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With passion for working with young people and a wealth of experience in the intersections of access and inclusion, Tess Lau is one HOPE team member to watch.
This August, Tess Lau will celebrate 10 years with Hope Community Services.
Tess is currently the HOPE Culture and Diversity Officer, but she has held many roles within our organisation. Previously as Youth Services Coordinator and Youth Transition Accommodation Program (YTAP) Coordinator she’s worked to support young people engaged with the youth justice system.
Other roles have seen her working to make end-of-year celebrations safer for school leavers, providing community outreach services, delivering the Life Skills program to young people at Banksia Hill Detention Centre and running a parenting support program at Boronia Pre-release Centre for women.
However in recent years her focus has shifted.
“We work within a community where we look after people. I believe in caring for the people who look after people,” she explains.
“It’s important to invest in staff in ways that make them feel, welcome, comfortable, valuable, strong… so that they be fully present and can show up to serve their communities.
“Investment in staff trickles down into amazing service and a rich and satisfying work life.”
Embracing difference
Tess’ day-to-day involves a lot of problem solving and research, as she is regularly approached with questions or conversations around supporting staff.
With a strong knowledge base and extensive research experience, Tess supports team members and people leaders to navigate what can be a complex space to interact in.
She guides team members by building knowledge and best practice in cultural security, disability, neurodivergence, diverse lifestyles and adjustments that ensure employee wellness. Her role enables the wider team to embrace diversity and inclusion.
“There is beauty in diversity. Difference brings lots of beautiful aspects, each is a superpower and my job is to empower that. What I like [about my role] is having really interesting conversations that prompt a whole lot of research,” she says.
“It’s a space where I can give back and where I am continually learning alongside people. I get to reach out to people in those diverse communities and learn from them. I get to see changes implemented that help people.”
Showing PRIDE
Tess also spearheads HOPE’s involvement in major events like WA PrideFest. This year will be HOPE’s fifth year participating in Perth Pride, and the fourth marching in the parade.
“The enthusiasm from the team for PrideFest has just kept growing,” she says.
“It’s a really beautiful team building exercise for HOPE and the relationship building that happens with this community is amazing.”
Reflecting on a decade of HOPE
Tess was initially attracted HOPE by the opportunity to work with the then-CEO Mick Geeney, who Tess considered an ‘out-of-the-box’ thinker.
Ten years on and she has some key insight into the reasons behind HOPE’s growth.
“HOPE made a name for itself by keeping promises and listening to the communities that we sought to support and walk alongside,” she says.
“It’s because of that effort to be involved in the communities we help, that we were able to see and gain understandings of the complexities involved. Communities endorsed us, and because of that we grew.
“The reason I’ve stayed with HOPE so long is the impressive dedication to moving forward and sticking to our word. Following through and showing up is important and investing in that, even with small things, pays off.”
Finding her joy
Outside work, you can find Tess crafting, collecting badges, tending to her pet bugs (spiders, stick bugs and beetles – oh my!), playing board games or being the ultimate fangirl, blasting Taylor Swift.
“I feel it’s important to find and express your joy. Celebrate things and don’t care what others think,” she says.
“I make an effort to be ‘out there’, open and quirky because I hope it makes other people feel brave to being their wonderfully unique selves too.”
Reflecting on International Women’s Day
“It’s particularly amazing to work within a network of incredible women role-models,” Tess says.
“I have made many connections along the way in my career journey including some inspiring social workers such as Angela Barns and Robyn Martin who were there while I was in the formative years of my profession.”
“I was mentored and nurtured into leadership by an incredible psychologist named Helen who taught me the importance of relationships and connection in the workplace, especially in terms of highlighting and appreciating staff for their individualism and unique skills and showcasing these as strengths.”
“Lastly women such as Emma Avison, Rachel Emer and Renee Barker who have held and supported me to grow into this role that I am in. I am inspired daily by the role-modelling, encouragement, support and enthusiasm for the work that I am able to do and for speaking so strongly to HOPE values.”
