Finding Life
On the topic of Finding Life, I asked Aneta Banas our team Administrator to share a bit of her story.
Aneta has been part of our team for over a year now and it has been lovely to watch her ‘Finding Life’ amongst us.
Together: Giving All. Finding Life. Bringing Hope.
“‘SYC changed my life’. Some people might think this an overstatement, but if you’d known my life just 12 months ago – you’d agree. I went from a shy, self-conscious girl focusing her whole strength on her children only and forgetting her own life – to the strong, confident, outgoing woman, producing a newsletter for you every month! What happened, you’d ask?
Well, Fusion happened! I came across their ad for admin position on Reading Voluntary Action website and thought I’d give it a go. Even though Claire and Anika haven’t known me before, and looking at my CV, they could tell I had done little work experience for the last 7 years – they gave me a chance! They believed in me. They helped me to Find My Life.
First of all, I started going out into the community. I’ve made lots of new friends – people who live ‘just down the road’ and we’ve never ever chatted. I feel I’m a part of the community now, a proper community spirit – and feels so, so good.
Secondly, thanks to the new discovered confidence – I’ve joined the Whitley Researchers team. Not only that, I’m part of Wellness focus group planning with Food4Families AND have just been offered a temporary admin position with WCDA. And it’s all thanks to the Shift Youth and Community team, giving me a boost in life and letting me live my life a bit more to the full than I was.
Finally, its lovely the impact Claire and Anika have on my little girls: Natalia, aged 9 and Izabela, aged 3. Natalia’s clear favourite is Claire, she’s her role model and she won’t stop talking about her and planning their ‘dates’. Little Izabela in the meantime– adores Anika. With Anika’s natural talent with children (having 5 nieces!) she’s the best person in the world to play, eat crisps and watch an hour-long episode of Peppa Pig!
SYC changed my life – and I can say that proudly, confidently and most of all thankfully! I wouldn’t be where I am in my life right now, if it wasn’t for being part of this team. “
Our prayer is that at whatever level people engage with us, the interaction they have with us is life giving. We were created to exist in community and it’s as we do and share life together that we learn and grow into all that God made us to be.
SYC changed my life – and I can say that proudly, confidently and most of all thankfully! I wouldn’t be where I am in my life right now, if it wasn’t for being part of this team. “
