Paul has been an independent support worker on Mable for a year now. 

A self development coach, personal care worker and retired mental health professional,  Paul believes support work is a great opportunity to deliver his services in a holistic way. 

In an interview, Paul shares how he built his support worker business on Mable.

Q. How have you built a successful business on Mable?

The strategies I have used include:

• Making genuine connections with the client’s best interests at heart. Machines may be able to offer many of the supports we provide in due time. However, they can’t offer a genuine human connection like a support worker; that is valuable and irreplaceable. 
• Using existing supports and resources efficiently and effectively. This may include working with families, communities and other support agencies. 
• Working with passion. Assume the best in the client, be specific and intentional with desired expectations and outcomes. 
• Challenge individuals positively to achieve their best with emphasis on personal responsibility and accountability. Doing this can help foster a sense of meaning, purpose and joy where one is more of the cause and less of the effect as they navigate through life’s journey. 

Q. What challenges did you face in building your business? How did you overcome these?

The challenge was describing my service in a clear, accurate way because of its variety, extensiveness, depth and uniqueness.

I overcame this by:

• Conducting assessments before I booked with a client to ensure we were compatible and to minimise the possibility of miscommunication.
• Communicating clearly to potential clients what my service is about when I meet and greet. 
• Allowing time and opportunity to build trust. 

Q. Do you have any advice for support workers on how to engage with or find new clients?

• Be clear about what makes you stand out from other service providers. 
• Be specific within your profile and at the meet and greet session. For example, if your service is holistic, how so? 
• Be presentable at all times.
• Act in a way that establishes a sense of safety and trust. Establishing rapport is key.

Q. You’re a Registered Nurse – how have nursing skills benefited you in your work?

Three of the main nursing skills that I find useful to bring about change, healing and transformation in an individual are observing, reassuring and fostering hope.

It’s about working with the individual and supporting them to grow by helping remove barriers to success. 

This may include suggesting or initiating some changes to routine, helping improve time and resource management. It can also be about encouraging clients to exercise more choice and control in their care management. 

Q. What are some of the highlights of your work as a support worker on Mable?

Some of my work highlights have to be the constant flow of positive reviews from Mable clients. For me, receiving feedback reveals my potential to add value to someone’s life.

Q. For you, what have been the biggest benefits of being a support worker on Mable?

For me, the biggest benefit of being a support worker on Mable is to have a platform on which I can advertise and deliver my services with little to no effort in marketing. 

Another big benefit is being able to network with other support workers in a way that utilises individual talent and interest.

Q. What advice do you have for someone who is thinking about a career in support work?

My advice would be: identify your talents, find ways to deliver them effectively and do it with passion. Start with small steps and embrace failures. This builds confidence and resilience.

Benefits of being a support worker on Mable

By joining Mable as an independent support worker: 

• You can choose your clients, set mutually-agreed rates with clients and choose the hours you work 
• You’ll be covered by our suite of high-level insurances 
• You have access to over 170+ free training courses and 24/7 counselling and wellbeing support.

Also read: ‘Mable gave me a whole new career’: Pete’s success story

Editor’s note: Image is for representation purpose only.