Meet Gabi

Gabi has always loved helping people. She volunteered as an Ambulance Officer in Methven, taught first aid with the Red Cross and later worked as a Health Navigator for the PHO in Canterbury.  

It was the call to care for children and their families, though, that really ignited Gabi’s passion. In 2019 she joined us as a Family Support Coordinator – a role that takes her far and wide across the South Island. Here’s what Gabi had to say about the work she feels so privileged to do. 

What made you want to be a Family Support Coordinator at Child Cancer Foundation? 

I have always worked in positions that involved helping people, whether as an Ambulance Officer, working for the Red Cross or as a Community Worker. However, I had a real passion to work with children and their families, so I was thrilled to be offered my position at Child Cancer Foundation in 2019. 

What does a typical week look like in your job? 

There is no typical week for me. The nature of the families we work with means things can change in an instant. I may plan home or hospital visits and they can be cancelled on the day. But generally, each week involves visiting families, arranging any support they require such as groceries or vouchers, or maybe counselling and so on. As I cover Canterbury, West Coast, Nelson and Marlborough regions there is often also travel involved to ensure regional families are visited at home as well. 

What fuels your passion for your work?  

I feel it’s a huge privilege to be working with families during one of the most stressful times in their lives. The bond we can build is special. I was once referred to by a family as “their little ray of sunshine” which is the one thing I most hoped I could be. Knowing that I can make a family smile is probably the main thing that fuels my passion for the role. 

What is the most challenging part of your job? 

This role has many challenging aspects from ensuring we understand, acknowledge and respect all the different cultures we work with, to supporting a family during and after the loss of their child. Being present while children are put through all the horrific treatments can be really difficult and we often struggle to support the parents while they watch this. There are times when nothing we can offer is going to help. I like to fix things for people, but it isn’t always possible. 

What makes you the right person to support the children and families you work with? 

I think being a generally bubbly, smiley person is helpful. I just let people talk and unload in a casual yet comfortable environment. I know I can’t fix everything for them, but if I can leave with them having had a wee smile I’ve succeeded. 

How do you maintain a good work/life balance? 

This is something I’ve had to learn over the years. It can be really hard to leave our families “in the office” and not take those emotions home with you. But I do my best to get out and about and enjoy this beautiful country we live in. One benefit of this job is that I realise how lucky I am to be able to do this. 

What do you think families appreciate most about what you do? 

I think this quote from a family answers this the best: “She was always happy and so good with our son, and it was just effortless conversation. You didn’t feel as if you had to be polite and you would never care when she popped in. She’d just sit down and chat with us. This meant he forged a strong and positive relationship with Gabi, which I think really helped him.”