Anastasia Sadovaya is a case manager and Team Leader at St Simeon’s Health Care, and Coordinator of Home Care Services – and a 2018 Generation CommunitY Alumnus.
The annual Generation CommunitY leadership program for young people, delivered annually by Western Sydney Community Forum, is now in its third year; helping young leaders in developing knowledge, skills and goals toward a self-defined career in leadership and managerial positions.
Over 6 months, participants delve into discovering what motivates them in their work and aspirations, working on ways to constructively harness their strengths and work with any perceived limitations.
In an ordinary day, Anna is based both in her office and off-site, handling enquiries and organising access to home care services, including transport, shopping, cleaning, physiotherapy and occupational therapy visits, all of which help support people to live in their own homes.
“I enjoy my job because I enjoy helping people. Working in home care in the aged care sector I get to go out and meet people who either live on their own or are looked after by their families but need assistance. I enjoy liaising with different providers and being able to help people to live in their own homes.”
As a young leader, Anna says that one challenge has been in dealing with people who are older – both colleagues and clients. In her experience, Anna says there have sometimes been obstacles to a general acceptance or understanding that she has skills, experience and something to contribute.
Initially, Anna had expected the Generation CommunitY program to be a traditional style of sit-down, theory-focused course. The engaged, reflective component to the program was initially a challenge; however, Anna says the experience was invaluable in re-setting parameters in both her personal life and professional roles. She says there was significant value in the interactive vibe, and regularly meeting with other participants.
“It was very interesting for me to meet other young leaders, especially as I was the only one in the aged care sector. It was interesting to learn about the ways they work and the teams that they lead – particularly how they managed challenges in their own contexts.”
The singularity of this peer-workshop program is the collegiality forged by identifying your WhY, as a starting point for advancing future goals. Expressions of interest for 2018-19 are currently open. Contact WSCF for more information.
A huge thanks to Anna for sharing her thoughts and experiences.