Celebrating Past Fellows Program Recipients
Below are some testimonials from past recipients of scholarships from the Aged Care Plus Fellows Program. You can see how this program has helped all of these people to further their professional development.
Laura Vidal
Campaign Coordinator, The Freedom Partnership
Laura was a Fellows recipient in 2012, and her scholarship allowed her to travel to the USA to learn more about the international anti-trafficking and anti-slavery movement where she also attended the United Nations Conference of the Commission on the Status of Women.
What inspired you to apply for the Fellows Program?
The Fellows Program was in its first year when I was applying. It was a new and exciting opportunity to be able to further develop my knowledge about human trafficking and slavery. It was an opportunity to be able to do something that typically would not have been funded through other avenues.
How has the Fellows Program allowed you to overcome barriers, and achieve your educational/professional goals?
I have been working in the field of anti-trafficking for almost 8 years.I was awarded my fellowship early on in my career and it gave me confidence. I have since gone on to complete a Master’s Degree and have grown in the organisation to hold a unique and specialised role with The Freedom Partnership-to End Modern Slavery.
What have you been able to achieve/implement into your workplace since the completion of your course?
The Fellows Program allowed me to see the work I do through a different lens. I travelled to the USA to look at how the anti-trafficking/slavery response operates there; this experience provided me with comparative reference points, informed my approach to program development and was also an example of a place where the anti-trafficking response was more advanced. This experience built my body of knowledge that I still use in the role that I hold now, I have been able to take out ‘the good bits’ and apply them to this work in Australia.
Having completed your course or conference program, how have you been able to positively influence the work and mission of The Salvation Army?
I have remained working in anti-trafficking/slavery work with The Salvation Army since my award of a Fellows scholarship in 2012. The knowledge I gained through this experience has been beneficial in continuing to shape the direction of our work in Australia. The United States has been working on this issue for a much longer time, so it is a good example of what works and what doesn’t work, particularly because Australia is really in its infancy when it comes to addressing this issue. We can avoid making the same mistakes or ‘taking the long road’ if we are informed.
How have you personally benefitted from this opportunity?
I had a great experience! I was able to grow professionally and personally through the Fellows Scholarship. I travelled in the US for 6 weeks, travelling changes how we see the world and ourselves as a part of the world. It also helped to shape the direction of my career and cement my passion for ending slavery!
Do you have any further plans to study in the near future?
I believe that part of being a professional is a commitment to ongoing learning. Things are changing all the time, there is always something new to consider. So, to answer the question, perhaps not ‘formal’ study in the near future, but certainly continuing to explore, expand and improve how I work by taking up opportunities for learning.
What advice would you give others who are interested in applying for a Fellows Program?
Think outside the box! The Fellows Scholarship is an opportunity to do something that may not be offered anywhere else, take advantage of this unique opportunity, bring back your knowledge, and offer it far and wide. You never know where it may lead you!
Andre Ramraj
Care Service Employee, Riverview Gardens Aged Care Plus Centre
Andre was a Fellows recipient in 2015, and commenced his Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Southern Queensland with his scholarship.
What inspired you to apply for the Fellows Program?
I wanted to add value and a better service in my community.
How has the Fellows Program allowed you to overcome barriers, and achieve your educational/professional goals?
It is very expensive to study and the Fellows Program has assisted me tremendously and allowed me to overcome a financial barrier.
What have you been able to achieve/implement into your workplace as a result of the Fellows Program?
I have contributed by mentoring junior staff within my Centre. They have been inspired by story.
How have you been able to positively influence the work and mission of The Salvation Army through the Fellows Program?
The Fellows Program has given me a positive attitude and has made me believe in the core values of the Salvation Army.
How have you personally benefitted from this opportunity?
I have most definitely befitted from this opportunity! The Fellows Program was the answer to my prayers.
Do you have any further plans to study in the near future?
Yes, I would like to specialise in the dementia field.
What advice would you give others who are interested in applying for a Fellows Program?
This is an opportunity to for you to shine! Be a go getter and a trendsetter! You can do it!
Captain Mavis Salt
Research and Resource Officer for Ageing Australia, Aged Care Plus
Captain Mavis was a Fellows recipient in 2012, where she utilised her scholarship to travel to Scotland to attend the fifth International Conference on Ageing and Spirituality.
What inspired you to apply for the Fellows Program?
The Fellows Program began in 2011. There was great variety in the scope of applications which were successful and this gave me more confidence in applying myself in 2012. At the time of applying I was working as Chaplain/Mission Director within Aged Care Plus at Pacific Lodge Aged Care Plus Centre in Dee Why and undertaking further study of Masters in Ageing & Pastoral Care. This study course is provided through The Centre for Pastoral Care & Ageing in Canberra which is affiliated with St Mark’s Theological College at Charles Sturt University. The Centre (CAPS) is a not for profit multi-disciplinary research, education and policy development leader for ageing and related ethical issues. I had attended local CAPS conferences in 2008, 2010 and would again in 2012 as they are bi-annual and of great value in understanding the broadening scope and issues of ageing and ministering to older people. I am always keen to continue my own learning as well as sharing information with others.
In 2012, there was early notification of an International Conference on Ageing & Spirituality to be held in July 2013, in Edinburgh, Scotland. I thought it would be beneficial for me to attend the conference and then also take the opportunity of visiting and networking with other Salvation Army providers in the aged care field in UK and Canada and then share my learnings within the greater Salvation Army, Australia.
How has the Fellows Program allowed you to overcome barriers, and achieve your educational/professional goals?
I haven’t really had barriers to overcome. As a Salvation Army Officer, I was given permission and financial support from an education grant within TSA and Aged Care Plus to undertake my Master’s course. Further to this though, receiving the Fellows Scholarship enabled me to attend the conference and have valuable networking experiences in the U.K. and Canada. An evolving achievement due to contacts made at the conference is development and cementing of professional relationships within the greater Salvation Army which is vital for the Global response to the ageing society. I am hoping that an international discussion group regarding the ageing population for The Salvation Army is to take place this year in 2016.
What have you been able to achieve/implement into your workplace as a result of the Fellows Program?
Achievements since 2012/13 have been underpinned by knowledge gained through the Master’s course and enhanced by attendance and networking at the conference. Presentation of a concurrent paper on Spiritual Care Assessment and Planning in Edinburgh 2013 was followed by a similar presentation at a conference in Shanghai later that year. Also, since that time the spiritual care assessment and planning process has been established in each Aged Care Plus residential centre and I have written the policy and training materials for Aged care Plus. I also worked together with Care Services in cementing the spiritual care material into the I Care system.
I am a trainer at Booth College, teaching in the Diploma of Chaplaincy on Facilitating Empowerment of Older People and Providing Support to people living with Dementia. I have been involved in further training of our aged care Chaplains regarding the ageing population, dementia, spiritual care assessment and self-care. I provide teaching support in the orientation of new Chaplains into aged care. A further important event was a presentation in 2014 to the Territorial Policy & Mission Council of The Salvation Army regarding the ageing population and potential Salvation Army response. In early 2015 I was heavily involved in organising the inaugural Salvation Army conference regarding our Australian ageing society.
How have you been able to positively influence the work and mission of The Salvation Army through the Fellows Program?
Other presentations to the Divisional team of the Greater West and three Corps regarding the ageing population and The Salvation Army response took place in 2015. A further advantage from the 2013 visit to the UK was the opportunity of participating in a pilot of 3 Godly Play stories specifically written for The Salvation Army’s perspective. This is particularly valuable as a teaching resource for those with dementia and I have organised some information days for both aged care Chaplains and other Salvation Army personnel about Godly Play. I have also participated in Godly Play training so that I can tell the stories and would like to expand this further throughout the territory. The other exciting opportunities opening up are involvement in piloting the National Guidelines for Spiritual Care in Residential Care, input to the Aged Care Channel around spiritual care, providing feedback for a training resource for pastoral care volunteers and also piloting a spiritual care training pack in the orientation of new staff for the Pastoral and Spiritual Care of Older People group. There are also new areas of research Aged Care Plus will be participating in this year through contacts made through the Master’s study and another International Spiritual Care Conference held in Los Angeles in 2015.
How have you personally benefitted from this opportunity?
Participation in the conference, forming new professional relationships as well as Salvation Army relationships and then the opportunity to meet with established friends was inspiring. Having lived in London for 2 years in the late eighties, it was inspiring to worship again at what was our home Corps in Croydon and experience spiritual refreshment. This was also a time of reinforcing the direction and purpose for ministry within The Salvation Army and the field of ageing and particularly care of the frail aged.
Do you have any further plans to study in the near future?
No further formal study plans at this point. Will be involved in research projects, ongoing teaching and would like to attend a conference later in the year from the perspective of church ministry with newly retired people.
What advice would you give others who are interested in applying for a Fellows Program?
Take the opportunity of applying for the Fellows scholarship. Be careful to include all the relevant information and be adventurous in looking at new opportunities which would be personally beneficial as well as assisting ministry in The Salvation Army.
Freddy Choo
Manager for Retail and Marketing, Salvos Stores
Freddy was a Fellows recipient in 2011 and with his scholarship, he did research and fieldwork into how The Salvation Army can make a difference in challenging social exclusion, rebuilding hurting communities and putting The Salvation Army’s mission at the heart of abandoned communities.
What inspired you to apply for the Fellows Program?
The first time I saw the advertisement for the Fellows Program, I knew it was going to be an answer to prayer. I had returned from London with a heavy heart after seeing how the youths rallied together and rioted the suburbs and brought London down to its knees.
I had also been following the recovery progress and learned quickly how disengaged the youth were.
With the Fellows Scholarship, I was inspired to do in-depth field work in the UK on the theme of challenging social exclusion.
How has the Fellows Program allowed you to overcome barriers, and achieve your educational/professional goals?
The Fellows Program meant I could focus on the research and fieldwork because it took care of the financial burden. It opened doors and widened my horizons. It motivated me and I felt that my past contributions to The Salvation Army was acknowledged and validated. It was a dream come true and I was able to connect with Officers and staff at IHQ, THQ UK, Corps in London, Manchester and Belfast.
What have you been able to achieve/implement into your workplace since the completion of your course?
Salvos Stores launched Salvonista Mobile Boutique - our first "pop-up" fashion store with the aim to reach out to youth and engage with them. The Salvonista van is designed to appeal and be relevant to the youth of today. It is solar-powered, has a graffiti wall, smart phone charging bank and of course funky and affordable fashion. We won three national marketing awards.
I've also written a paper on "Community Connection - How Salvos Stores can make a difference championing Social Inclusion". Based on that, and working with our Outreach Co-ordinator and Mission Director, we now have a regular outreach program throughout the network of stores, offering free tea and coffee to customers, engage with them in conversations and often end up with prayer for them.
Having completed your course or conference program, how have you been able to positively influence the work and mission of The Salvation Army?
The Salvos Stores are better equipped in the involvement of the Hub journey, Others Week, Forward Together and the overall mission of The Salvation Army.
We've also just completed a series of workshops with all our Store Managers on "Community Connection" so the workplace culture embraces and champions social inclusion. This has also evolved into a transformation project for us.
How have you personally benefitted from this opportunity?
I have immensely benefited from this opportunity! I've made lifelong connections with like-minded passionate people, locally and overseas. I was fascinated with the Incarnational Ministry and Community Transformation ministry of the Ryde Corps and I now worship and serve at Ryde Salvos.
Do you have any further plans to study in the near future?
Yes I do and I was inspired to explore the possibility of doing a PhD in the same field.
What advice would you give others who are interested in applying for a Fellows Program?
Seek the heart of God for your role in The Salvation Army and the difference you would make in your community. Apply for the Fellows scholarship and see how God can unfold the plan each step of the way.
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