by Jess Dyson, PBS Lead
As part of our commitment to making our DNA work in practice we have developed new Everyone Everywhere profiles for staff and people supported by MacIntyre. They make space to think about what you’re good at, what you love doing, who you know locally and how you might like to help your local neighbourhood. Knowing these things about yourself and each other and thinking more deeply about them is going to help us embed the Everyone Everywhere way of working and achieve our MacIntyre Purpose.
Jess Dyson, new Positive Behaviour Support Lead, used the profiles for the first time recently in Greater Manchester, and tells us more.
Getting to know each other
We used the new Everyone Everywhere profile as part of a team meeting with a completely new staff team. We were all new to MacIntyre and new to each other. Some of us are new to the area and have just moved here; some have lived locally for a while.
The profile worked really well because it gave a nice opportunity for people to share information about themselves and get to know each other and our local neighbourhood.
Feeling part of something
The thing that was really lovely was the feedback about what the teams were doing in their local neighbourhoods. It was really lovely to hear about how people helped those around them. It’s the little things that make a difference and make people feel part of something. The things we do every day and don’t really think about. The team told us;
I put my neighbours' bins out
I help with the DIY and gardening to make my area look good
I look out for collective needs within the community
I share resources with other people around me
I help with litter picking
I pick up my neighbour's mail
I volunteer at the local school
I volunteer at my local library helping signpost people to information they need
I volunteer at the mosque
I help with the admin at the local community centre
I give people a bright smile
I am good at giving directions
I listen to and encourage my neighbours
I go for tea and shopping with my older neighbour whose family live far away
Laughter and connections
There were opportunities to laugh and connect as we got to know each other. We talked about the things we love doing: listening to music, getting things done, keeping others safe, making friends, dancing, being happy, cooking, being involved, simplifying things, woodwork, gardening, creating memories, following history, taking photos, trying new things.
What we're good at
I think that the hardest question that people struggled with was “What am I good at”. When you ask that question people can feel awkward. But the team helped each other to think about it and shine a light on each other’s strengths: listening, motivating others, critical thinking, socialising, making things, engaging people, creating, housework.
All new together
The session worked so well because we are all new together and it was important to get to know each other and start with and share those positive things that we may not have ever found out about each other.
Compassion First Positive Behaviour Support
We also heard from Sarah Kilby, our PBS and Complex Support Manager:
Our Compassion First Positive Behaviour Support framework supports people who draw on us for support to overcome barriers to learning and engagement to live #Gloriously Ordinary Lives.
When people we support have experienced trauma, and when they use behaviours that may cause us concern to communicate this and other needs, the first building block of our trauma-assumed approach is to build trust and rapport - the foundations of all positive relationships.
The outcome Jess has achieved here is to start that process where it really matters, with the team itself. When a team is connected in this way then they develop compassion for each other. A compassion that naturally filters and embeds into the support they provide for the people who draw on us for support.
