My Story
My interest in supporting people with disabilities actually started when I was a teenager. I did work experience at a disability centre and school and enjoyed it so much that I went back and volunteered there afterwards. It was something I always found very rewarding, and it stayed with me throughout my life.
Many years later, my closest friend, who has had MS for over 20 years, became another very important part of that journey. Throughout our long friendship I have done as much as I possibly can to help her maintain her independence and lifestyle. I also provided care and assistance to my 94-year-old grandmother before her passing in March 2020. She was a very social and independent woman, but in her later years started needing some extra help to maintain that independence.
These experiences, along with a couple of other people in my life, eventually inspired me to start Friends Who Care and help others.
Friends Who Care has now been providing disability support for over 8 years. We have a team of experienced support workers providing community access, in-home support, personal care, respite, disability transport and practical day-to-day assistance across Melbourne's Outer East and South East.
For me, good support starts with getting to know the person. I want to know what matters to them, what they enjoy, what they find difficult and what they actually want help with. Just as importantly, I want to find a support worker they genuinely feel comfortable with.
I spend a lot of time talking with clients, families and support coordinators and getting the match right. Sometimes that means trying someone and deciding they aren't quite the right fit — and that's okay. I would much rather keep looking than simply send whoever is available.
Friends Who Care has grown considerably over the years, but that part has never changed. I still want people to feel that we know who they are, that they can pick up the phone and talk to us, and that the support they receive actually makes a difference to their everyday life.
Michelle
My Hobbies: Being Grammy to Jordan, spending time with family, meeting new people, going out for lunch, relaxing in the spa, live music, crafts and I LOVE CATS (and dogs!).
Our Team
Our support workers are located throughout Melbourne's eastern and south-eastern suburbs. See the areas we service.
Liz
Experienced and compassionate, Liz empowers individuals to build confidence, independence and joy every day.
Liz is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Selby
Peter
After working in the field for 6 years, you know Peter is experienced and ready to help with all your needs! During this time he has supported people in the community with leisure outings, appointments, shopping, help around the home and fun things like going out for coffee and a chat. Most of all, his personality and commitment to caring shine through.
Peter owns a Kelpie named Luna who keeps him very fit. He regularly visits the dog park, where Luna loves playing with the other dogs and Peter enjoys chatting with their owners.
Peter is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Forest hill
Marie
Someone who always has a smile on her face. Marie has always gravitated to roles around supporting people!
Marie is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Woori Yallock
Edna
Edna, is FUN !!, friendly, and bubbly. She is following her brother into the Friends Who Care team.
Edna is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Wantirna South
Linda
Linda is a kind and patient person who loves listening to people. Do you have some fun stories for Linda?
Linda is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport, house cleaning and In home care.
Location: Upwey
Sestilia
Motivated, caring and loads of experience! Ses is ready to go and get together to find out how she can help you!
Ses is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep and In home care.
Location: Rowville
Kate
Kind and patient is how we think of Kate! She's calm and full of life to get you out in the community!
Kate is available for Social & Community Outings, transportation and In home care
Location: Boronia
Britney
With plenty of experience, this quirky nerd is always up for trying new things and meeting new people!
Britney is available for: Social & Community Outings , Decluttering, Transport & In Home Care
Location: Mooroolbark
Kerrin
Kerrin loves nothing more than puttering around the house with her family and dog.
Kerrin is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep and In home care.
Location: Ferntree Gully
Sian
Sian has finally decided to follow her passion and help people! We are thankful her career change has led her to us!
Sian is available for : Social & Community Access, in home care , Decluttering and Meal prep.
Location: Patterson Lakes
Narelle
Narelle is easy breezy when it comes to life. With experience in Aged Care she is ready to start helping the FWC team!
Narelle is available for : Social & Community Outings, Decluttering, In Home Care & House Cleaning
Location: Ferntree Gully
Harry
As an Ex-Primary School Teacher he has spent his life working with kids of all ages.
Harry is available for: Social & Community Access , Decluttering as well as Gardening
Location: Upwey
Brooke
Brooke is all stuff arts, crafts and outdoor activities! She's cool, calm and collected.
Brooke is available for : Social and community access & cleaning
Location: Upper Ferntree Gully
Silvia
Silvia loves working with people and animals. She loves nothing more than a good chat. You're in good hands.
Silvia is available for : House cleaning
Location: Carrum Downs
Shey
She loves socialising with close friends and enjoying good coffee and food together.
Shey is available for : Social & Community Access , Decluttering , In-home support, Meal prep and cleaning.
Location: Croydon
Peter
Peter is all things fitness, nature and photography! why not get a coffee with him and take some snaps!
Peter is available for : Social & Community Access , Decluttering, Gardening
Location: Toorak
Jemma
With a love for youth work, Jemma creates supportive spaces filled with growth, confidence and laughter.
Jemma is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Officer
Louise
A super fun and caring mum of 3 beautiful kids, Louise is sure to brighten your day and help lighten your load.
Louise is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Montrose
Rob
Feel like you have seen Rob before? maybe you have in a local theatre or on your TV screen! An actor in his past life!
Rob is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Ferntree Gully
Kerry
Kerry is bubbly, friendly and ready to meet you! It's shocking its taken this long for her to come on board!
Kerry is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Berwick
Kaz
Kaz is a friendly easy going person that has a good ear to listen & empathy for others. Can she brighten your day!?
Kaz is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport, house cleaning and In home care.
Location: Rowville
Jim
Easy going and a great sense of humour. Jim is loaded with experience to help you get out and about!
Jim is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep and In home care.
Location: Cockatoo & St Kilda
Ryan K
While Ryan might be new to support work, he is very keen to start working with people and help them achieve their goals!
Ryan is available for: Social & Community Outings , Decluttering, Transport & In Home Care
Location: Mooroolbark
Ally
Ally has spent the last few years working on her family farm and is ready to get back to work helping people!
Ally is available for: Social & Community Outings , Decluttering, Transport, Meal Prep and House Cleaning
Location: Yellingbo
Melinda
If you love Disney or have always wanted to sew or do any type of craft Melinda is the one for you.
Melinda is available for: Social & Community Outings , Decluttering and House Cleaning
Location: Cranbourne
Deanne
With 15 Years experience working with children in Primary schools Deanne has done the rounds!
Deanne is available for : Social & Community Outings, transport and At home Care.
Location: Emerald
Crissy
Chrissy has a certain spark about her that will endear her to all who meet her.
Chrissy is available for : Social & Community Access , Decluttering, House Cleaning and Meal Prep
Location: Chirnside Park
Ryan
Ryan is a laid back guy and a former swim teacher. He has had years of experience working with kids.
Ryan is available for : Social & Community Outings , Decluttering and Gardening
Location: Mitcham
Liam
Liam is a relaxed, fun-loving and easy going individual, who is eager to learn and try new things
Liam is available for : Social & Community Access, transportation and Decluttering
Location: Officer South
Cass
Cass loves reading, listening to music, travelling, the beach and catching up with friends.
Cass is available for: Social &Community Access , Decluttering
Location: Ferntree Gully
Tammy
Tammy will be a breath of fresh air in your life. She has a wonderful caring down to earth nature.
Tammy is available for : Social & Community Access , Decluttering , In-home support and cleaning.
Location: Croydon
Barb
After a rich life in childcare and volunteering in the community, Barb is going to be a natural at Support work!
Barb is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, Transport, Cleaning and In home care.
Location: Lilydale
Isaiah
With a vast range of interests and experience Isaiah is able to connect and help almost anyone!
Isaiah is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Lilydale
Alannah
Passionate about volunteering, Alannah loves to get out into the community and help out where needed.
Alannah is available for : Social & Community Outings , Decluttering and Meal Prep
Location: Bayswater
Taylor
A busy mum of 3 Taylor loves getting out and about and helping people. She is loads of fun to be around!
Taylor is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Ferntree Gully
Bec
Bec is ready to step up and help her community! She's fun, active and full of life! What can she help you with!?
Bec is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, transport and In home care.
Location: Narre Warren North
Rosco
Rosco decided it was time to act on his passion for helping people! Rosco will leave no stone unturned.
Rosco is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep, cleaning, gardening, transport and In home care.
Location: Croydon North
Sharyn
Friendly, compassionate and a ball of laughs! You will have a great time out in the community with Sharyn!
Sharyn is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep and In home care.
Location: The Basin
Jenna
Jenna is wanting work where she feels like she is helping someone and giving back to the community.
Jenna is available for Social & Community Outings, Meal prep and In home care.
Location: Mooroolbark
Wilma
A gentle soul who loves making friends and getting out into the community with friends
Wilma is available for Social & Community Outings and In home care.
Location: Mooroolbark
Courtney
From Disney movies to AFL Courtney has a range of interests she'd be happy to chat about!
Courtney is available for: Social & Community Outings , Decluttering, Transport and Meal Prep
Location: Kilsyth
Lindy
Lindy is a mad cat lady with a heart of gold and lots of experience. She will surely be able to brighten your day!
Lindy is available for: Social & Community Access , Decluttering, in home Care and meal prep
Location: Mooroolbark
Daniel
With a longgggg history working in Disability, Daniel has jumped head first into the FWC Team!
Daniel is available for: Social & Community Outings, In home care
Location: Ferntree Gully
Cathy
Cathy is a gentle and caring person who loves caring for people. She is full of positive fun energy!
Cathy is available for : Social & Community Outings , Decluttering & House Cleaning
Location: Emerald
Crystal
Crystal has experience with people of all ages and is dedicated to making a positive impact on people's lives!
Crystal is available for Social & Community Access, home care, cleaning
Location: Yarra Valley
Vesna
Vesna is fun and full of life. She is always up for an adventure or out for a nice meal.
Vesna has six years experience as a support worker , and has proven to be an amazing support for her clients. She is so good at organising , so if you need someone to help you get organised she is your person !
Vesna has two now adult children
Vesna is available for : Social & Community Outings , Decluttering And in home care
Location: Bayswater
Erme
Erme is a kind, creative and a patient busy mother of three grown children!
Erme is available for : Social and Community access , Decluttering and Meal Prep
Location: Chirnside Park
The FWC office team!
Kerri
Vesna
Kelly
Lisa
