I’ve recently decided to build ‘reflective’ time into my working week, to take stock of work ticked off the endless to do list, what I’ve learnt, the people I’ve met etc. It’s something that I hope will become a habit as it’s such a useful exercise to put things into perspective, identifying areas for improvement, good things, and the appreciation of others.
What has particularly resonated with me recently, is the time I’ve spent shadowing my colleagues whilst they’ve undertaken client assessments. These meetings aim to improve people’s health, wellbeing and independence by connecting them to community-based services and activities to overcome, for example, loneliness and isolation and practical and emotional barriers.
I’ve been moved by my colleague’s caring, understanding and at times light-hearted approaches when working with clients to identify the barriers that prevent them from engaging with their communities. It surprises me how resilient some people can be when dealing with for example a long-term condition. Determined not to allow their debilitating condition wear them down or beat them. I feel in awe in such company, particularly when the person’s sense of humour comes into it “I’ve got a brain, they discovered it during my brain surgery”.
When observing the assessments, they’ve resulted in me feeling lots of different emotions from sadness, frustration and hope. Hearing that the person’s friends stopped coming round after the diagnosis, resulting in the person becoming socially isolated – their whole social circle ending.
Such accounts make me more determined to do my bit to help make the Community Connect Service a success – ending social isolation and connecting people to their communities to receive the support they need, but to also enjoy the services, facilities and opportunities that are just on their doorstep.
On reflection, it’s not just in the client’s interest to connect to their community, the community can benefit from the people using the service. These people have so much to offer and contribute and are a true asset to our community.
