No filter, no fuss – just the right match 

John and Darren

At the start of 2025, Darren, who was new to support work, walked into John’s life with a big grin and a sense of humour that let John know they’d get along just fine. 

John has been a customer with Avivo for around 20 years and isn’t afraid to let you know if you’re going to be the right person to support him – or not! 

Darren was an obvious choice to pair with John. From the start, there was no awkwardness, no pretending – just two people meeting each other exactly where they were, and deciding that honesty, humour, and mutual respect would be the foundations to their relationship. 

Banter

John has been in a wheelchair since an accident in 1984 changed his life in a heartbeat. Three years of hospital and rehabilitation followed, reshaping not only his body, but the path he’d imagined for himself.  

Before the accident, John was a nurse, which at times made him quite a difficult patient! Having previously been on the caretaking side, he would often question what his healthcare professionals were doing and how they were doing it. He’d worked in hospitals in London, Adelaide and Perth and was always sharp, smart and fiercely independent. That hasn’t changed – he just needs a bit more support these days. 

That’s where Darren comes in. 

Their banter would make for a good comedy sketch. They pull no punches and if one of them is having a rough day, the other will hear about it – usually wrapped in sarcasm and a joke… or five. They’re comfortable enough to be honest with each other, and that comfort equates to trust, which is essential when letting someone into home and your life. 

Darren helps John get out and about a lot more, with day trips to places like Scarborough, the aquarium and the zoo, which John hadn’t visited in years. Trips that used to feel difficult are now not only possible, but fun too. 

John also likes to keep his brain sharp and test his vast knowledge and vocabulary by attending a weekly scrabble group and completing quizzes and puzzles in the newspaper. 

A fuller life

Somewhere between their shared jokes and the quick-witted remarks, a fuller life has returned. 

This is what happens when the right person is paired with the right customer – and we take our matching seriously! 

Our Support Workers are trained, experienced, and chosen not just for their skills, but for who they are as people. It’s an environment where Support Workers are valued and encouraged to build genuine connections – because that’s where real change happens. 

“This job has taught me a lot about myself,” said Darren, who came to support work from driving trucks and operating machinery. “The South Lake team are just phenomenal. They are the most incredible and caring bunch of people I’ve ever worked with… It’s a privilege to work with such awesome people and to look after the people we do.” 

Support work isn’t just about ticking off tasks and completing jobs around the house for customers. It’s about restoring confidence, independence, and remembering the simple joy of living. 

For John, it’s meant enjoying a fuller life with the right person beside him, and for Darren, it’s the quiet delight of making that possible.