St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne’s nationally recognised STAR Peer Support Program has celebrated a milestone of 25 years. Created from a crisis incident support model used for the emergency services personnel, the program is staff caring for staff. This important service focuses on minimising physical and psychological risks in the workplace. Trained staff offer practical advice to someone who has experienced an issue at work and needs support. It works because their peers understand what they’re going through.
Thanks to the generous support from salary packaging provider, Smartsalary, St Vincent’s has been able to recruit and train an additional 20 STAR Peer Support workers.
Jacqueline Bloink, STAR Program and Workplace Wellbeing Manager said, “Smartsalary’s generous support enabled us to finance two annual recruitment and training courses in 2022. We are grateful for their support as it is important for us to continue to build our STAR membership and provide frontline support as well as raise awareness of the St Vincent’s Hospital’s Workplace Wellbeing Programs.”
Smartsalary’s Senior Client Success Manager, Kim Cook says, “Smartsalary have proudly partnered with St Vincent’s Foundation and the STAR Program to aid their key wellbeing initiatives, including financing two annual recruitment and training courses in 2022. Facilitating financial wellbeing lies at the heart of our salary packaging benefits and services, and we’re honoured to support the program.
“Congratulations to the STAR Program for celebrating their 25th anniversary. We are excited for the future of our continued partnership and exploring even more engagement opportunities to support St Vincent’s staff.”
PHOTO: From left, Richard Thayer, St Vincent’s Foundation, Adrian Wilson, Bank First, Amanda Patterson, Smartsalary and Warden Mersey, Bank First.
STAR Program users have provided some glowing feedback: “The STAR team at St Vincent's Hospital is a fantastic resource for those who have experienced trauma or had challenging experiences. They provide great support and information to those who need it”.
“In my own experience with STAR, I felt supported and heard and felt like I could be as honest and open as I wanted to be - “Thank you!”
If your business wishes to support St Vincent’s Foundation, please contact Richard Thayer, Corporate and Community Partnerships Manager at richard.thayer@svha.org.au or call 0413 199 875.
