My job is to identify where there are opportunities for development

Both Elin and her partner Henrik are from Åland, and the idea of moving back after work and studies in Sweden has always been there. Before Elin's position as development manager came up, Henrik got a job at the insurance company Ömsen. He therefore moved ahead of time, and then Elin followed. The couple now rents a cottage in the archipelago municipality of Vårdö, which is also Elin's home municipality.

- Here we have family, friends, and the opportunity to be out in nature and the forest!

Varied work tasks

The elderly care service in Mariehamn includes, among other things, the city's care homes Odalgården and Trobergshemmet, as well as the home care service. As a development manager, Elin works partly administratively with recruitment and training for the staff, and partly strategically with development issues and improvement work for the entire operation.

- My job is to identify where there are opportunities for development. I alternate between office work and being out in the units to observe and listen to the staff. 

Elin is trained as a practical nurse, having graduated from Åland's vocational school. She then moved to Sweden for further studies. First a bachelor's degree in health promotion at Luleå University of Technology, followed by a master's degree in public health science at Uppsala University.

An important link

Elin has only been working at her new workplace for a few months, but she feels that there are many improvement initiatives underway and that there are opportunities and a strong will within the City of Mariehamn to invest in elderly care.  
- My role includes ensuring that our clients receive the help they need and that no one falls through the cracks in the boundary between healthcare and social care. 

Much of the work involves functioning as a support function and being receptive and listening to the needs that exist.
- Then it's up to management to prioritize what we take forward. It's also important to consider what conditions those who work closest to the clients have for implementing changes. They manage the daily operations and are already carrying a heavy load – it's easy to get enthusiastic and want too much.

She also gains insight and understanding by sitting in when the assistant unit managers have meetings. There is a wealth of collective knowledge here about the clients and the various units.
- Then I escalate the issues further if needed – I have a good dialogue with the elderly care manager.

Short decision-making pathways

The small scale of Åland brings new opportunities. Elin finds it positive that decision-making pathways are shorter and that it is easier to build relationships with key people. Sometimes it is also an advantage that the public sector works a little more slowly.
- When things are allowed to take time while more people think through the same issues, the end result is often better too.

As a recruiter, however, she wishes the validation process through the Supervisory Authority for new staff from Sweden and other countries were smoother. 
- For us, it's an important issue that we're always working on. For those applying, it's important to contact the Supervisory Authority well in advance.

What matters in life

The best thing about Åland is otherwise the proximity to the sea, nature, and socializing. Elin also wants to highlight Åland as a place with many opportunities, not just in healthcare and social care.
- When I mention that I'm from Åland, I notice that many people are unaware of the breadth that exists here, with many different industries and job opportunities, regardless of educational background. 

She also sees the peace and security, good schools and care, as well as many opportunities for activities and community life as great advantages of Åland. 

- Here you can live a simple and fulfilling life, and it's also easier to recharge.

A great sense of community

Before Elin moved to Sweden, she was involved in the voluntary fire brigade and the first aid group. 
- Now I'm taking it easy to start with, but we'll see what I pick up again!

Otherwise, both Elin and Henrik enjoy life on Vårdö and are happy to promote living in the municipality.
- It's a small community that is welcoming and has a great sense of togetherness. When everyone pitches in and contributes a little of their free time and skills, it makes a huge difference for a small municipality. Right now, for example, I'm sitting on the recruitment group for a new elderly care manager in Vårdö. 

Unlike most others who move to Åland, Elin has actually increased her commute time. What used to be a quarter of an hour by bike to work now takes an hour by car.

- But it's still worth it! Henrik and I often commute together, and sometimes several friends carpool with us. It makes it more enjoyable and less costly!