Working with us

“This experience really captures what I love about Side-by-Side - the genuine care and flexibility shown towards staff. The organisation truly makes every effort to ensure that we can pursue the things that matter to us outside of work while still providing the best care for our clients.”

I started working with Side-by-Side in January 2024. After speaking with the founder, Janelle Summers, one of the things that really attracted me to the role was how supportive she is of the staff - not just focused on the clients.

Of course, clients are always the priority. Janelle makes every effort to match clients carefully and ensure their needs are met, which is paramount. But what stood out to me was the equal consideration given to staff - recognising the importance of work–life balance and understanding that we all have commitments outside of work.

I’m a volunteer firefighter and a leader within my local brigade, which takes up a significant amount of my time. During the summer months in Victoria, when fires are frequent, I often need to head off at short notice. Over the years, I’ve had to refuse or rearrange shifts to be able to respond to fires.

I’ll never forget one time when Janelle and I were returning home from a respite weekend and there were fires nearby - she went out of her way to drop me off so I could assist.

Side-by-Side genuinely allows staff to maintain a healthy work–life balance, which makes me feel valued and supported. When an organisation looks after its people, you naturally want to give more in return - because you’re receiving that understanding and respect. It really is a win–win situation for both the staff and the organisation.

Elvis, Melbourne