Join us as we meet some of our amazing aged care workers.
Meet Tina, Clinical Pathway Leader at BaptistCare HopeStreet in Tuggerah, New South Wales
If you ever find yourself at BaptistCare HopeStreet in Tuggerah, chances are you’ll meet Kristina, known as Tina.
A Clinical Pathway Leader, Tina guides a multidisciplinary team to deliver holistic, wrap-around support for vulnerable and marginalised people in the local community. HopeStreet Tuggerah supports recovery from domestic and family violence, mental health, parenting and trauma. Services include counselling for children and young people, case work, group programs and chaplaincy.
Leading with purpose
Tina works with a team of counsellors and a case worker to support clients. “I started with BaptistCare nearly three years ago as a children’s counsellor,” she says. “My heart has always been with kids – I was a paediatric nurse for nearly 20 years before I retrained as a counsellor.”
Originally from England, Tina moved to Australia 23 years ago and has spent her career supporting children and families. Before joining BaptistCare, she delivered restoration programs for parents with children in out-of-home care.
When she stepped into the leadership role at Tuggerah, she agreed to trial it for six months.
“But 18 months later, I’m still here,” she says with a laugh. “I absolutely love it. I never imagined I’d be in a leadership role, but now I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
Giving children a voice
At the heart of Tina’s leadership is her passion for social justice and her belief that children need to be heard.
“I’m always advocating for the child’s voice,” she explains. “In every discussion, I’m asking – what’s the impact on the child? What do they need? We can’t forget them in the process.”
To that end, Tina recently introduced a ‘children’s voice tree’ into the Tuggerah playroom – an idea inspired by a domestic and family violence conference.
“At the end of each session, children can write something they want me or their parent to know on a leaf and add it to the tree. It might be something they found hard, something they’re proud of, or just something they want to share.”
Some leaves are wiped clean after each visit, others stay up – with the child’s permission – to inspire and connect with others.
“When I read those leaves, I remember why we’re here,” Tina says. “It grounds me.”
Creating safe, healing spaces
Tina’s team at Tuggerah works with children and families navigating complex challenges – from domestic and family violence to intergenerational trauma, housing stress and financial hardship.
“No two days are the same,” she says. “One minute I’m running a group session, the next I’m supporting the team or linking families with services.”
It’s emotionally demanding work, but Tina is committed to making it sustainable, for herself and her team. “We debrief, support each other, and even have a ‘Silly Walks’ competition – whatever it takes to keep us going.”
Life outside work
Outside work, Tina enjoys the energy and unpredictability of family life. Her son dreams of playing professional soccer, so weekends are spent on the sidelines – a natural fit for this proud English soccer mum.
Her daughter, a talented singer, adds to the household buzz, and with two teenagers, life is anything but quiet.
To relax, Tina loves walking anywhere she can dip her feet in the water, a simple pleasure that helps her unwind and reset.
Considering a career as a child advocate?
Tina’s dream is to see more child advocates. “If I could put a children’s counsellor or advocate in every centre, I would. There just aren’t enough of us – and the need is only growing. There’s so much opportunity to support more families, advocate for more kids, and create more places like HopeStreet Tuggerah, where people feel seen, safe and supported.”
If you’re considering a career supporting children and families affected by trauma, Tina’s advice is to prioritise self-awareness and establish strong personal boundaries.
“Come prepared with knowing what your boundaries are, especially if you're going to work in the field of children or domestic violence,” she says. “It’s not easy to hear so much trauma.”
To manage the emotional toll, Tina journals and turns to creative outlets. “I cannot draw, but I love to doodle and colour,” she says. “I know what I need, and I’m very self-aware in those moments.”
Adaptability is also key. “If you're a routine person, this is probably not the job for you,” she says. “Every day is different. You can’t expect children to be the same every time, and they’ll throw curveballs at you.”
She also emphasises the importance of ongoing learning and being open to growth. “Never stop training, never stop searching for new ways to talk to people.”
Her final piece of advice? “Don’t take everything personally. When someone’s having a bad day, it’s not a reflection of you – it might just be your job to hold space for them for a while.”
And there’s likely to be room for enjoyment too – whether that’s the satisfaction of discovering a child who had avoided school finally spent a whole week in class, or seeing a colleague win a ‘Silly Walk’ competition.
Because at the end of the day, Tina says, “We’re here to do serious work – but joy is part of healing too.”
