How did you get started as a Center Coordinator at Enable Ireland Adult Services in Sandyford, Dublin?

I joined Enable Ireland Adult Service in Sandyford three years ago. I started as a support worker, then progressed to team leader and earlier this year I was promoted to center coordinator.

Why did you choose to work with Enable Ireland?

Before joining Enable Ireland, I worked in the health and fitness sector and ran my own personal training business. At the time I was running a gym in Sandyford and some of my clients were people with physical or intellectual disabilities. I found this work really enjoyable and rewarding. I actually worked with a client who took Enable Ireland for personal training. It was the highlight of my day, so I knew it was an industry I would love to work in.

During Covid, when gyms were closed, I went back to university and did a degree in social care. This put me on track to apply for the role of Support Officer at Enable Ireland. I also have a family member who used to attend Enable Ireland, so I have always heard very positive stories about their work.

What is the role of the center coordinator?

I used to run my own business and the role of Center Coordinator is similar in that you need to be able to make decisions, use your own initiative and just get things done! There can be a lot of logistics around, organizing service owners to get to and from our Sandyford center. Manage group activities and 1:1 activities that people want to do. Liaise with families and build networks in the community. This last element is really essential because we want to participate in our local community as much as possible. You absolutely must have good interpersonal skills for this role! Ultimately, my job is to make sure everyone is safe and happy.

What is the best part of your job?

Without a doubt, the best part of my job is getting to know the service owners and their families. I am part of a team that is here to help them live more fulfilled lives and achieve their goals.

Is there a career moment that you are particularly proud of?

I’m really proud of the connection we’ve made with Fitzwilliam Lawn Tennis Club. Service owners can come to the club once a week to take tennis lessons with club members. This has been really beneficial for the service owners, they have learned new skills, had the opportunity to stay fit and made fantastic social connections. The Tennis Club also made a generous donation of €20,000 which was put to good use in our service!

What is the best professional advice you have received?

Never ask someone to do something that you are not prepared to do yourself. I think it’s really important to lead by example. As a manager, you must be willing to engage with your team. The second best advice I’ve received is to trust your instincts, it’s usually true!

If you could go back in time and give yourself one piece of advice early in your career, what would it be?

Don’t take yourself too seriously! I think my younger self would get upset too easily. Now I’m a little more relaxed and know we can usually work things out.

What advice would you give to someone considering interviewing for a role with Enable Ireland?

I think it’s really important to do your research about the organization and the role you’re interviewing for. Determine the qualities and experience you can bring to this role, then be confident in yourself and your abilities.

What do you think are the key skills and abilities needed to be good at what you do?

You must have very good interpersonal skills and be a good communicator in this role. Multitasking is absolutely essential because there is always more than one thing going on every day! Having a sense of humor is also important.

What is the best career lesson you have learned so far?

Make sure you have a good work-life balance. You must be able to set boundaries between your professional life and your personal life. Emergencies are emergencies and you will always be there for those situations, but you also need to know how to switch off at the end of a busy day. My experience at Enable Ireland is that management is very supportive of its staff and has a flexible approach and a strong culture of support for the health and wellbeing of staff. This approach is really important and appreciated by staff.

What do the Enable Ireland team like to work with?

I work in a great team with Enable Ireland. We have recently recruited many new employees and are currently going through our full onboarding process with them. They bring lots of new skills and we are really lucky to have an excellent multidisciplinary team here including nurses, an occupational therapist, a PCP (Person Centered Planning) coordinator and a physiotherapist in addition to support workers. We all get immense job satisfaction from working together to help people become more independent.

Enable Ireland is a leading national voluntary organization providing essential services to 13,000 children and adults with disabilities and their families. They are currently recruiting for a variety of clinical, therapeutic and support roles nationally across their children’s and adult services. Join the dynamic team at Enable Ireland and make a difference to the lives of children and adults with disabilities. To apply online today, visit www.enableireland.ie/careers