Way out West: Building Remote Communities through Camp Catering Services
It can be easy to think of the sites FIFO employees work at as simply “their office” while their lives remain on hold at home, but the reality isn’t so cleanly cut. When a resident is spending two straight weeks out on site during a swing, their camp isn’t just their office; it’s their home, their corner store, doctor’s office, local pub, and community centre.
With workers isolated from the outside world, it’s vital that residents can find a sense of community and connection on-site for the sake of their mental health and overall wellbeing. Cater Care’s resident-focused offerings support our partners by transforming your camp into a thriving community where your industry’s talent can work hard, but also relax, recharge, and prepare for the days ahead.
The kitchen connection
There are few things in life that can’t be improved through a personal touch, and camp catering services are no exception. Site residents have shared in the past that they feel more comfortable and at-home when team members remember them and their preferences. Whether that comes in the form of accurately managing dietetic requirements each and every time or simply a cook recognising a regular and their preferred order, our team always works to bring a smile to a tired miner’s face through friendly and familiar service.
Our commitment to helping foster a sense of community goes beyond delivering quality catering and housekeeping services. By operating on similar rosters to residents while living on the same site, residents come to bond with Cater Care staff through the shared experiences and challenges of living in a remote micro-community. In time, our team members aren’t just service providers; they’re a recognised and integral “part of the team”.
Coordinating your calendar
Beyond the basic sense of community fostered by having a reliable roster of familiar faces, Cater Care’s RISE Health & Lifestyle program offers a number of additional services to help kickstart your camp’s culture. This program is spearheaded by our Health & Lifestyle Coordinators (HLCs) who are trained specialists accredited with four-year university courses specialising in the delivery of lifestyle, exercise, and behaviour modification programs for the protection of resident health.
As part of this training, HLCs recognise that mental wellbeing is every bit as important as physical health, and are trained to provide opportunities for residents to socially engage whenever possible. If there’s nothing on the calendar ahead, our HLCs can coordinate events with site management. These might be relaxed social options such as karaoke nights, trivia, or live bands where geographically possible. If you’d prefer to stoke a fire under your team, more competitive options can be arranged such as soccer matches, pool competitions, or inter-camp challenges.
After all – one of the best ways to bring a team together is to have them compete against another one!
From crater to culture
Culture, connection, and community are three elements essential to protecting the mental health of your workforce – and in turn, their productivity. Here at Cater Care, we believe that the best way for us to support our partners in achieving their milestones is to invest in the health and wellbeing of their residents, leaving our clients free to focus on hitting their goals and driving productivity upwards. If you’re struggling to turn your constructed camp into a vibrant village, get in touch with one of our Remote experts below to discuss your community building options.
For Western Australia:
Client Development Manager
bradley.walther@catercare.com.au
T:08 9241 2824 M. 0488 745 357
For all other States and Territories:
Senior Client Development Manager
T. 07 3851 8425 M. 0429 542 682
