Onwards and upwards
Uniting AgeWell Lifestyle Manager Sharon Levey firmly believes that when life gets tough, you can either become a victim or grow stronger.
And Sharon is strong.
Now, after years of overcoming gruelling obstacles including juggling work, family and studying; and working relentless hours as a single mum, she’s loving her role in overseeing the lifestyle teams across Uniting AgeWell’s 20 residential facilities.
She’s also on a number of committees helping inform the organisation – the Dementia and the Diversity committees as well as playing a role in the spirituality framework area.
“I’m passionate about what I do. It’s a privilege to be able to make older people happy,” Sharon says simply. “I believe that the lifestyle teams are the heart and soul of every residential home, they help bring the joy and purpose to the residents’ days.”
Learning resilience
Sharon was the oldest of four children, raised in a single-parent family living on Struggle Street in Melbourne. She left school at the age of 15 and became an apprentice hairdresser to help her Mum feed and clothe the family.
Sharon continued on as a hairdresser, got married and had three children, and at the age of 32 started studying while working part-time. She completed her Year 12-equivalent (with honours) and went on to study for a Bachelor of Science, majoring in psychology.
“Coping with three little kids, a job and studying was a challenge,” she says. “I would have my nose in a text book while I waited outside the school to pick up my children.”
At the age of 39, when she found herself single, Sharon simply did what she has always done. She got on with it.
Following her passion
Sharon has always been drawn to older people. “I love their stories and hearing about their lives,” she says. “They have so many experiences and so much wisdom to share.”
So at the age of 40, Sharon decided to complete a Certificate IV in Aged Care and 13 years ago became a direct care worker. Sharon loved it, and knew that Aged Care was her calling. To make ends meet, Sharon also picked up shifts in the laundry, in the kitchen and in the lifestyle team, where she was quickly offered a position as a lifestyle coordinator. Sharon was later promoted to a supervisory position and eventually worked her way up to a senior managerial role.
“I worked seven days a week for many years,” Sharon says. “I wanted to ensure I earned enough so my kids did not miss out on anything, like dancing lessons or holidays.”
Nearly three years ago she joined Uniting AgeWell in her current role, and has not looked back. She’s happily remarried and life is pretty good.
Lessons learned
Sharon says the pandemic reinforced the vital role played by the lifestyle teams. “We cater to residents’ emotional, social and physical wellbeing,” she says. “We make sure the residents maintain a sense of themselves. I just wish the Government would recognise the significance of what we do, which is far greater than merely organising games of bingo.”
Because of the significance of the role, when recruiting staff Sharon looks for qualities that no amount of book learning can teach: compassion, passion and positive energy.
And throughout it all her philosophy remains unwavering. “Be true to yourself, and have faith that all things happen for a reason and you will get through the dark times.”
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