Imagine winning a prize so good… your boss ends up doing your job for a day.
That’s exactly what happened when Hayat (Support Worker) won the ultimate Christmas party prize at Crosslinks — a fully-covered shift by none other than our General Manager, Kate.
Fast forward to this week, and Kate made good on her promise. She laced up her sneakers, pulled on the shoe covers, and stepped back into the role she started in 19 years ago — a support worker. And let us tell you: it was nothing short of magic.
Swapping Meetings for Making Memories
Kate didn’t just shadow a shift. She threw herself into the afternoon like the absolute legend she is — showing up with heart, humour and a deep respect for the team and participants she was there to support.
So what does a GM-turned-support-worker actually do on shift?
- Personal care
- Community outings and shopping runs
- Roughly 50,000 cups of tea and coffee (Kate’s estimate!)
- Puzzles, dance parties, chats and belly laughs
It wasn’t just about ticking off tasks — it was about presence, connection, and making people feel seen and supported. Kate brought the vibe, the music (ABBA, obviously), and the kind of joyful energy we all need more of.
“This is still the best job I’ve ever had.”
Those were Kate’s exact words.
“I started my career as a support worker and hands down, it’s still the best job I’ve ever had,” she said. “Being back on shift reminded me why we do what we do — to create joy, connection and real, quality care. These are the moments that matter.”
The participants absolutely loved having Kate in the house. One participant even asked if she could come back next week — now that’s a rave review.
And the team? They welcomed her with open arms, a full task list, and a cheeky coffee order.
Why this matters (and why we’re sharing it
Because at Crosslinks, we don’t just say we care. We show up.
This moment also speaks to what makes Crosslinks different. We’re not just a service provider — we’re a community that values people and purpose
Whether you’re a participant, a parent, a support coordinator or a support worker — our promise stays the same:
We understand. We bring fun. We build trust. We’re here for you.
And we love a bit of ABBA.
