Meet the team: Jerome Atherton

Meet Jerome, a Lifestyle Support Worker based at selectability’s Cairns Mental Health Hub. He joined the team just over a month ago and is already enjoying the challenges and satisfaction of helping others in the Cairns community.

Working at the airport in laboring, transport and catering, Jerome’s emlployers were hit hard by the impacts of the COVID-19 and eventually ended up closing.

“It was a good experience and I learnt a lot, especially about team work, time efficiency and leadership,” said Jerome.

After the company closed, Jerome picked up a job working at a marble and granite fitters which he says was a great experience.

 “It was a more family-oriented business and you were treated like one of the family.”

“I learnt a lot and appreciated working there but I came to the thought that I spend 40 hours of my life doing something that I didn’t feel was beneficial to me.

It was at this time that individual support work was introduced to Jerome and he made the decision to leave his job to study a Certificate III in Individual Support.

“I never had the intention to work with people, but over time I thought I would give it a go, I felt God lead me there.”

Jerome, who is of Papua New Guinean and Australian decent, started working with selectability in January 2022 and hasn’t looked back since.

“It has been a blessing so far, the team is great! I have never felt so determined to give back to those who need support to achieve their goals and watch them progress.”

For anyone considering a role with selectability as a Lifestyle Support Worker, Jerome says “give it a go!”

“It is a life changing and very rewarding experience, even though it is a very challenging role. The rewards you will receive to make an impact in someone’s life is life changing and eye opening.”