Community Service Workers attend Wellbeing Workshop

A second successful Wellbeing workshop was held at Humanity Place in Brisbane last week for Australian Red Cross Community Service Workers.

The 5 Realm Wellbeing Model I have developed for identifying and implementing Wellbeing strategies for Community Service workers and the organisations they work in was once again tested out by another group of interested and very keen Red Cross staff. By the end of the morning everyone had developed their own Wellbeing Action Plan.

The workshop included exploration and discussion on what Wellbeing looks like, how this manifests in the workplace and what barriers present. Very specific issues were identified for those working in community services roles. Working with individuals and families with very complex needs requires workers to have a consistent level of wellbeing to sustain this type of complex work with clients.  This is one of the reasons I have developed the Wellbeing model, as I believe this to be a practical and effective tool for community service workers to build the resilience and increased wellbeing needed for the important jobs they do.

The workshop participants explored each of the 5 Realms of the model, which are based on holistic concepts and also the research done by NEF, who were commissioned by the UK Government to identify a set of evidenced- based actions to improve wellbeing  a few years ago.

I included some simple self-help techniques and exercises throughout the workshop that people found very useful (the super food snacks were popular!). Everyone provided really helpful feedback so I can keep improving the model. Thanks to all who came along and also to Red Cross in Queensland for supporting the workshop.

What participants had to say about the Wellbeing Workshop…

“Thank you Anna for delivering such a great and useful workshop. It is a healthy reminder of self-care in the workplace and in our personal lives. I highly recommend this workshop for all workplaces” Claire Dunglison, Caseworker

 “It was great to identify the 5 realms of wellbeing. They are very realistic and doable. It is great that the framework identifies the different systems in a person that influence wellbeing in general, but also in the workplace” Alex Ruiz

“All aspects of the workshop were very useful and connected me with me. I thank you Anna for bringing this self-awareness in me, in a kind way” Manjusha Gupta, Caseworker

“Lots of ah ha moments! Thank you so much” Jen

“The practical techniques to switch on the brain were very useful” Alhajie Kanu, Caseworker

 “Very useful in assessing my personal and organisational work practices and developing ideas for improvement. Thanks Anna!”  Christine, Caseworker

A Mindful Walking Meditation

Walking the Labyrinth 

The ancient and sacred practice of walking the Labyrinth is a wonderful moving meditation experience. I was very fortunate to be able to join the Woodfloria team under the guidance of Linda to participate in this seven circle traditional Labyrinth walk earlier this week.

The Labyrinth is a single path that leads in to a central point then leads back out.  To walk or follow the path of the labyrinth is an experience that can reveal the metaphors of your current path in life, bring you in to the centre of mindfulness, and present opportunities for self-reflection. Walking the Labyrinth is very calming on the mind and emotions. Everyone commented how calm and centred they felt afterwards. I have always enjoyed moving meditations, and felt a wonderful flowing feeling as I walked the Labyrinth.

Thanks goes to Woodfloria and also Linda, who kindly facilitated the morning. Another Labyrinth walk is planned in the coming months and will be held in the Woodford area. Please contact Woodfloria http://www.woodfloria.com.au or myself for further information.

A mindful practice you could try at home or in your workplace for increased balance and wellbeing…

Take 3 slow deep breaths and then trace the Labyrinth diagram shown (below) with the finger of your non dominant hand.  

Walking the Labyrinth - Woodford

Staff Wellbeing - Relaxation Meditation sessions

One story of my experience that inspires my next step...

In 2011 I started a 20 minute relaxation meditation session once a month in my workplace. I was amazed how many people turned up, the levels of stress people were experiencing and how much people needed and wanted this type of stress management.

I remember one of the staff (we will call her Jill), who was quite an abrupt woman, was not particularly friendly to others in the workplace, and obviously under stress. Jill came to the session having never meditated before, and was completely open to the session.  She had a profound experience that she described as a deep peace and an opening of her heart. From that day on she had a complete change in attitude and behaviour at work, which was noticeable to other staff who remarked on the positive change and interaction. Jill continued to attend the meditation sessions and also took up yoga and meditation at home.

Three years on and the meditation sessions are still regularly attended and valued by staff.

I gained some funding to create a CD to give access to staff from remote areas to these meditations and also for use if I was unavailable to run the meditation session in person.

This is one of my stories that has inspired me to create a range of Wellbeing workshops, Supervision packages, and training to support Human Services organisations and their workers to maintain the balance needed to carry out the important work they do.

Red Cross staff participating in one of the Wellbeing relaxation sessions. 2014.