Side by Side with Volunteers
We, along with many groups and individuals, threw ourselves into this crisis by volunteering to do whatever we could. There were no interviews, no screening, or preparation, or safeguarding rules and regs to adhere to – we just ‘did it’. Fast forward to today and here we are, still doing ‘it’!
‘It’ for some is being on the ground either full time or for months at a time. For others ’it’ is doing what we can, when we can as we try and work, raise families, lead normal lives. Working with and talking to a number of volunteers over the years has inevitably raised some health issues. Feelings of ‘guilt’, ‘anger’, ‘not doing enough’, anxiety and sleeping issues were all mentioned, and also some more concerning thought processes. The mental health of humanitarian workers and volunteers is of vital importance both to themselves and to the people they are supporting. There is a lot of talk about burn out, and of trauma after ‘being on the ground’ for a prolonged period. Adjusting to normal life with family and friends becomes very difficult. Hearing all of this prompted research into who might be able to support those struggling to cope. We decided to introduce Side by Side Volunteers, a perfect complement to our main focus of providing aid. There are some amazing therapists, groups and individuals offering an array of services. Our objective is to offer suggestions and to signpost any Volunteer who feels they need help. This page is open to those who are able to promote their services.
So far we have supported people directly and indirectly and we are looking to develop this ’service’ more fully.
From 2016 - 2019 I did a lot of refugee work - working as a trustee with a charity, raising money, working with refugees in France and giving help and advice on line. By 2018 I knew it had got out of control and I was struggling to manage doing a full time high pressure job, do the volunteer work and be a single mum. I felt constant guilt that I wasn't doing enough in any of my roles.
I was also finding 'normal' life increasingly difficult. Ordinary conversation seemed meaningless, I felt guilt if I spent any money on my self and I isolated myself from work colleagues and friends. I felt 'full up' with other peoples' problems but at the same time guilt that I had an easy life.
Although I reduced my refugee work from 2019 by the beginning of 2020 I was suffering from nightmares, anxiety and panic attacks.
A series of events in my personal life brought things to a head and I reached out to SBS Volunteers. They put me in touch with an amazing therapist and we arranged to do Zoom sessions at times that fitted around my work. I've had a lot of therapy in the past but found it superficial plus the therapist had no understanding of the refugee situation so a lot of time was wasted with me having to explain things rather than dealing with my issues.
This therapist is different and I really feel like I'm now making progress. We are not just discussing my symptoms but exploring the issues that got me to where I was. While the therapy is not free and it is going to take time, I see it as an investment for the future.
