A Voice When It Matters Most
Stephanie Buckland, Chief Executive Officer
Advocacy is about ensuring that every person is heard, respected, and supported to make decisions about their own life
The Anglican Church has a long tradition of standing alongside people whose voices may not always be heard. Grounded in the belief that every person is created in the image of God and worthy of dignity, respect, and compassion, advocacy is expressed through service, hospitality, and a commitment to justice.
At its heart, advocacy begins with listening carefully, understanding what matters most to a person, and ensuring their wishes, values, and choices are respected.
This is particularly important in aged care, as people navigate changes in health, living arrangements, or support needs, decisions can feel complex and overwhelming. During these moments, having someone who can listen, explain options, and ensure a person’s voice is heard can make a meaningful difference.
At Amana Living, advocacy is woven through the everyday work of our teams and reflected in the way staff support older people to understand their choices, access services, and make informed decisions about their care. In many ways, advocacy is a form of accompaniment, walking alongside people and ensuring they remain at the centre of decisions that affect their lives.
One example is our Residential Liaison Officers, a role created to support residents and families through one of life’s most significant transitions. For many people, the aged care system is unfamiliar and moving into residential care can feel overwhelming. Residential Liaison Officers connect with families before a resident arrives, answer questions, provide guidance, and help them navigate the process with confidence. They welcome residents on their first day, support them during their early weeks in care, and help ensure individual preferences and wishes remain central to every decision. Through regular contact and reassurance, they help residents and families feel supported from day one.
Advocacy is equally important for people receiving support in their own homes and our Client Service Managers help clients access services that enable them to maintain their independence and continue living in the communities they know and love. In doing so, they ensure care arrangements reflect the goals and priorities of each individual.
We also see advocacy through the work of our McCusker Nurses, who provide support and guidance to carers of people living with dementia. By sharing knowledge, offering reassurance, and helping carers navigate challenges, they advocate not only for those living with dementia but also for the families supporting them.
Another important expression of advocacy is creating opportunities for older people to influence the services they receive. Through initiatives such as our Consumer Advisory Group, residents and clients can share their perspectives and help shape the future of care.
Australia’s new Aged Care Act represents an important step forward, placing dignity, independence, choice, and connection at the centre of aged care. Yet many older Australians continue to experience long wait times, complex processes, and barriers to accessing support. The promise of the new system will only be realised when those rights are consistently reflected in people’s everyday experiences, and for this reason, advocacy remains as important as ever. We must continue to listen, speak up, and work together to ensure the system delivers on its promise for older Australians.
When we listen well, honour individual choice, and stand alongside others in times of change, we give voice to what matters most. In doing so, we live out a simple but profound expression of Christian service: recognising the dignity of every individual and ensuring they are seen, heard, and valued. Through these everyday acts of advocacy, we help build communities where older people are not only cared for, but truly heard.