Celebrating 25 years of service: Jodie's journey of heart, purpose and impact

When Jodie Skipper joined Churches of Christ 25 years ago, she never imagined she'd still be here a quarter of a century later.

After resigning from her previous role to care for her father during a difficult time in her life, Jodie found herself applying for a diversional therapist position at Gracehaven Aged Care in Bundaberg.

"I have never looked back," she says.

From the moment she started, Jodie knew she had found something special.

"I remember feeling privileged to be able to do a role that I was so passionate about,” she said.

That passion for supporting others has been the constant thread throughout her career, even as her role has evolved in ways she never expected.

When Jodie began her Churches of Christ journey in aged care at Gracehaven helping residents live meaningful and fulfilling lives through lifestyle and wellbeing programs, she thought her career couldn't get much better. But another exciting opportunity soon presented itself: helping establish the Bundaberg Home Care service.

"It was such an honour to be in the Service Manager role," Jodie says. "I loved encouraging staff to find their dream job and then empowering clients to live their absolute best lives. That energy was contagious, and we were always proud to represent Churches of Christ in the community."

Never one to shy away from a challenge, Jodie later stepped into the Consumer Engagement Partner role, a move she describes as both life-changing and one of the most challenging experiences of her career.

"It was like learning on steroids," she laughs. "I had to learn skills I never knew I was capable of learning."

Today, Jodie still resides in Bundaberg and proudly leads Churches of Christ’s Customer Experience Team and reflects on her career journey with gratitude, humour and admiration for the people who have supported her along the way.

"I can have a good giggle about some of the skills and lessons I've learnt, but most importantly, I have a deep appreciation for the inspiring leaders and workmates who've surrounded me throughout my career,” she says.

Having worked through decades of change in the aged care sector, Jodie has seen firsthand how the industry continues to evolve. Yet one thing has remained constant.

"It's the staff," she says. "They're the ones who flex and adapt through all the changes because of their love for the people we care for and the industry."

Among her proudest moments are seeing people back themselves and take a leap into a completely new career.

"When staff choose to enter a new industry and discover a role caring for others that enriches their own lives, that's something really special. It's infectious."

Jodie is also proud of the way Churches of Christ has embraced customer feedback through the Consumer Advisory Body.

"Seeing members' voices genuinely heard and their suggestions valued in shaping our services has been incredibly rewarding."

So, what has kept her here for 25 years?

For Jodie, it comes down to people, purpose and belonging.

"The constant belief in me, especially during times when I was doubtful, has meant a lot. My workplace is all about heart. When my personal values and morals align with the organisation's values, it feels like I'm exactly where I'm meant to be,” she says.

When asked what makes Churches of Christ such a special place to work, her answer is simple.

"It's the people. It starts from the top. We have inspiring leaders who keep striving to make this the best place for all of us to work and make a difference."

Her advice to new team members is equally heartfelt.

"I would welcome them to our family. Feel our values and know that no matter what role you have, you can make all the difference in someone's life."

After 25 years of service, Jodie remains as passionate about improving outcomes for older Australians as ever. Looking ahead, she's excited about the opportunity to continue learning and bringing new ideas to the people we support.

"Sandy Osmond (Regional Manager) and I are incredibly grateful for the opportunity to visit a dementia village in the Netherlands during November this year and learn from one of the world's most innovative approaches to dementia care," Jodie says.

"Seeing firsthand how they create environments that foster choice, independence and meaningful living will be invaluable. We are excited to bring these insights back to Australia and work alongside our teams to explore how we can incorporate these ideas to continue improving the lives of people living with dementia and their families."

After 25 years of dedication, leadership and innovation, Jodie's passion for making a difference continues to shape the experiences of both customers and team members alike.

Congratulations Jodie and thank you for 25 years of making a difference.