Meet the team: Kimberly Schoch

Meet Kimberly! She has been working for selectability for the last 14 months as a facilitator coach for the Carer Gateway program.

In recognition of Carer’s Week this week, we are highlighting the important role unpaid carers play in the lives of many Australians.

Kim’s role in the Carer Gateway program is to support carers to make meaningful changes in their lives, increasing their capacity for self-care and achieving a more sustainable caring role.

“As an in-person peer support facilitator, I coordinate and facilitate groups where carers can meet others with shared experiences to build their capacity as a carer,” Kimberly said.

“This may be through activities like gardening, crochet, art classes, programs are tailored to the needs of those we support.

Those who know or are supported by Kimberly understand her overwhelming passion for providing unwavering care and support for others, particularly for carers.

“My experience as a carer has given me unique insight into the struggles and barriers that carers face on a daily basis.

“My goal when I began studying counselling and working at selectability was to eventually find a way to support others in that position.

“I love working with the passionate and driven team at Carer Gateway, but I also find it a privilege to work with carers in a diverse range of circumstances to help them discover and navigate the barriers they face in their caring roles.

You might say that Kimberly’s nature to be caring and supportive goes hand in hand with her role.

But in truth, you can find these overwhelming qualities outside of her 9 to 5 as well.

When Kimberly is not caring for carers, you might find her spending time with her family or indulging in her creative hobbies.

“I am a married mother of 5 children, they are all in with everything I do!

“We love our animals and are active wildlife carers, we currently have a house full of wallabies and various other wonderful creatures for rehabilitation.”

Kimberly’s tenacity and ultimate desire for caring; whether it be for her family, her animals, or even other carers; is a pillar of Carer Gateway’s campaign to support the well-being of carers across regional Queensland.