L-R Melanie Gilbert-De Rios, Ciara Young and Natasha Greig-Merrett. Wearing shorts for the Waipuna Hospice Shorts4Waipuna Day. Photo/John Borren
L-R Melanie Gilbert-De Rios, Ciara Young and Natasha Greig-Merrett. Wearing shorts for the Waipuna Hospice Shorts4Waipuna Day. Photo/John Borren
Melanie Gilbert-De Rios Child and family therapist Melanie, who has worked at Waipuna Hospice for 10 years, was the facility's first paid social worker and this year she became its first child and family therapist.
Melanie Gilbert-De Rios. Wearing shorts for the Waipuna Hospice Shorts4Waipuna Day. Photo/John Borren
It is a role she has grown into over the years but one that she believes was shaped, in part, by the death of a parent when she was nine years old.
"It wasn't a deliberate decision to follow the career path that I have, but I think unconsciously I was drawn to this kind of work because I understand the impact that death and grief can have on different family members, and that individuals respond differently," she says.
Melanie's role is to provide specialist grief and bereavement support for children as young as four through to the age of 17.
"I offer individual, child-centred play therapy and provide support to parents, giving them the opportunity to talk through something they have never had to consider before, like what to tell their children, and when," explains Melanie.
"While at times it can be confronting witnessing children's distress, anxiety and deep sadness, it can also be very special to be alongside them as they express their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. This allows them to come to an understanding of their world and to discover their own solutions. I am often amazed by children's inner wisdom, knowledge and self direction of what they need to do for their emotional wellbeing."
Mum to two daughters, Bethan, 12, and Alexi, 15, Melanie says a busy home life acts as an antidote to the intense nature of her work.
Both daughters are talented dancers and much of her spare time is spent ferrying them to dance classes and supporting them in their craft.
"I love watching contemporary dance because of its symbolic nature. It's all about emotions and expression, in much the same that the children I work with use symbolism in their play to express what they are feeling," she says.
Working at Waipuna hospice is a constant reminder that death is unpredictable and universal and, sadly, any one of us could become seriously ill at any time. But this can also serve as a reminder to try to live our lives to our full potential and to spend time with the people that matter most to us.
On June 21st, Melanie will be wearing a pair of school shorts to acknowledge all the children affected by a critical illness.
"I would like to encourage schools to get involved, as a way of raising awareness and showing their support for these children."
Natasha Greig-Merrett Social work team leader At school, Natasha's friends affectionately called her "Mum" because of her natural ability to listen and offer solutions to life's challenges.
Natasha Greig-Merrett. Wearing shorts for the Waipuna Hospice Shorts4Waipuna Day. Photo/John Borren
"I was always the one people talked to about their problems," she says.
As a teenager she knew she wanted to be a social worker but didn't know it would lead her to working at the frontline of those facing life's greatest challenge.
"It's something that evolved out of working in oncology at Tauranga Hospital. A significant number of the patients I worked with had non-curative cancers and it was from working with them that my passion for palliative care grew," says Natasha.
Her role, to which she was appointed this year, involves coordinating social workers for the community, inpatient unit and day services.
"We work with patients and their families, providing information, opportunities, access and advocacy, based around their social and emotional needs. This can include anything from financial help to housework and personal care," says Natasha.
"People's needs vary so greatly, so the support we offer can also vary greatly and is very much tailored to each situation. Sometimes this involves providing a safe environment to discuss multiple perspectives from different family members."
Working at Waipuna Hospice is a daily reminder to treasure the significant people in her life.
"The patients and families I work with inspire me to keep doing the work as they manage the most challenging situation in life, facing the death of themselves or a loved one. "There are many patients that have really stayed with me and it is an absolute privilege to be allowed to be part of this time in their lives. If I can make one small contribution that eases the burden, it helps sustain me in my work."
The demands of her three children, Briarna, 9, Jamie, 13, and Sam, 14, make the transition from work to home an easy one, she adds. "It's so busy when I get home, I have no choice but to step back into the role of 'mum'. "I also like to exercise. I run and do boot camp several times a week. It's about being able to process stuff subconsciously."
Shorts4Waipuna is a fun way of providing support for the valuable service that Waipuna Hospice provides, says Natasha.
"It always amazes me how generous people are in volunteering time and funds to allow our service to continue and grow in this fast growing city."
Ciara Young Community palliative care nurse and clinical nurse educator When the biscuit tins are full at Ciara Young's house, you know she's had a particularly hard day at the office.
Ciara Young. Wearing shorts for the Waipuna Hospice Shorts4Waipuna Day. Photo/John Borren
Baking is one of the ways she likes to switch off and balance out the emotional toll of working in palliative care.
"If I am stressed, the sign is I do a lot more baking. My kids like that too," she laughs. Ciara, who has two boys, Liam, 7, and Alex, 9, also likes to go for long walks, with the summit of Mauao being one of her favourite destinations.
"There's something about being at the top. It's just so peaceful up there. You feel so far away from everything," she says.
"Maintaining a good work/life balance is really important and something I actively strive for. Working at hospice does bring frequent reminders that life is precious, that it is for living."
But that's not to say that she doesn't love her job. Working in palliative care is something she has gravitated toward since she was a student nurse.
"I was always very comfortable with it. I love that palliative care recognises the multi-dimensional impact a life-limiting illness can have on a person, and those that support them, not just physically but also socially, spiritually and emotionally," says Ciara.
Working both with patients in their own homes and running workshops for health professionals, Ciara says as our community grows the need for palliative care will also grow.
Many New Zealanders will receive palliative care from a wide range of service providers and in a variety of settings.
"I believe in cultivating 'compassionate communities'. People in a compassionate community help care for someone approaching end of life through small acts of compassion - through community groups, religious organisations, hospice volunteers and neighbours - and I hope as a community we keep sharing compassion."
Ciara will be wearing something "bright, lively and fun" for Shorts4Waipuna, which she plans to source from one of the Waipuna Hospice shops.
"It's a great time to buy shorts from our stores, because many people have just cleared out their summer wardrobes," says Ciara. "Wearing shorts on the shortest day of the year is a neat way to come together as a community and collectively celebrate that we are all part of a compassionate community."
