Proof of the Pudding: The Good News Story that is Jayne

Meet Jayne

Soup, cereal bars, party rings, the drawer is brimming with snacks. ‘Take anything you like,’ Jayne offers. This to me is an Area 51 alien concept. Voluntarily sharing your sweet treats? As one of five I’ve learnt to hold onto my chocolate with all of my strength to prevent an older sibling from taking it. But Jayne offers me the contents of her drawer, chocolate included, without hesitation.

There’s no question about it. Jayne seeks to care for others, to spread kindness, to lift you up with her own two hands. Her full, eye-crinkling smile, ‘hugger’ personality type, and biscuit offerings barely scrape the surface of what it is that makes Jayne such a joy. When first meeting with Jayne you’d have no idea that she was once a client of the centre, but it’s her own experiences which fuel her desire to support the women who visit My Sisters’ House.

Jayne stumbled across My Sisters’ House several years ago after suffering intense trauma. In her first session she spent an hour talking with Michelle, the community IDVA, who confirmed with Jayne that ‘You’re going to work here one day.’

She laughs now, ‘I was so emotional I could barely spell my own name, let alone think about working again.’

But, as Michelle predicted, as Jayne continued coming to MSH she began to overhear stories of other women’s struggles. Her twenty-seven years of experience working in the civil service, and her innate kindness meant Jayne simply couldn’t do nothing. Surrounded by, as Jayne describes, the ‘Amazing women who you meet at My Sisters’ House,’ she began to help others with their finances around the kitchen table.

One and a half years later, Jayne plays fundamental roles in both of the teams that operate within MSH. Mainly covering financial support, Jayne is, as she recognises, ‘Someone to talk with when people are at their most vulnerable.’ She helps with benefit appeals, housing appeals, immigration appeals, and debt. Jayne also runs the collaboration between My Sisters’ House and Home-Start, a family support organisation. With this Jayne encourages MSH volunteers to also volunteer with Home-Start, and Home-Start mothers to use the services at My Sisters’ House, such as the Confidence Courses and Tea & Talk time.

‘I just love to help people,’ Jayne smiles. ‘I feel truly privileged to work here. I wake up excited to come in. It’s just a complete joy.’

One of the highlights of Jayne’s job is passing on the love, care, and support that she received as a previous client, and continues to receive as part of the My Sisters’ House family. ‘People come in who can’t cope, and I get to enable and support them. We can do it together, we can lift their worries and see them get better.’

Working at My Sisters’ House, as Jayne emphasises, ‘Made me recover.’

Jayne has been through the services at My Sisters’ House herself after deciding to confront her problems, and now helps others along their similar journeys. ‘We need the sisterhood to lift each other up. We do have that strength,’ Jayne acknowledges.

She preaches, ‘I am the good news story myself. I am proof of the services working.’

We finish up talking and exchange a hug. Soon after I settle myself at my desk, Jayne comes by the room to offer a banana from her bunch.

I politely decline, laughing with her as she walks away chuckling, ‘I’m a feeder!’

After my second interview with another member of the team at the centre, Jayne’s earlier words ring true in my ears, ‘Being at My Sisters’ House has restored my faith in life.’