E tū’s care and support industry covers people doing some of the most important yet under valued work in Aotearoa: residential aged care, home support, disability support, and mental health and addiction services. These roles are essential to society, providing necessary care and support to some of the most vulnerable people. The care and support sector needs to be transformed and we are campaigning to do just that.
E tū membership works across four general categories of care
Residential aged care workers
Residential aged care workers are at the forefront of caring for the elderly, ensuring that seniors live their later years with dignity and comfort. Their daily duties include helping with personal care, giving medications, and offering companionship. These workers are not just caregivers but also advocates for the elderly, often acting to communicate their needs and concerns to family members and healthcare providers.
Home support workers
Home support workers help individuals to maintain their independence by assisting with daily routines in their own homes. This can include helping with personal hygiene, preparing meals, cleaning, and providing vital company and emotional support. Home support workers often form deep connections with their clients, becoming crucial to their ability to manage their day-to-day lives despite challenges posed by age, disability, or illness.
Disability support workers
Disability support workers are key in helping people with disabilities to lead rewarding lives. They help with their service users’ physical needs, support employment and educational efforts, and facilitate social and recreational activities. Their work is tailored to the individual needs of their clients, promoting autonomy and inclusion in all areas of life.
Mental health and addiction support workers
Workers in mental health and addiction services provide critical support to people dealing with mental health issues and substance dependencies. Their roles involve crisis intervention, ongoing therapy, and support group work. These workers are vital in recovery processes, offering hope and guidance to individuals and their families during some of their most challenging times.
Marianne Bishop
I am the Convenor of the E tū Care and Support Services Industry Council, and I work in residential aged care. My work involves helping residents wash and shower, noting any rashes, pain changes, lumps, or abnormalities, and documenting everything. I help them dress, assist with toilet needs, make their beds, and support their mobility. I deliver meals and hot drinks, then collect the dishes. I also manage their laundry, help them use their mobile phones, and regularly check on residents at risk of falling. Additionally, I answer call bells as quickly as possible, write in their notes each shift, and fill out incident forms when necessary.
What I love most about my job is spending time with the residents, talking to them while providing care. It’s incredibly fulfilling to make them happy, see them smile, and hear them laugh. The work is challenging and very busy, but it is also immensely satisfying and rewarding.
Jochanelle Pouwhare
I have worked in the disability support off and on, for just under 20 years, in a huge range of roles. Currently I am a community support worker in Wellington. I love my job and I’ve always had a passion for helping people who are judged within society.
For the last four years, my role has consisted of working in teams that provide bespoke support in the homes of two young people who came to us under the Oranga Tamariki umbrella. As a team we have had to manage violent behaviours, address the disengaging behaviours they have because of their trauma, and implementing strategies to improve their lives. It has been at times challenging, but most definitely rewarding when we see them go from where we started to where they are now. The outcomes are priceless. I could share many similar examples of diverse people and experiences that I have had the pleasure of working with.
I do have to stress that the role of any support worker comes with many hats. At times within our roles we are cleaners, cooks, budget advisers, advocates, accountants, Uber drivers, counsellors, security, and extended whānau. The list goes on, I actually have this saying: “Support workers are just social workers who get paid near the minimum wage.
Qiigle Pheenyx
I’m a home help support worker, providing care for clients in their own homes. It’s crucial for our clients to maintain their independence and not be reliant on a care home. They want to do as much as they can for themselves, rather than having someone control their lives. I absolutely love the work I do and cherish my clients, especially those I see regularly. Just being there for them is so rewarding. Some days, we’re the only people they see. It’s wonderful to see their faces light up, knowing we’re there. The families appreciate us too, because we help their loved ones feel valued and respected – feelings every human deserves from those around them.
One of the biggest challenges we face is isolation. We don’t often get the chance to meet as a unit and discuss the issues we face daily, largely due to the travel involved and the difficulties in getting paid correctly for it.
I love being part of E tū, it makes me feel less isolated and better supported. It gives us hope that things can change. There’s still so much more I can learn about the union, but hope is a big thing. I’ve been a delegate for five years and have worked as a member-organise. When members reach out to me and say they feel supported and that I’ve shown them a different way, that’s what it’s all about.
