JULIAN SPORNE
Assistant Manager, Resthaven Community Respite Services, Adelaide, SA
After a career in finance and taxation, I have found my niche.
If you have compassion for others, an understanding of how important it is to respect a person’s individuality and are looking for a rewarding career, I encourage you to consider making the move to aged care. You won’t regret it.
In my role as Assistant Manager at Resthaven Community Respite Services, I work with a small but dedicated team of people who provide respite care to older people and their carers in the community. We have three respite cottages, Hersey Cottage, Ridgway House, and Lane Cottage, spread across Adelaide.
After 25 years working in the finance industry, and 15 years at the Australian Tax Office, in 2014, I changed direction and became a Home Support Worker. This role provided me the privilege of supporting older people to achieve their personal goals and maintain their independence. My duties included personal care, house cleaning, laundry, washing dishes and meal preparation. Other times, I provided social support through interaction with groups, or through day and overnight programs at one of our cottages. It felt like I had found the perfect job for me.
In 2017, I applied for the position of Assistant Manager at Resthaven Community Respite Services and was successful. My days are a really good mix between helping people directly and administration. I interact with clients most days. I love talking to people and assisting them to achieve their goals. I also spend time planning and organising, which I am also passionate about. Another perfect job!
I work with some amazingly creative people who resonate as a team, because they all have a passion for working with the elderly.
It has been a huge culture shift working in the Aged Care sector, but I am pleased that I made the move. It is a huge privilege working with people in the twilight of their lives and listening to their stories. It makes no difference if the person is a doctor, politician, homemaker, or just a regular person, down the street, I love hearing their precious life stories.
I have worked for some great businesses and organisations in the past, and it is no different within Resthaven, where I have witnessed really inspirational leadership and the utmost professionalism.
Resthaven is committed to developing my potential and has a strong leadership program, that supports my goals. In addition to Certificate III in Aged Care, I have completed short courses through Dementia Training Australia, and the University of Tasmania. I even spent a few weeks volunteering in a palliative care area of a hospital in Kenya.
I am considering studying an Advanced Diploma of Community Sector Engagement supported with assistance from Resthaven’s Professional Development Fund.
Working in Aged Care has exceeded my expectations in so many ways. It is beyond what I thought the role would involve and how it would make me feel.
This is an encore career with heart!
