Showing up with care: How Gordana found her place in support work

After two decades in customer service, including more than 14 years behind a desk as a patient services officer, Gordana found herself wanting more: more connection, more meaning, more impact in people’s lives.

She now works closely with young people with disability, supporting non-verbal clients through NDIS by helping them feel safe, seen and connected in ways that go beyond words.

“I wanted to get more involved with people and improving their lives,” says Gordana.

She simply followed what felt right. That quiet conviction led her to disability support, where she now brings warmth, empathy and passion to every person she works with at Leora Healthcare.

Gordana loves working with young, non-verbal NDIS participants—individuals who may not use words, but communicate volumes through the way they respond to Gordana’s presence.

“When they greet you with a smile, with laughter, with open arms… it just makes me want to cry,” Gordana shares. “They look forward to seeing you. And that means everything.”

She shows how support is done right. How it’s more than just helping with tasks, and more about forming relationships built on patience, presence and care. Gordana’s ability to connect in subtle, meaningful ways makes her work in supporting non-verbal clients through NDIS deeply personal.

Sometimes, working in care can be emotionally demanding, but Gordana says she’s never felt alone in it.

“The people are wonderful. The clients are wonderful. It’s a team effort. Everyone working together to improve the lives of vulnerable people.”

She is thankful to Leora not just for giving her the opportunity to enter support work, but for building an environment where she feels trusted, encouraged and valued.

“Leora has given me the support and chance to do something that truly matters.”

When she’s not on duty to provide support for others, Gordana finds joy cheering her kids on at soccer matches, heading to the beach for a walk or hosting a weekend picnic with loved ones.

“I love outdoor activities and being around people,” she tells us.

That love of connection isn’t just part of her job, but clearly a part of who she is.

Support work requires heart. But it also requires resilience, patience and the ability to be fully present. Gordana believes if someone’s drawn to the role, they probably have what it takes.

She lights up when she talks about what makes the job worth it: “If you have a passion, if you’re positive, if you have understanding and people skills, it’s such a rewarding job. Helping people improve their lives and live their dreams, that’s a beautiful feeling.”

At Leora, support workers aren’t just part of the team. They bring light and warmth to the community with their heart for care and the kind of presence that makes people feel safe and seen. Gordana’s story is a reminder that great support often begins not just with experience, but with the drive to make a difference.

Through person-centred disability support, aged care and complex care, Leora helps people live more independently, with dignity and on their own terms. And it’s support workers like Gordana who make that vision real, one meaningful day at a time.

At Leora Healthcare, our team is made up of compassionate, skilled and dedicated people like Gordana who are committed to making every day better for the people they support. It’s about showing up with presence, patience and purpose, especially when it comes to supporting non-verbal clients through NDIS.

Gordana’s story is one example of how the right person, with the right approach, can build trust where words aren’t always available.

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