From FIFO to fulfilment. Uniting WA’s Residential Youth Worker, Nick shares his story.
Click play to listen to Nik’s full interview on Mix 94.5fm
Uniting WA team member Nick Grimes was on Mix 94.5fm talking about his 10 years at Uniting WA after leaving behind a fly-in-fly-out (FIFO) mining and security job.
Nick is a residential youth worker and Uniting WA is currently recruiting for the role to fill a new program, hence Nick found himself on the airwaves talking about the fulfilment he gets from his work.
Working at Uniting was more than a job—it was his calling, lighting up every day with purpose, Nick said.
In Uniting WA’s family group home, Nick has been a constant for four young vulnerable people aged 6 to 18. He’s witnessed the complexities that lead these kids into care—struggling with issues like drug and alcohol addiction, mental health challenges, or the heartbreaking reality of losing parents and not having a family to turn to.
In Uniting WA’s family group home, Nick has been a constant for four young vulnerable people aged 6 to 18. He’s witnessed the complexities that lead these kids into care—struggling with issues like drug and alcohol addiction, mental health challenges, or the heartbreaking reality of losing parents and not having a family to turn to.
But amid these challenges, Nick sees the incredible power of transformation. When the children first started going to school, they would last about 20 minutes in the classroom before he picked them up and chased them around the school, trying to get them to come home. The real reward for Nick is seeing these young kids transform into joyful students with merit certificates and being invited to friends’ birthday parties—the simple joys of growing up.
“I kind of see that as my reward after 12 to 18 months of the hard slog. I love it. You know, to go from mining and security work, which was mind-numbing, to something that I want to be a part of. The passion you get to show and experience in the job—it’s just incredible.”
To learn more about joining the Uniting WA team as a Residential Youth Worker visit:
unitingwa.org.au/youmattermore/