Fancy a cuppa , Connect now 2

This is my dawn walk, if I've never posted it

I don't think anything identifies the area specifically, and it's not my suburb

But I do this walk daily. Rain, hail or shine

Oh @Judi9877 that is really bad about your roommate. I'm so sorry you're having to deal with all that.

I'll mention you in my prayers if that's okay, and hope your roommate helps you out at least financially.

I agree with @AlwaysMyself that your roommate is very lucky to have you. What happens if she doesn't have the money for ongoing storage? I hope you don't end up paying for it, that's not acceptable.

Hugs lovely 🫂

Sending hugs @Judi9877 sorry you haven’t felt very good tonight I hope tomorrow will be better. All those little kids are so lucky that you are knitting them clothes. You are so kind 💜, thanks for the check in, hope to speak with you next time you are on. Take care 🙏

Good morning @GezzaP

@Shaz51

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@Blackcloud wrote:

@Chasingsunsets Yes I got referred to the ‘volunteer engagement team’ so basically what that team does is that you get to have a 1:1 debrief with one of the supervisors that is part of that team, they basically give you (crisis supporters) some sort of coaching, and if necessary - let’s say if they find that you seem to have a wellbeing issue then they refer you to this program where you can get free counselling sessions.

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I had a chat with a supervisor from the volunteer engagement team yesterday evening and since then I’ve been feeling emotional about it…

that ONE critique he has given me (which was, “in no way am I going to criticise you for taking steps to protect yourself, but if it is at a point where you are ending chats that, by our processes, shouldn't be ended - we just can't have you on service, unfortunately. I trust you understand that and i know you don't inherently want to do it, it's just how you are reacting to these chats right now.“) was what got me feeling this way (the ones I highlighted in bold and underline were the things he said that TRIGGERED my emotions), as well as another thing he said which was “which we don’t want [my name], it’s not the supervisor’s guidance, it’s [the company] protocol” after I complained to him about supervisors telling me what to do that I don’t agree with, and it made me quite mad lol

guess the only way I can see those types of critiques, especially cause the role is webchat-based (not to mention, I had a peer worker from a different service asking me last time on why did I register for this role if it’s something I’m not happy about) is that if someone tells me in a way that they’re worried it’s not for me or something, then it makes me wanna do it even more (I hope), especially if its for in order to get some experience in a related role that I wanna do/pursue as my career.

@Chasingsunsets @ENKELI @AuntGlow @rav3n @heartathome @Cuddlebear @Judi9877

hey @Blackcloud! that's a tough one. it's hard when our personal views/expectations don't align with a company's protocol. i do see how sticking to company protocol is really important, especially from a safety and legal stance. at the same time, i hear how you were also just trying to stay safe too.

i'm glad you were given the opportunity to discuss this with the volunteer engagement team, but it sounds like it was a really tough convo especially with certain phrases triggering you. it's clear you've put a lot of thought into this and even picked up on which parts impacted you most - good on your for taking time to self-reflect on that!

how are you feeling now? are you wanting to give it another go and stick to protocol?

Thanks @rav3n ❤️
Yeah it feels good to share this and I do wanna try and continue being on service since it’s digital/webchat based. The good thing about volunteering or working in this communication platform is that because it’s webchat the consumers or help seekers you’re talking to don’t know what you look like and you don’t know what they look like either so for me it feels that being on the webchat is more secure in cases if you get help seekers saying something rude or even inappropriate/sexual/weird.

so yes I would like to have a try at handling potentially uncomfortable interactions in a way that doesn’t create the trigger for me but still able to ground myself through it…thick and thin (but then idk if I’ll be able to do that though). Unless if a help seeker was being outright abusive or inappropriate to you then we have a 3 tier approach that we use to warn them that they’re using the service inappropriately, and that if they continue after the second warning then we give them a last warning and end the chat. I haven’t had situations like that yet thankfully, but oh well, they will eventually come I guess the more I go on shift…

i love that you're willing to give it another go! @Blackcloud experiences like these can always be really great learning opportunities, and it looks like you've gained some more understanding around the company protocol/expectations as well as, understanding your own triggers and limitations!

it's totally okay to have ups and downs, it happens - the willingness to learn from it is what makes the difference 😊

you got this!! 💙

@rav3n thank you again ❤️ actually since those weekend shifts, I've been having a bit of doubts as to how I'm gonna continue to do the role and how I'm that type of person that overthinks things and is always looking for 'perfection' just to make consumers/clients/help-seekers happy when they speak to me because I'm scared that if I say something without overthinking that might lead to some of them replying a bit rudely or something, that's what I always worry about 😕

but at the same time I also learnt that trying to aim for ‘perfect’ responses can sometimes lead to help seekers not reacting to it pretty well, just like the consumer/client/help seeker I've spoke to on Saturday (this one)