Whether it's supporting seniors or assisting high school students, Tammy Robinson's passion is helping people in need.
As a lifestyle carer for Carinity Home Care, Tammy supports seniors living on Brisbane's south side to live the life they love, in the home they love. She is also dedicated to supporting teenagers in the Logan district through her award-winning not-for-profit social enterprise, Formally Ever After.
Recognising that many families struggle to afford the costs of school formals, Tammy established Formally Ever After in 2019. The community program helps to remove financial barriers to attending formals by providing donated dresses, suits, and accessories for students to wear for free.
"Here in Logan some families struggle with bare necessities, so I knew formal wear for that final celebration was way out of their reach. I wanted to have a program to make sure no local Year 12 students missed out on going to their formal," Tammy said.
"I had time and knew I could make a difference, so I just gave it a go. I started asking my friends and family to donate and then went around to schools. Each year it has grown more and more as word has spread."
Tammy has dressed around 1,200 young people for their big night, including Carinity Education Southside students. Her enterprise has also helped to "show our young adults that kindness is free and that their whole community want them to attend their formals".
Formally Ever After also helps to dress students for Year 6 graduations, Year 10 semi-formals and student award ceremonies, and assists "other special individuals who just need something special to wear".
"Seeing how happy the students are, the smiles are priceless. Seeing how we inspire, empower, and impact our young adults just makes my heart so full of love," Tammy said.
Tammy's community has recognised the value of her charity work. She was nominated as Logan City's Volunteer of the Year, won the Community Champion and People's Choice awards in ABC Brisbane's Community Spirit Awards, and has received awards from Federal and State MPs.
Kindness and compassion are also driving Tammy's work as a lifestyle carer with Carinity Home Care Brisbane South. Supporting seniors has long been one of her passions.
"I actually started volunteering in a local nursing home when I was 12. My love for older people just grew and grew and I worked in nursing homes before I had children," she said.
"Now I love working in the community and helping to keep our seniors in their homes longer. I just love that we get to be a small part of their lives and can assist them to live a life they want in their own homes."
Tammy sees similarities between caring for seniors and assisting younger people in need.
"It's about giving your time to those who need it, being kind and caring and doing what you can to make others feel comfortable, empowered, uplifted, and supported. It's about making even the smallest of difference to their day and their lives, leaving them with a happy feeling in their hearts," Tammy said.
"Going to work each day makes me smile because I know I get to see some of my favourite people."
