28 November 2024

“Can I have a bearded dragon?” What William’s question reveals about attitudes to social care

Member Spotlight: Julie McNeill, Visual Storyteller at C-Change, on why the charity’s work, like all of social care and support, means seeing the extraordinary in supposedly ‘ordinary’ lives

There’s a temptation to think that social care is something that happens ‘over there’, separate from the reality of the majority of the population’s daily lives. The truth is that all of us may be in contact with social care: this may be as a supported person, a family carer, an employee or volunteer or member of a community organisation.

Social care covers such a vast spectrum of personal and practical support for children, young people and adults in our society, supporting independence and improving quality of life. This undervalued, and often misunderstood, sector represents the very core of what it is to be human: what it is to care, respect, advocate and uphold the human rights of everyday citizens.

I’d like to share with you the story of William Rae, the Vice Chair of the Board at C-Change Scotland. William was previously supported by C-Change in Aberdeen. Over time he found that he no longer required support and was able to manage his own day-to-day life. He was determined at that point – instead of riding away into the Aberdonian sunset – to put his energies into using his experience, skills and knowledge to help social care organisations be the best they can be.

He started volunteering on the board at C-Change as well as other local charity organisations. His outlook and knowledge were invaluable. Earlier this year William was elected to the position of Vice Chair where his insight, his ideas and his lived experience have become a vital component of the decision-making processes of the organisation.

He has recently taken on the role of ‘Roving Reporter’, with a regular news bulletins disseminated to colleagues and people we work for to increase the visibility of the work of the board and help keep everyone informed of any changes/ developments/ good news. His dry wit and punchy headlines have made these reports an instant hit!

When C-Change first started working for William he asked the CEO Sam Smith if he was ‘allowed’ to get a Bearded Dragon. She looked at him a little baffled, wondering why he would need permission from her to have a pet of his choosing. He then went on to explain that he had been told previously that he needed to ‘prove himself’ with a goldfish first before he could care for a Bearded Dragon.

The Goldfish and the Bearded Dragon – C-Change

Needless to say, William got his bearded dragon and inspired a poem in process:

The Goldfish & The Bearded Dragon – Poem – C-Change

The message of ‘Why would you want a goldfish when you can have a bearded dragon?’ resonates wider than William’s story. We should be in the business of providing opportunities for growth, excitement, adventure and colour not simply ticking a ‘good enough’ box.

I don’t think it’s too grand to say that social care is noble work: it’s an immense privilege to be invited into people’s lives, walk alongside with empathy and creativity and be trusted to support someone to live the life they choose. Seeing the extraordinary beauty in the ‘ordinary’ lives of individuals is a rare gift. It is at the very heart of what it is to be a compassionate, rich, inspiring, cohesive community, but it requires hard work.

Social care is noble work – a career where you will always learn more than you impart. The lifeblood of the kind of society we should be striving to build with people like William showing us the difference between a life with a goldfish, and one with a bearded dragon.

Read more about William’s story in his own words here 

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12 November 2024

“From surviving to thriving – how the stories of the people we support give me hope”

Member Spotlight: Marking a year as CEO of Recovery Across Mental Health (RAMH), Peter Jung celebrates the charity’s work, urging you to be kind to others – and yourself

I write this as my first-year anniversary as CEO of RAMH fast approaches. It has been a very quick year. I joined as my predecessor; Stephen McLellan retired after more than 30 years at the helm. Stephen took RAMH from its small beginnings, to where it is now: a valued and respected Mental Health charity that has supported so many people to move their lives on to a better place.

A couple of years ago, there was an effort to re-align our organisations’ values. This exercise involved everyone connected to our organisation; peers, staff, Board members, equally. We agreed on four key values – Hope, Inclusion, Respect and Empowerment. These four values underpin all that we do and are the foundation for our culture. They also influenced my decision to apply for this role in the first place. Who wouldn’t be drawn in by these very inspiring values?!

RAMH is not the biggest social care organisation in Scotland but it is recognised as being good at what it does, and I believe it punches well above its weight. Last year we engaged with just over 5400 people and had a further 1140 enquiries. Our support ranges from brief connections, typically through our crisis lines, right up to round the clock support and all stops in-between.

A big part of what we do is to offer people an alternative and better future, and I have been struck by the remarkable stories people have shared with me. Stories that began with a simple will to survive, that evolved into a life where they thrive. Our peers play a key role in giving others the hope that they too can turn things around. There is always a danger in designing things with yourself as the user, so our peers offer an authentic voice that is hard to replicate. I am also pleased to share that a couple of weeks ago, we co-opted two peers on to our Board. I see their inclusion as a strong statement of intent.

I am hugely grateful for the kindness we continue to be shown from the people in the communities in which we serve. From large donations from local groups, schools and business, to personal donations from individuals who have made a particular fundraising effort, like ‘the kilt walk’. This generosity underlines that we are known and recognised in our communities and that the work we do is valued.

It might also be a reflection on the connection we’ve developed through our work, both to members of the public and our network of partner organisations. Our wellbeing maps are a good example of this. These were developed in partnership with a local primary school and now have around 1000 hits a month on maps that cover Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire. The maps pinpoint local connections and community resources that help support people’s mental wellbeing.

🗺️ Take a look at our wellbeing maps: Renfrewshire | East Renfrewshire

Much of what RAMH does is focussed on early intervention and prevention. The importance of early intervention and prevention is underlined in the Scottish Governments’ Mental Health strategy. I firmly believe that getting support to people as early as you can, gives the best possible chance to reduce the impact poor mental health has on the person, their family and those that care about them. Reaching people early, before medical intervention is needed, not only provides the best opportunity to improve lives but also helps relieve the growing strain on an overburdened mental health system.

We actively participate in National and International events such as World Mental Health Day and Suicide Prevention Day. We work with others such as ‘Walk Lighter’ to amplify our reach and impact. We recently partnered with ‘Walk Lighter’, a small local suicide bereavement group in Renfrewshire, to plant remembrance trees in Ferguslie, Ralston, and Barrhead. The initiative aims to honour those lost to suicide and start more open conversations about this urgent issue, especially in light of the rising number of suicides reported this year.

Awareness days like these offer a timely reminder to take stock and check things are ok — not only with the people we support, but with ourselves as well. When we spend our days providing essential care, it is easy to overlook our own wellbeing. Our lives, both inside and outside work, have become busier and busier. I am sure the relentless pressure to do more with less, weighs on you as much as it does me. So take time to look after yourself and those around you, and be kind to each other too, please.

Find out more about RAMH’s work

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