From learning to leading

Recently, Kay Bajwa found herself at the crossroads of an exciting career transition. With a professional background in economics, business management, and commerce, and over 27 years of corporate management experience, the 55-year-old decided to shift towards something more personally fulfilling — becoming a full-time Psychologist. 

As part of her placement, Kay has been volunteering at Lifeline Western Melbourne, located at VU’s St Albans Campus, the first Lifeline Crisis Call Centre in the state to operate from a university site.  

Established in June 2023, the centre is staffed by a number of volunteers currently studying across Victoria University (VU) Campuses. Right now, the Centre is staffed by approximately twenty student volunteers, answering between 200 to 400 calls per month. 

“Volunteering at Lifeline has been a meaningful step in my transition. I went through an accreditation process to align my practical experience with my studies. Recently, I was selected to be a Student Mentor, where I’ll be working closely with students training to become Lifeline counsellors. In this role, I help conduct role-plays and provide feedback. Maintaining my Lifeline accreditation requires completing 90 hours annually, and this commitment is invaluable. It’s not just about fulfilling professional obligations; it’s about giving back to a country that has given me countless opportunities to learn and grow,” said Kay. 

Kay is currently working as a qualified NDIS Counsellor in private practice, which complements her studies. “The future I envision is a blend of teaching, practicing, and working in an organisation—this academic journey makes that vision possible. The knowledge and skills I’m gaining at VU will also enable me to contribute back home to India, where there is a growing demand for mental health professionals.”

Right now, Kay juggles two placements, but says she can manage her workload thanks to the flexibility of the VU Block Model. 

“I’m on track to complete me Master of Counselling by mid-2025. After that, I hope to practice as a counselling psychologist in Australia and, perhaps, pursue a PhD. The journey has been long, but I feel ready and excited for what lies ahead.”

Lifeline Team Leader Natasa Adamovic started her role in mid-2023 and says the diverse nature of the job ensures her professional life is always interesting. “I wear a lot of hats, however my favourite part of what I do is mentoring new student volunteers. I find it extremely rewarding to be a part of someone's Lifeline journey and watch them become more confident on the helpline and cultivate self-belief within themself.”

The job is as diverse and the volunteers come from all walks of life, including VU Psychology students. “I’m always learning from our staff. Building relationships with my volunteers and watching them grow through the Crisis support workplace training program gives me a great of pride and admiration,” says Natasa.  

Both Kay and Natasa agree that the advantages of volunteering are two-fold, not only do staff learn a range of invaluable skills, but they are also supporting some of the community’s most vulnerable individuals.   

"It’s a real privilege to talk to so many people and play an intricate part in their journey,” said Natasa.