At St Joseph’s, we are always finding new ways to ensure our staff have the skills and support they need to provide the best possible care to our young patients. One such inspiring journey comes from Funeka, a dedicated Rehab Care Worker, who recently earned her certification in baby massage. 

When asked what inspired her to pursue this new qualification, Funeka’s answer was simple: her love for children. “The unconditional love I have for children made me want to give care and comfort through baby massage,” she said. It’s a touching reflection on why so many of our staff go above and beyond—because their hearts are with the children they care for. 

For Funeka, the certification was not just about learning a new skill; it was about adding something valuable to her work at St Joseph’s. Baby massage offers more than just relaxation—it stimulates vital systems like the nervous, immune, and circulatory systems. But beyond the physical benefits, Funeka saw how it could play a role in emotional healing. She explains that baby massage also strengthens the bond between parents and their babies, helping them understand their child’s body language better and promoting a nurturing environment. 

One of Funeka’s favorite parts of her training was teaching mothers how to massage their own babies. This not only gave her a sense of fulfillment but also empowered the parents with a new way to connect with their child. “I enjoyed teaching the mothers,” she recalled. “It was rewarding to see them gain confidence and feel a deeper connection with their baby.” 

After finishing her training, Funeka was eager to put her new skills to work at St Joseph’s. She began with gentle strokes during short sessions, paying close attention to how the babies responded. She smiles as she remembers her first baby massage session: “The baby wasn’t comfortable at first but soon relaxed and warmed up to me. By the end of the massage, the baby was so relaxed that they had a no.2 in my hands!” It’s a moment that made both Funeka and the team laugh, but it also showed just how effective the massage had been in helping the baby relax. 

This new certification is part of a broader commitment at St Joseph’s to support the growth and development of our staff. Alongside baby massage, our team members have opportunities to learn new skills in areas like computer literacy and sign language, ensuring they are always growing and evolving in their roles. 

For Funeka, her journey with baby massage is just beginning, but she already sees the impact it will have on the children in her care. She hopes it will help them feel safe and comforted during their time at St Joseph’s. Funeka also wants parents to know the value of baby massage, emphasizing how it can help strengthen the bond between caregiver and child in meaningful ways. 

As she looks to the future, Funeka is excited to continue using this new skill to make a difference in the lives of the children at St Joseph’s. “There are some wonderful ways to massage your growing baby, especially as they become more interactive and vocal,” she says. For Funeka, baby massage is not just a technique—it’s a way to show love, care, and compassion, which is at the heart of everything we do here. 

At St Joseph’s, we believe that upskilling our team helps us provide a higher standard of care, but it also brings joy and fulfillment to the people who are doing this important work. Funeka’s story is just one example of how learning and love come together to make life at St Joseph’s special—for our staff, our patients, and their families. 

At St Joseph’s, we continually seek new ways to equip our staff with the skills and support they need to provide exceptional care to our young patients. A shining example is Funeka, a dedicated Rehab Care Worker, who recently earned her certification in baby massage. 

When asked what motivated her to pursue this qualification, Funeka’s response was heartfelt: her love for children. “The unconditional love I have for children made me want to give care and comfort through baby massage,” she shared. Her words reflect the deep commitment that drives many of our staff to go the extra mile—because their hearts are truly with the children they serve. 

For Funeka, this certification wasn’t just about mastering a new technique. It was about enhancing her work at St Joseph’s with something meaningful. Baby massage not only offers relaxation but also stimulates vital systems like the nervous, immune, and circulatory systems. Beyond the physical benefits, Funeka saw how it could promote emotional healing. She explains that baby massage strengthens the bond between parents and babies, helping them better understand their child’s body language and fostering a nurturing connection. 

One of the highlights of Funeka’s training was teaching mothers to massage their own babies. This not only brought her fulfillment but also empowered parents to form a deeper connection with their child. “I enjoyed teaching the mothers,” she recalled. “It was rewarding to see them gain confidence and feel more connected to their babies.” 

After completing her training, Funeka eagerly put her new skills to use at St Joseph’s. She started with gentle strokes during short sessions, closely observing how the babies responded. She laughs as she remembers her first baby massage session: “The baby wasn’t comfortable at first but eventually relaxed. By the end of the session, the baby was so at ease that they had a little accident in my hands!” It’s a moment that brought laughter to the team, but it also showed how effectively the massage had helped the baby relax. 

Funeka’s certification is part of St Joseph’s broader commitment to staff development. Alongside baby massage, team members have opportunities to learn new skills in areas such as computer literacy and sign language, ensuring they are always growing in their roles. 

For Funeka, her journey with baby massage is just beginning, but she already sees the positive impact it will have on the children in her care. She hopes the technique will bring comfort to the babies and foster a sense of safety during their time at St Joseph’s. Funeka also emphasizes the importance of parents learning baby massage, noting how it strengthens the bond between caregiver and child. 

Looking ahead, Funeka is excited to continue using this skill to make a difference in the lives of the children at St Joseph’s. “There are so many wonderful ways to massage your growing baby, especially as they become more interactive,” she says. For Funeka, baby massage is more than just a technique—it’s an expression of love, care, and compassion, the core values that define St Joseph’s. 

At St Joseph’s, we believe that investing in our team not only enhances the care we provide but also brings joy and fulfillment to those delivering it. Funeka’s story is just one example of how learning and love come together to make life at St Joseph’s special—for our staff, our patients, and their families.