When Lauren finished her HSC at St Columba Anglican School in 2020, she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do next. “I knew I wanted to do something I was passionate about and that was rewarding,” she says. “So I took a gap year to really think about my path.”

That year was spent working casual jobs and setting up her own pet-sitting business, which led to a short stint in Sydney caring for animals. Lauren’s life has already taught her resilience. Losing her dad to cancer at 13 gave her a deep respect for people who care for others. “It changes the way you see the world,”

Lauren says with remarkable maturity. “It made me grow up, essentially. Life can be really difficult. We can lose the people we love.”

This, as well as her love of animals, sparked an interest in a career built on compassion. “I thought helping the elderly would be a beautiful thing to do,” she says. “But without experience, I couldn’t get a start.” That’s when a friend suggested a traineeship with St Agnes’ Catholic Parish.

After Lauren had an interview with Colleen Banks (then, Manager) and Steve Peterson (Residential Services Lead) from St Agnes’ House, the next step was to meet with Natasha Murphy, the Manager of the John Henry Institute.

“Natasha told me exactly what working in aged care is like. She said, ‘It’s challenging, but it’s rewarding work.’ She encouraged me, saying, ‘I think you have what it takes.’ That motivated and inspired me to have a go.” Within weeks, Lauren was placed at St Agnes’ House, combining hands-on learning experience with formal training.

“They just kind of planned it out for me,” she says. “I felt very supported,” she says. “I was eased into everything at a good pace. I was always on buddy shifts with experienced staff who walked me through the details. My team leader, Jody Simmons, made me feel capable and confident.” Lauren completed her Certificate III in Individual Support with JHI in August 2025.

“I enjoyed my study through JHI. Natasha was my teacher and she was brilliant.” “The flexibility was perfect—I could work at my own pace from home and reach out for help when I needed it. It took me a year to finish because life was busy, but that flexibility made it possible.”

Lauren works a balanced roster—four days one week, three the next—with the option for extra shifts. “It’s working perfectly because I can do other things I enjoy as well,” she says.

Lauren’s story shows how a traineeship can open doors, build confidence, and create a career grounded in compassion. For anyone looking for meaningful work, her advice is simple: “Have a go. It’s so rewarding.”