We understand that people feel comfortable in their own home, maintaining their independence. We offer a range of services across metropolitan Adelaide and beyond so you can stay at home doing the things you love.
See Help at HomeNeed some more advice?
If you’ve got more questions about Help at Home, we’ve got answers.
See adviceIn our retirement living units you’ll have more time to enjoy doing the things you love without the maintenance of looking after a big home and garden.
See Retirement LivingNeed some more advice?
Is Retirement Living right for you? Get some extra advice from Helping Hand.
See adviceOur care homes offer a comfortable, safe and homelike environment with activities and care individually tailored to suit the needs and wants of our residents.
See Residential CareNeed some more advice?
Is Residential Care right for you? Get some extra advice from Helping Hand.
See adviceAged Care is so important. Some people forget that. You don’t and neither do we. Join our team and be part of something bigger. Together we’re there to care and here for good.
See CareersWhy work with us?
Do you want to join the Helping Hand team and make a difference?
See job vacanciesWe understand that people feel comfortable in their own home, maintaining their independence. We offer a range of services across metropolitan Adelaide and beyond so you can stay at home doing the things you love.
See Help at HomeNeed some more advice?
If you’ve got more questions about Help at Home, we’ve got answers.
See adviceIn our retirement living units you’ll have more time to enjoy doing the things you love without the maintenance of looking after a big home and garden.
See Retirement LivingNeed some more advice?
Is Retirement Living right for you? Get some extra advice from Helping Hand.
See adviceOur care homes offer a comfortable, safe and homelike environment with activities and care individually tailored to suit the needs and wants of our residents.
See Residential CareNeed some more advice?
Is Residential Care right for you? Get some extra advice from Helping Hand.
See adviceAged Care is so important. Some people forget that. You don’t and neither do we. Join our team and be part of something bigger. Together we’re there to care and here for good.
See CareersWhy work with us?
Do you want to join the Helping Hand team and make a difference?
See job vacanciesWe understand that people feel comfortable in their own home, maintaining their independence. We offer a range of services across metropolitan Adelaide and beyond so you can stay at home doing the things you love.
See Help at HomeNeed some more advice?
If you’ve got more questions about Help at Home, we’ve got answers.
See adviceIn our retirement living units you’ll have more time to enjoy doing the things you love without the maintenance of looking after a big home and garden.
See Retirement LivingNeed some more advice?
Is Retirement Living right for you? Get some extra advice from Helping Hand.
See adviceOur care homes offer a comfortable, safe and homelike environment with activities and care individually tailored to suit the needs and wants of our residents.
See Residential CareNeed some more advice?
Is Residential Care right for you? Get some extra advice from Helping Hand.
See adviceAged Care is so important. Some people forget that. You don’t and neither do we. Join our team and be part of something bigger. Together we’re there to care and here for good.
See CareersWhy work with us?
Do you want to join the Helping Hand team and make a difference?
See job vacanciesThe Helping Hand Board gives an independent view of governance and ensures we are performing to the highest level to meet client needs. The Board meets monthly.
Board Member since October 2021; Chair since December 2023.
Ms Janet Finlay is an experienced independent company director with a strong commercial and finance background across a range of industries. A chartered accountant and former partner of Big 4 accounting firm EY, she has extensive experience in leadership, governance, business development, financial management and reporting, risk management and stakeholder engagement. Janet’s other board roles include SA Water Corporation, SA Football Commission, University of Adelaide, Adelaide Oval Stadium Management Authority Limited and the Libraries Board SA.
CEO and Board Member since January 2019.
Chris joined Helping Hand as CEO in 2019. He has over 25 years of executive level leadership experience across various sectors including professional services, financial services and healthcare. His most recent position was as Managing Director of a leading SA professional services firm, Hood Sweeney, where he consulted extensively to clients on business growth, strategy and corporate governance.
Chris was a board member of Helping Hand for nine years and chaired the Finance & Property committee from 2012-2015. He is currently a SA regional committee member of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and a board member of Windmill Theatre. He has served on a range of other boards and committees, predominantly in the not for profit sector and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His qualifications include BSc (Hons); MBA; Diploma (AICD); Diploma of Financial Services; Level 1 Accredited Executive coach.
Chris is passionate about leadership and bringing his commercial and consulting expertise to ensure the growth and ongoing success of Helping Hand.
Board Member since January 2008.
Associate Professor Dr Craig Whitehead is the Regional Clinical Director for Rehabilitation, Aged and Palliative Care for Southern Adelaide Local Health Network (SALHN). He is also a member of the executive of SALHN.
Dr Whitehead is a staff specialist in geriatric medicine and Chair of the Client Care sub-committee. He is also a member of the Flinders University Department of Rehabilitation and Aged Care, an active clinician in public and private practice and a Member of the Aged Care Advisory Committee that advises the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee about aged care policy related to COVID-19.
Board Member since October 2018.
Professor Angela Scarino is Associate Professor in Applied Linguistics and Director of the Research Centre for Languages and Cultures, University of South Australia. Her research and development work focuses on the role of language and culture in communication in diverse domains, including aged care, and particularly in contexts of linguistic and cultural diversity. Her projects span state and national contexts in Australia as well as sustained work in Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, France, Italy and New Zealand.
She is currently the Chair of the Multicultural Education and Languages Committee, an advisory committee on languages and multicultural education to the Minister for Education and Child Development in South Australia.
Board Member since February 2020.
Dr John Harvey is currently of Chair of Rural Business Support, Studio Nine Architects and the Australian Wine Research Institute’s nominations committee. He is a Non-Executive Director of headspace (the National Youth Mental Health Network), Can:Do Group and Revenir Winemaking as well as a Trustee for the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust (SA) and the South Australian Grain Industry Trust.
Board Member since August 2023.
Jarrad Haynes is an experienced property developer and construction professional. He is currently a Director of Capital Prudential Funds Management, Capital Prudential Diversified Development Fund and is Chair of Amulet Property. He was previously a Director at Accord Property, and the National Operations Manager at Programmed Facility Management. Mr Haynes is a Graduate of AICD’s Company Directors Course.
Board Member since February 2024.
Stephen Walker is an experienced health management executive that has held a number of senior roles in both the public and private hospital sector in Australia and New Zealand. He is the Chief Executive of St Andrew’s Hospital, a large 250 bed private hospital in Adelaide. Stephen’s other Board roles include The Australian Council of Health Care Standards (ACHS) where he also Chairs their Middle East Board and their Finance and Audit Committee as well as a board member of ACHS International. Stephen is a Board member of the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA). Stephen has qualifications in Business (health management), Engineering and Accountancy and is a member of the AICD and a Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM).
Board Member since April 2024.
Ms Reena Costello is a legal practitioner with a Masters of Law from Columbia University in New York. Reena has practiced in commercial litigation in South Australia, and as an Attorney in New York with a focus on construction litigation. Reena has extensive experience in the Residential Aged Care Sector having been Legal Counsel and later Head of Operations & Regulatory Compliance for Premier Health Care where she oversaw the Group’s risk, compliance and workplace relations functions. Reena is a graduate of the AICD Company Directors Course and is a Board Member of Patch Theatre and the Aged Care Industry Association.
Members of our Executive Team have a range of qualities, qualifications and characteristics that enable us to deliver the best possible services for our clients.
The Executive Team are engaged, dedicated, professional and genuine. We are privileged to have such talent leading the charge; continuously striving for change and improvement.
CEO and Board Member since January 2019.
Chris joined Helping Hand as CEO in 2019. He has over 25 years of executive level leadership experience across various sectors including professional services, financial services and healthcare. His most recent position was as Managing Director of a leading SA professional services firm, Hood Sweeney, where he consulted extensively to clients on business growth, strategy and corporate governance.
Chris was a board member of Helping Hand for nine years and chaired the Finance & Property committee from 2012-2015. He is currently a SA regional committee member of the Winston Churchill Memorial Trust and a board member of Windmill Theatre. He has served on a range of other boards and committees, predominantly in the not for profit sector and is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. His qualifications include BSc (Hons); MBA; Diploma (AICD); Diploma of Financial Services; Level 1 Accredited Executive coach.
Chris is passionate about leadership and bringing his commercial and consulting expertise to ensure the growth and ongoing success of Helping Hand.
Chief Financial Officer
Neil O’Reilly joined Helping Hand as Chief Financial Officer in 2021. He has over 15 years of executive level leadership and senior financial experience across various sectors including professional services, mining, media and construction. His most recent position was as Chief Operating Officer of leading SA residential construction company, Rivergum Homes, where he supported the successful implementation of a renewed strategic direction.
Prior to this, Neil was with Nova Entertainment Group, where he oversaw the operations of the Nova 919 and FiveAA radio stations, following a successful period in senior finance roles within the Group. Neil is a Board member for SIDS & Kids SA, an SA based not for profit providing bereavement support and education services. Neil has also previously served on the Board of Brand SA. His qualifications include BCom; CPA; MBA. Neil brings his business acumen and commercial expertise to ensure the sustainable growth and long-term success of Helping Hand.
Executive Manager People, Culture and Quality
Natalie has had an extensive career across SA state government, employee advocacy and workers compensation. She has substantial knowledge and experience in all facets of this critical role including industrial relations, work health & safety, organisational development, people and performance and change management.
Natalie is a qualified lawyer, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, certified in ProSci change management and is currently doing her certification program with the Australian Human Resources Institute. She has served on several not-for-profit boards and committees and is joining Helping Hand to make a positive difference in an organisation that aligns true to her personal values.
Executive Manager Home Care Services and Housing
James joined Helping Hand in November 2022, bringing extensive experience working in the not-for-profit sector in aged care, disability and retirement living.
Prior to joining Helping Hand, James was the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Clayton Church Homes. His previous roles include: General Manager, Business Development, Masonic Homes, Head of Aged Care Strategy and Business Development at Anglicare and Chief Executive Officer at the MS Society of SA/NT.
Executive Manager Residential Services
Melinda joined us in 2021 from Eldercare, where she was the General Manager for the past three years overseeing all of their eleven metropolitan and regional sites. Prior to that she held senior Nursing Director roles in SA Pathology and at Flinders Medical Centre (Cancer & Ambulatory Services). She has exceptional skills in operational management, risk management, quality, clinical governance and is a highly accomplished clinician.
With a recently completed mini MBA and participation in a number of leadership development programs, Melinda is well placed to lead and further develop our team in the residential portfolio.
Executive Manager Strategy and Engagement
Samantha is the Executive Manager Strategy and Engagement at Helping Hand. She has extensive experience in aged care and local government and graduated from the University of South Australia with degrees in Marketing and Human Resources. With over 20 years’ experience in marketing and communications, her passion is to utilise consumer insights in the development of products and services. Samantha has a strategic mindset, and her broad experience has included the development of major brand campaigns, new products to market, environmental master-planning, project management and sponsorship.
Samantha fosters a collaborative and creative work environment that empowers her team to excel. She believes in cultivating a culture of collaboration and building strong relationships with stakeholders, including cross-functional teams, executive leadership, and external partners. At Helping Hand, Samantha has oversight of the marketing and communications unit, consumer engagement and partnerships, strategy support unit and the admissions team.