In the summer of 2023, during a staff appraisal, a colleague and I were reflecting back on the previous year. We both agreed that it had been the most difficult year we had experienced (in our combined 30 years in the service) in terms of the degree and extent of stress, distress and mental health struggles we were witnessing within the wider team we worked with.
This quickly led to a decision that we would commit to trying to do something helpful and supportive, in the hope we might alleviate this, at least in some small way.
Truth is, we didn’t necessarily have a particularly clear idea of how… but it wasn’t long before some basic session plans focusing on the theme of ‘stress’ had been put together so there was at least some framework to work with. Covering things like what it is, how it manifests, the risks of long-term stress etc.
We also committed to some key principles from the outset:
- Participation would be entirely voluntary
- Sessions would not descend into a place where we get together and moan or complain about things (we do plenty of that already, and it rarely helps!)
- We were not claiming to be able to “fix” things for people – and rather than focus on the specific stressors in much detail, we would work on how, as individuals, we respond to them (this quickly led to the development of a model to guide discussions.)
- The sessions/discussions would be undertaken with the sense of good faith – no hierarchy of expertise, no hidden agenda, just mutual respect and an underlying desire to see if the process in itself might prove to be supportive
It became apparent in the first few meetings that the sessions seemed to be well received – attendance was constantly high and feedback was very positive. The sessions have now become a well-established aspect of the service and have run at a rate of roughly one every 4 to 6 weeks for the last 2 and a half years.
We have stuck to the underlying principles mentioned above and some key themes have emerged, which also help us in terms of steering a course forward. These are outlined below:
Connection
Primarily the opportunity to pause and connect with each other through reflecting and acknowledging the difficult and demanding job we all do, as well as how we are effectively in it together. But also, connection to our values associated with why we do the work and connection to here and now – an important antidote to the stress attached to all the competing demands and the long to do lists!
Responsibility
Rather than looking at what we think needs to change externally (i.e. trying to fix the stressors or looking at what other people/agencies should or shouldn’t be doing), focus instead on what we, as individuals, can do to help with our stress and wellbeing, and what changes we may be able to make in the service of this.
Awareness
Attendees are encouraged to hit the pause button and practice noticing - noticing what is happening internally when feeling stressed and pressured. With greater awareness comes increased likelihood of making different choices.
Mind-Body
Focus is given to how the mind and body (or how thoughts, feelings, emotions and physical sensations) interplay. We also consider the autonomic nervous system – how chronic stress can be a consequence of modern/busy lives, and the impact this has in terms of physical and mental wellbeing.
Purpose
We give considerable time and space to the theme of purpose - using time to reflect on what is important to us as individuals, and also as a team, and why we do the work we do. Staff are encouraged to discuss values and reflect on aspects of the work that are constant with this.
The model and other tools that have been used and developed are outlined below
The next phase of sessions is being rolled out in the coming months. The main difference being that people are being invited to opt in to a more ‘closed’ group (for the time being).
There will be a series of shorter but more frequent sessions for this group to share with each other, and how they have used any of the tools/model in their own work/lives.
The hope is that this approach will:
- Increase positive impact on participants
- Gather momentum and become sustainable without the need for me, as a facilitator, to coordinate
- Be something that can be shared in between sessions
- Attract others who have not yet opted to become involved
Below are also some quotes from staff who have attended sessions regularly…
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“As a Substance Misuse Recovery Worker, I am, like my colleagues, exposed to the personal traumas of clients on a daily basis. Wellbeing sessions really support the mental and physical health of myself, as an individual, in order to maintain self-awareness of stress and when to use the techniques and knowledge learnt from these sessions.
The sessions are of great benefit on a work and personal level and also ultimately benefit service users, as the knowledge gained is transferable to them from a professional perspective. It has taught me to remind myself of the importance of preserving myself in order to perform better in my role and ultimately give service users the best support I can give. I have never had this level of support in previous employment in this field of work, so feel privileged that this is available to me and make time in my calendar to attend.”
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“I have attended 3 of your wellbeing sessions and have always found them extremely useful and an opportunity to realign my ‘What am i doing this for’. I leave the sessions feeling energised and motivated to strive in contributing to making The Recovery Hub the best drug and alcohol service. I find the sessions often refresh my knowledge though for RW’s I assume the knowledge learnt is invaluable. I look forward to being a part of the new structured wellbeing sessions moving forward.”
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“Joining this wellbeing group has been a deeply personal and enlightening journey. From the very first session, it was clear that the environment was crafted to be both safe and intentional, allowing for a level of honesty that is hard to find elsewhere.
What I appreciated most was the philosophy of the group: it isn’t about “fixing” problems. Instead, the focus is on exploring different ways to look at the stress that impacts our daily lives. This approach took the pressure off and allowed for genuine reflection.
Through shared dialogue and quiet insight, as a group we are gaining a new toolkit for navigating challenges—not by making them disappear, but by changing how I relate to them. This group is a sanctuary for anyone looking to understand their own mental landscape with more compassion and clarity combining mindfulness and presence.”