About me
I am the founder of Helen Sanderson Associates. I have worked in healthcare and social care for over 30 years and been immersed in the development of person-centered practices for the past 20 years. My PhD is on person-centered planning and organizational change. In 2016 HSA moved towards becoming a self-managed “Teal” organization, this meant me giving up my role as CEO and committing to the evolution of HSA’s purpose. Through H S A we have seeded two other organizations. The first was a new provider organization called Wellbeing Teams, to demonstrate self-management in health and care. The second is a I charity called Community Circles, seeking to create opportunities for people to come together and help each other to have better and more connected lives.
I have written over twenty books on person-centered thinking, planning, community and personalization. I am an altMBA alumni and coach, and a certified Dare to Lead™ Facilitator.
I live in the UK and have three daughters, Ellie, Laura and Kate. Although I am a black belt in karate, I now enjoy spending time practicing yoga and mindfulness meditation.
What others like and admire about me
- Thoughtful
- Inspirational
- Visionary
- Supportive
What's important to me
- To keep in touch every week with my three daughters, Ellie, Laura and Kate, by message and in person, and with my wider family through our family What’s App group. To see Ellie and my grandson Jacob every Monday.
- To stay connected to my sister Clare, messaging each week and meeting up once a month.
- To be and live with my partner Keith, by the sea in Rhosneigr.
- To be part of the community in the village, as part of the book club, festival group, ukulele group and Open Mic each month and connecting daily through the WhatsApp This includes leading the Rhosneigr Gin Company, and investing all profit back into the village.
- To meditate every day, do yoga each week with my friend Lucy, and run on the beach two or three times a week.
- To keep learning new skills and grow as a person. At the moment I am learning to play the Ukulele, and improving my skills in Compassionate Communication.
- To swim in the sea with the Pandemic Paddlers once or twice a month and Paddleboard when the sea is calm enough and it is warm (2 – 3 times a year!)
- To work three days a week, with my colleagues Michelle, Emily and Ben and see them in our weekly tactical meetings, and socially at least 4 times a year.
- To grow things – in my cold frames, garden and in the house – it brings me so much joy, and to have cut flowers for the house, every week if I can (bought or from the garden).
- To do work that feels like it makes a difference and be part of changing how people work together, and share what we are trying and learning on LinkedIn each week.
- To travel abroad a few times each year, for fun and for work, and work remotely for a month in January or August with Keith.
How best to support me
- Know that I get frustrated playing telephone tag. Text and emails work best for me, or booking a time for a call.
- Being on time matters to me, please don’t be late.
- Get back to me when you say you will, and meet deadlines we have agreed or let me know if this is not possible (before the deadline is missed).
- Know that I drown in detail, but love thinking of the big picture and strategy.
- Be upfront and straight with me – please don’t rely on me second guessing you or picking up hints. Please be frank and honest with me, especially if I have done something that has caused upset.