This final theme and topic explores the role of reflective practice in managing our own wellbeing. While often used as a tool for professional development, using a specific framework (Gibbs' Reflective Cycle), this recording explores how reflective practice can be used to reflect upon, understand and process the emotional upheaval that can come with this kind of work. Reflective Practice can be used to explore specific subjects and topics, and so the listener is invited to consider how, as a framework, it may support your practice in terms of:1) Nurturing and protecting your own wellbeing2) Self-care needs3) Self-awareness4) Motivation5) Managing boundaries6) Managing the potential harm in relationships with young people 7) Managing separations and endings within those relationships

Theme 4, Reflective Practice

This recording asks the listener to consider the role of endings, separations and goodbyes in their work with young people. We know that we won't work with them forever, but it doesn't ensure that the end of the relationship with them is free from discomfort or emotional unease of discomfort, for them or us. This topic helps you to anticipate, manage and process endings, in whatever shape or form they come, and especially sudden and unresolved endings which can actually leave a deep emotional imprint. You'll learn how to make the endings as kind for yourself, as well as the young people you work with, to understand and honour your own 'recovery needs' as you experience the unacknowledged grief that often comes with the end of a relationship with a young person or group.

Theme 3, Protecting Myself and Others: "Separations and Endings"

This recording explores how readily our psychological states as humans impact others, to the point where we may be considered 'emotionally contagious'; in other words, we can absorb their emotional states, as they can absorb ours. This occurs beyond our conscious awareness, and has inevitable implications for those of us who work with emotionally vulnerable young people.The inherent danger is that we take on worries, pressures and emotional burdens that are beyond our remit or control, our vulnerable young people can then begin to absorb the impacts of those increased stressors - all while neither we, nor them, have any awareness of this happening. This topic explores how to practice with greater awareness around this area, and in particular how to maintain your own emotional buoyancy - and thus supporting young people's - especially when we are overstretched, under-equipped, and prone to carrying the weight of responsibilities or expectations that we aren't in a position to take on (even if we want to).

Theme 3, Protecting Myself and Others: "The Potential For Harm" 

Exploring the interactive relationship between our own wellbeing and that of the young people we work with, this theme starts by looking at the all-important role of boundaries; do we have them? Why? Why do we know we're implementing them? When are they are risk? What do we need to do to protect them better? Most importantly, we'll explore how we can feel better about ourselves and our work, while fostering healthy and trusting relationships with our most vulnerable young people when we manage our boundaries effectively.

Theme 3, Protecting Myself and Others: "Boundaries"

This recording helps the listener to explore their own motivators and better understand what this means for their wellbeing, e.g. how to engage in the activities which energise you and avoid, where possible, those which drain you. You'll better understand how to play to your strengths so you can give the most to your role, as well as get the most from it -because that matters too!

Theme 2, Strengthening My Sense Of Self: "My Motivators" 

This theme explores the how a strong sense of self, e.g. our sense of identify and 'who we are', not just 'what we do', supports our wellbeing. Self-awareness can be hugely supportive, ensuring that we know and understand ourselves and our own unique ways of interpreting and interacting with the world, and this recording explores our emotional worlds, in particular understanding what triggers us, and how we can respond to and manage those triggers, rather than just feeling that others or circumstances which are beyond our control are in the driving seat.

Theme 2, Strengthening My Sense Of Self: "Becoming More Self Aware"

Self-care can feel self-indulgent, tokenistic and a waste of time. But it's way more than bubble baths and relaxing music, and is in fact essential for practitioners who support vulnerable young people (or adults) in their work. Based on the 'Self-Care Wheel', this recording explored how this simple framework can help you meaningfully define what 'self-care' means for you, and practice it in ways which firstly work for you, and secondly help you to pro-actively protect your wellbeing, rather than just reacting to psychological challenges as they arise.

Theme 1, My Wellbeing Matters Too: "Demystifying Self-Care"

This recording helps you to think about what 'wellbeing' means to you, what elements of it are changeable or dynamic, and how you can support and strengthen your wellbeing, not only when you are struggling emotionally, but in ways which make you less likely to encounter wellbeing challenges, or make you more resilient to handle it when you do.

Theme 1: My Wellbeing Matters Too: "Nurture & Protect" 

Welcome to the LCVYS Staff &amp; Volunteer Wellbeing Programme Podcast, hosted by Jo Stockdale from Well Within Reach and edited by Michael Wing | Lincswebdev

Welcome to our podcast

Tune in to this recording for an introduction to LCVYS's resources which are designed to support and strengthen the wellbeing of staff and volunteers working for organisations within the LCVYS membership. 'Wellbeing' is about far more than taking time out, staying positive, and deep breathing our way through stress; hence why we've created this programme. Made up of a series of recordings, with optional accompanying PDFs, this 'Pick 'n' Mix' approach allows you to identify the issues that are affecting you (and which have a knock-on effect on your young people), and enables you to select specific strategies and actions to support your individual wellbeing needs at that time. This introductory recording will give you the wider context why your wellbeing matters, especially if you are supporting emotionally vulnerable people, outlining not only the topics within the programme, but why they matter. The recordings are designed to be used as audio-files only, so if you prefer not to watch, feel free to listen along (to all of the recordings, not just this one!) while you drive to work, do your housework, cook dinner or walk the dog! The choice is yours.

LCVYS Staff & Volunteer Wellbeing Programme podcast

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