FDS Insight Magazine Jun - Sep 2023

5 Farewell to FDS Family Support Worker, Natasha Stapleton A note from FDS CEO, Tony Trimingham OAM ne of the most enjoyable aspects of my role at Family Drug Support (FDS) is seeing people with potential develop into valuable employees. Natasha came to FDS some years ago with enthusiasm, drive and potential. Working within our QLD team, she has developed into a mature and valuable employee. When she sat as an observer with me in her first experience of the delivery of Stepping Stones, our award winning program for families, she was like a sponge, always enquiring and absorbing knowledge and information. Natasha has honed her skills and what is particularly impressive is her commitment to supporting the families that she engages with. Natasha is leaving FDS to travel and further her career working in the United Kingdom for now. We wish her luck in her future endeavours and we would be very happy to welcome her back to FDS when she returns to Australia. A note from Natasha: Thank you and Farewell fter three years of being a Family Support Worker at Family Drug Support, I say farewell (for now) to FDS. I look back on the past few years and realise I have learnt so much, professionally and personally, that I will take with me for the rest of my life. Working for FDS has changed my life, and my relationships, in more ways than I can express. Thank you, Tony Trimingham and Sandra Lines, for hiring me and believing in me every step of the way – including at times when I didn’t believe in myself. Your encouragement and support, as well as the support of the wonderful QLD Team, has lifted me up and carried me over the years. I am incredibly grateful for the privilege of being able to learn from my fantastic FDS colleagues across the country, and the amazingly selfless volunteers who dedicate their time to help families. I have learnt so much from the family members who have trusted me and shared their stories and wisdom with me. From the bottom of my heart, thank you to each and every person who has been a part of my journey with FDS. This isn’t goodbye forever; it’s only farewell for now. I look forward to seeing you all again soon to continue to advocate for the dignity and respect of our people using substances, and all the family members who support them. One day I know we will live in a world free of shame, stigma and discrimination, and when that day comes, I will be proud to say I worked for an organisation that helped make it all a reality. O A