Your NNC: April 2026 Newsletter

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Staff Profile
April 2026

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5 minutes with Jacqueline

'“These groups are about far more than activities, they help reduce isolation and create spaces where people feel seen, heard and supported.”'

As a Portuguese speaker herself, Jacqueline facilitates NNC’s thriving Portuguese seniors group, creating fun, engaging activities that support wellbeing and social connection. Alongside weekly Thursday gatherings, she runs an active monthly outings group. Jacqueline also oversees the Greek seniors group and is helping develop new local social groups for people seeking connection.

Q When you think about your time at NNC, is there a moment with the Portuguese seniors group that has really stayed with you?
A During a regular session, a usually quiet and reserved client opened up about her migration to Australia. She spoke about the loneliness she felt when she first arrived, the challenges of language barriers, and how disconnected she had felt from her culture for many years. That moment shifted the whole room. Other group members began sharing their own experiences, creating a powerful sense of trust, recognition and connection. It was a reminder that these groups are about far more than activities, they help reduce isolation and create spaces where people feel seen, heard and supported.

Q How does culture and language shape the way people connect in your group?
A Culture and language are central to how people connect. Being able to speak in their first language helps break down barriers, creating comfort, familiarity and a sense of cultural belonging around food, music, traditions and values. That sense of belonging has a real impact. People who were once isolated become more engaged and socially active, often forming friendships beyond the group. Time and again, I’ve seen how feeling understood and culturally connected can boost confidence, wellbeing and trust.
 
Q What does working with this community mean to you personally?
A It means far more to me than simply doing my job. It feels like being entrusted with people’s stories, histories and vulnerabilities, and creating spaces that honour their culture, language and lived experiences. With the Portuguese seniors group in particular, many share stories of migration, resilience and sacrifice that remind me of my own parents. That makes the work especially meaningful. Across all my roles, it’s about helping people feel seen, heard and valued. It keeps me grounded and reminds me how much compassion, patience and small acts of care can truly matter.
 
Q Can you share a story where you saw the impact of your work on someone’s life?
A One moment that has always stayed with me was supporting an elderly Portuguese gentleman who initially seemed withdrawn and reluctant to engage. He spoke very little English and would sit quietly in group sessions with his headphones on, avoiding conversation. Over time, I made an effort to connect with him in Portuguese, talking about familiar things like the music he loved. Gradually, he began to open up and trust me. I played Portuguese music through our AV system for the whole group, and slowly he started joining in, dancing, smiling and even bringing in his harmonica to play. It was a powerful reminder of how much being heard can change someone’s world. All he needed was for someone to listen to him.
 
Q Your role has grown to include Newtopian Outreach, the Hub and Just Social, what has drawn you to expand into this work?
A I’m driven by a belief in meeting people where they are. Each of these spaces supports people in different ways and working across them allows me to provide more holistic, person-centred support. This work has taught me that I’m highly adaptable and can build trust across very different environments and with people from diverse backgrounds. I’ve also developed a deeper sense of patience, realising progress isn’t always straightforward, and consistency often matters more than immediate outcomes. Overall, this growth has reinforced my commitment to this work. It’s shown me that I thrive in roles where I can connect, support and empower people across different stages of their lives.
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Q Across all of your work at NNC, what impact has it had on you as a person, and how has it shaped the way you see community?
A Working across all my roles at NNC has had a really strong impact on me both professionally and personally. It’s deepened my sense of empathy and reminded me not to make assumptions about people’s situations and to act without judgement. Everyone’s story is complex, and often there’s a lot beneath the surface. It’s also made me more patient and resilient. In terms of how it’s shaped the way I see community, I see that it’s built through connection, trust and inclusion rather than just a physical space or service. Community is about people feeling safe, seen and valued, regardless of their circumstances. Overall, this work has made me more grounded, more aware and more committed to creating spaces where people feel they truly belong.

 

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Archive: ​New(town) Beginnings 2022

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New(town) Beginnings #2
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More archives:​

2021 Newsletters

2020 Newsletters

2019 Newsletters

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