Tarentaal Village’s much-loved social worker, Lynn-Marie Barrow, stepped into a new role as deputy manager, effective August 2025.
Lynn, who joined Tarentaal in August 2024 after six years at a frail care centre, says the transition is eased by the fact that she will continue to serve as social worker while also taking on her new managerial responsibilities. “Because I love the social work aspect of the job so much, I am fortunate enough to continue in that post while serving the Village as the deputy manager. Management has put into place an additional person who will assist with admin tasks,” she explains.
Looking back on her first year at Tarentaal, Lynn reflects on the strong bonds she has built with residents. “What stands out for me as the Tarentaal social worker is the level of gratitude that the residents portray for any assistance that they receive. For many, their loved ones have moved overseas, and they do not always have someone who can assist them, and this is when they rely on the social worker to step in.”
Away from work, Lynn finds joy and balance through her passions – including dancing, gardening and spending time with her family. Her three-year-old dog, Oreo, keeps her active with daily walks, while her granddaughter, 18-month-old Azriella, brings playful energy to weekends. “We roll on the grass, kick and catch balls, and fly kites – this keeps me young and my heart happy,” she says with a smile.
As she takes on her new leadership role, Lynn has a clear vision for the village’s future. “I would love to see Tarentaal become the retirement centre of choice for people who want to rent in Johannesburg. I hope to fill all vacant units, shorten the waiting list, and keep residents as independent as possible for as long as possible, thereby avoiding the high turnover that we currently experience in our units.”
Armed with a Bachelor of Social Science from Rhodes University (1992) and decades of experience in the field, Kensington resident Lynn is excited to continue serving Tarentaal with both compassion and leadership.
