03/03/2024
David Kennedy -How`s the serenity? Support.
NDIS - Independent mental health support worker and Psychosocial Recovery coach (including coordination).
About me!
Hello, my name is David, I live in the Tweed area but also work in the Byron Shire and on the southern Gold Coast. I am an Independent mental health support worker with over three years of experience and 52 years life experience. I hold a psychology degree and I have also worked in a mental health drop-in centre. I worked in aged care for 9 years, mainly in a community setting. I had a published paper about the interactions between radiographers and their patients that empathised increasing patient comfort, treating them with respect and improving the general experience. My other work history includes government administration and owning an entertainment business. A lot to unpack, but here goes!
• My passion is to support people and help them live their best lives.
• My approach is to empower clients with the maximum autonomy, providing gentle guidance and encouragement of their options to achieve their life goals.
• I have been praised for being compassionate, patient, non-judgemental and understanding.
• I have learned from experience how to stay calm in challenging situations and adapt my responses to the needs of each individual client.
• Having patience without judgement (often there is no quick fix to a situation) it is most important acknowledge suffering. A calm, gentle, compassion and soothing energy.
• Measured and goal-oriented support.
• Experience in supporting complex PTSD, schizophrenia, anxiety, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar, depression, brain injury and dementia.
I treat every client with respect and connect with them as valued and connect with them as valued and unique individuals and have collaborated with a spectrum of people with various mental health needs and goals.
“I have known David Kennedy for many years and would recommend him to be a reliable Support Worker with GOOD work ethics!’’ NDIS participant – Garry G.
“Always reliable, patient and supportive” NDIS participant – Anne V.
Why may I be a good match? What are some of the ways I support? What do I enjoy?
• A sense of humour, fun and cheekiness. Sharing and connecting in laughter and smiles.
• Dancing, every kind of dancing, fun fact – dancing is my favourite activity! it energises, being lost in the music and rhythms is a natural escape from the stresses of life or any suffering.
• Music, listening to music, singing Karaoke (very badly), jamming in a band (trying to master the basics of any instrument).
• Walking – short walks, long walks, nature walks, beach walks, town walks (browsing), fitness walks, slow walks, mindful/meditation walks, Gentle exercise, stretching, workout exercise.
• All kinds of meditation, mindfulness, breathing, body scans, visual guided mind journeys, loving kindness and relaxation – empowering clients to lead meditation. Deep listening and silent awareness, learning to be comfortable with silence.
• Meal Preparation – Creating a menu/action plan, writing out a shopping list, shopping for ingredients, cooking meals and organising storage of prepared meals.
• Appointments/Dealing with agencies – Support with any type of appointment or navigating the paperwork/technology of the modern world.
• Naming a few other activities I enjoy - Texas holdem poker, swimming, chess, fishing and various sports.
I work well with both men and women, people with life experiences and have faced adversity. It may sound counterintuitive that I’m excellent at supporting women. In a world that can sometimes be filled with male toxicity, my calm, gentle and supportive nature is a comfort participants may not have experienced before.
Current first aid, all required checks and insurance.
In summary of my support a quote from the movie the Castle, “How`s the serenity?”
I currently have some availability to provide all services in NDIS mental health support and psychosocial recovery coaching. Pro bono assistance in mental health NDIS applications. Available for a 15-minute meet and greet to check our compatibility.
Contact me on: 0411766765 - or email: daveau_50@hotmail.com
