Helping the Helper

A new exciting opportunity has risen in the Derbyshire area for all third sector companies looking for clinical supervision and support. Inspirative Arts, in conjunction with Relate, Staywell Derby and South Derbyshire CVS would like to proudly present Helping the Helper.

The third sector has evolved because individuals and communities have coalesced around a passion for helping service beneficiaries, and as such our focus is generally on the wellbeing of service users and wider communities. While the results of our hard work and passion for helping others is inspiring, many care sectors find that the wellbeing of our third sector workers and volunteers can slip through the cracks. This has become more pressing in the aftermath of covid-19, with Awan et al. (2022) urging the healthcare community to address the mental health needs of health care workers, and Shreffler, Petrey & Huecker (2020) emphasising that to ensure continued quality care, our workers must be encouraged to look after their mental health.

Helping the Helper (HtH) is a pilot project that aims to become a sustainable network of support for anyone working in the third sector. HtH provides a range of services that can be catered towards a company’s trustees, their employees and volunteers, or a combination of the two. It is hoped that this project will enable our workforce to stay healthy and well; ensuring safe, effective service delivery and reducing staff absence and turnover.

For trustees HtH offers a one-day course for trustees and anyone considering becoming a trustee. It equips members of trustee boards with the knowledge and expertise required to successfully fulfil the role of a trustee and to support staff and volunteers. Key content is based on Charity Commission information and includes guidance on trustee roles and responsibilities, legislation, policies and procedures. How to recruit, support and retain volunteers is an optional part of the programme which includes the early identification of stress. An optional self-development section encourages delegates to consider how they might best fulfil the roles of trustee and develop their organisation.

For employees and volunteers we offer clinical supervision, along with wellbeing and therapy sessions for individuals and groups. Supervision is run by HCPC and ADMP registered therapists, and provide a safe space for employees and volunteers to discuss their experiences within their work’s context and receive support and guidance that prioritises both their mental and emotional wellbeing, and the work they produce.

Wellbeing and therapy groups are for workplace teams to bring their work-related challenges and explore possibilities that enable the team to work together cohesively, reducing stress and burnout and increasing support and understanding amongst colleagues. Groups may explore the challenges through art, movement, music or drama.Thanks to NHS Charities Together, HtH has funding that can help make our services accessible, no matter what your budget is. If you want to discuss our services further, please email us at info@inspirativearts.co.uk.