of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many people in Ballarat with special needs are on the waiting list for the Interchange Program and Miss Henderson encourages those willing to provide respite to contact Pinarc on 5329 1398.<\/p>\n
The Young Achiever Awards celebrate the leadership, vision, excellence and commitment of young people, up to the age of 29, in our local communities.<\/p>\n
As part of the award Miss Henderson was presented with a trophy, $1000 into a Bank of Melbourne account and a $1000 Bartercard account from Wheelton Philanthropy and Budget Rent A Car.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
DISABILITY support worker, Teghan Henderson, won the CFA Volunteer Excellence Award at the recent Victorian Young Achiever Awards at Flemington. Alongside working full time at Pinarc Disability Support, Miss Henderson volunteers through its Interchange Program, looking after two girls with special needs that she met while running Pinarc\u2019s school holiday program. Nine-year-old Skye lives with […]<\/p>\n