The last few months has been stretched us all. We have been dealing with the unknown and adjusting to the new realities. We have also seen how resourceful and resilient people can be. Showing kindness and compassion. Being flexible, thinking creatively and not being afraid of stepping into the unknown has also given us the opportunity to learn and be stewards of doing things differently. Creating a culture of wellbeing at work is crucial to supporting staff and the organisation to be at their full potential to serve the community. Local and National Civil Society Organisation are often working in complementarity with their governments to respond to the needs of the most vulnerable in their community.  They are often frontline responders and they have provided real leadership in the COVID 19 crisis in the Global South. They are responding by providing information about needs on the ground to providing food and to the most affected in the lockdowns and livelihood support.

Their staff and volunteers are under tremendous pressure to respond and provide support, they are also exposed to high levels of risks of infection and do not always have access to the protective equipment. The wellbeing of their staff is at the forefront of the minds of leaders of local and national NGOs. Most of the time they do not have access to special support services for their staff. This programme is designed to address the needs identified by A4EP members and other local and national CSOs.During the last few months many local organisations have been responding with their staff exposed to risks of Covid 19. working with their frontline staff who are raising awareness, providing lifeline to people in the communities. In many countries they have been the essential workers alongside, health workers, sanitary workers, drivers, shopkeepers and others. This places an enormous stress and strain on their well being.

On request of local leaders Smruti together with Being at Full potential coach Harmen Van Dijk have been facilitating wellbeing sessions with 15 members of the senior management team of ECOWEB, Phillippines based NGO. The sessions was delivered remotely through interactive technology. It comprised of discussion sessions around the different Being States from the Being at Full Potential framework. Developed and tested first in the private sector, GMI is now also introducing approach to local/national not-for-profit sector. The ‘Human Potential’ frameworks start with exploring the four Being States: 1) Being inspired, 2) Being Abundant 3) Being in Service and 4) Being aware. In each state we explore the deeper dimensions of behaviours and attitudes which are levers that can open up reflections and discussions leading to change. The session also includes short informative sessions on wellbeing and exercises and techniques that people can take away and practice. Different facilitators provided a safe space for discussion and providing their expertise. The sessions have included poetry, songs, dancing and exercises and lots of laughter.

Here are some of the poems that have inspired discussions:

The Guest House

 By Rumi

This being human is a guest house

Every morning a new arrival.

Joy, depression, meanness,

Some momentary awareness comes

As an unexpected visitor,

Welcome and entertain them all!

Even if they are crowd of sorrows,

Who violently seep your house

Empty of its furniture,

Still treat each guest of honourably

He may be clearing you out

For some new delight

The dark thought, the shame, the malice

Meet them at the door laughing and invite them in

Be grateful for whatever comes

Because each has been sent

As a guide from beyond.

 For Katrina’s sending

 Henry Van Dyke

Time is too slow for those who wait

Too swift for those who fear

Too long for those who grieve,

Too short for those who rejoice

But for those who love

Time is eternity

Radical Gratitude Spell

Adrienne Maree Brown

a spell to cast upon meeting a stranger, comrade or friend working for social and/or environmental justice and liberation:

you are a miracle walking

I greet you with wonder

in a world which seeks to own

your joy and your imagination

you have chosen to be free,

every day, as a practice.

I can never know

the struggles you went through to get here,

but I know you have swum upstream

and at times it has been lonely

I want you to know

I honor the choices you made in solitude

and I honor the work you have done to belong

I honor your commitment to that which is larger than yourself

and your journey

to love the particular container of life

that is you

you are enough

your work is enough

you are needed

your work is sacred

you are here

and I am grateful