Staff profile: Josie Gilham
Tell us a bit about you and what you hope to bring to AUA.
My name is Josie and I am super lucky to have worked in a range of programs that AUA has on offer including WaterAbilities, Cyclabilities, Shredabilities and Moveabilities over the last year. I am currently in my final year of studying a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy at the University of Canberra. Coming from an Occupational Therapy outlook, I have absolutely loved the programs I have worked in with AUA as they encapsulate the idea that through engaging in things and working towards an overall large goal ( i.e. riding a bike, skateboard, swimming or exercising more), children can build a huge range of other social, emotional, cognitive and physical skills in a way that they often do not realise, it as it is FUN! I hope that I can bring some of the things I have learnt throughout my Occupational Therapy studies to continue to ensure that any child who comes to the programs can continue to grow in smaller important life-based social, emotional, cognitive or physical skills each week; whether they end up reaching the overall larger goal in 1 term or in 15 terms!
What is the best part of working with children at AUA?
The best part of working with children at AUA is witnessing the growth in confidence, personality, pride and often visible skills over the weeks of the programs. As every child is different, celebrating all achievements whether it is step 1 or step 10 to mastering a skill is just so exciting and rewarding to witness. I also absolutely love building a relationship with the children and the families I work with and being a small part of their lives as they learn and grow.
What do you find is the best way to bring out the best in the children you support?
I find that the best way to bring out the best in the children I support is by forming a good rapport and doing my best to understand where they are on their journey and meeting them there. This means doing my best to understand all children’s strengths, interests and often anxieties or challenges; to work out the best way forward for them individually. This means that often when working with different children the plans and ways I communicate, encourage and support is never the same. I love being creative and trying new things (sometimes unsuccessfully) to ensure that I can support children individually in ways that they enjoy or respond to best.
Describe one of your best AUA memories?
This is a hard one as I have so many great memories! I think it would have to be from the cyclabilities school holiday intensive program. I was able to work with a child for two weeks straight in the balance and glide program and I was just blown away by the progress they made! The child went from not being able to wheel their bike at the start of the week to gliding down the basketball court and just starting to ride independently with pedals on the last day after facing fears, anxieties, having a couple of stacks but most of all having fun. On the last day the child said to me “guess what, now I can go to Dubbo Zoo and ride around with my family” which just highlighted to me that often the bigger thing that children get out of the program is not just the big skill (i.e bike riding), but the program can help them and their families in ways you often never think of.
How would describe the feeling you get when you see a child pick up a new skill?
I think I would describe the feeling as one of excitement, but also feeling so proud of them for overcoming a small (or large) barrier. It is an awesome feeling to witness and be a part of supporting a child to overcome or do something that they have never done before.
What is one thing you have learned or shared with others in the AUA team?
In helping run and develop the Moveabilities program with Madi and Ellie in term 1, I was able to learn so much from their Exercise Physiology outlook and the skills and techniques they use to encourage children to exercise and build physical skills. I have also learnt through engaging in AUA programs to celebrate the small wins! Every child I have worked with is completely different and has had different abilities, strengths and goals. This has highlighted to me to focus on each child’s successes however big or small and not compare this to anyone else!
What do you do when you aren't at AUA for fun?
Since working at Shredabilities it has been learning to skateboard. I have found the process of learning a skill that I am really naturally not good at and never thought I could do super rewarding and fun. It also has helped me to understand how better to help kids at Shred as I experience the same challenges as them, but also marvel at how good they actually are at skating! (so much better than me haha)
I also love to do anything outside and in nature! This can include tending to my poor and often suffering plants, bushwalks and lake walks, swimming (preferably but rarely in the ocean) or having picnics with my friends.
Do you have any pets? What traits do you have that is like them?
I have pets at my parents’ home in regional NSW and in particular I personally own a cat called Molly. I think we are very similar in many respects including that we both could sleep for 16 hours a day, we both will become grumpy and fiery if we are woken from our sleep to what we perceive as “too early” and we both get overly excited about dinner, or just food in general!
What is one thing that brings you joy each day?
I think this may be cliché, but I love the sunset! I just love how everyday it is completely different colours and the ones that are most beautiful are nit the “perfect” clear sky. They also remind me that no matter how hard I have found a particular day, that a new day and new opportunity is coming tomorrow.