The most recent Facilitation Wellington Dufferin Newsletter is out with an important announcement as well as all the usual resources and events. Check it out here: https://mailchi.mp/eeeb6ec08fb4/march-2021-facilitation-wellington-dufferin-newsletter
The December Facilitation Wellington Dufferin Newsletter is out! You can find all our resource goodies, upcoming events, and more by clicking here.
Our final Impacts of COVID Webinar on Personal Connections began with excitement over our togetherness and anticipation over renewing connections. Joanna started the night off by reiterating some ground rules, celebrating the successes of the webinar series thus far (Impacts of COVID) (Community Connections), and introducing Susannah Joyce, the founder of Realizations and our speaker for the night.
Susannah is deeply involved in the Ontario Independent Facilitation Network (OIFN) and has a long history as a dedicated volunteer in facilitation services. The group introduced themselves to each other, mentioning their roles and what they were bringing to the space in the evening. Many people identified themselves as “friends” and were looking forward to Susannah’s expertise on building and maintaining personal connections. Susannah invited us all to view the night as an opportunity to build our skills and learn.
We began with a discussion on time, and how many demands we are all finding on our time during the pandemic. Susannah noted how difficult it is to find balance and connect when connection is digitally mediated and when that medium (like Zoom!) can also be quite draining. She began her presentation with some quotes about belonging and energy between people. Susannah affirmed that our need for connection and belonging is as important as any other need we have.
She invited us to think about some questions as a method to strengthen our friendships by being intentional about our relationships, and having conversations about them. She invited us to use our passions and our gifts (which are natural avenues that bring us to connection) to explore and deepen our relationships.
Connections are deeply individual, and there are many ways to feel close and connected to others. Similarly, there are many different kinds of people we can choose to deepen our relationships with. The variety is part of the fun! Susannah told us, “There is no right or wrong, there is just what feels comfortable to you.” We were invited to think about what does feel comfortable to us, and how we prefer our friendships to work and what kinds of friendships we have. In addition, we were invited to consider how our friends like their friendships with us to work, and what they need or have time for in their lives. Susannah invited us all to ask our friends “Has what they need changed since we have been distancing,” and to make an explicit space to talk about the changes COVID has given to us all.
She encouraged us that in thinking about strategies for building new traditions with our friends during this time, we can be mindful about what we can give to people we have relationships with, and also what we want to get in return. Some days we might have nothing to give, and that’s okay too. A good place to start in figuring out what we might want and how to go about strengthening our relationships is to think about when we have time and energy, and when the people we want to connect with do as well. She emphasized the important of reaching out to our connections, because we often assume people are doing okay, but it can be a really powerful action to reach out and check in on others, and usually it doesn’t take too much energy.
The group had a bit of a discussion about the kinds of friendships we have, strategies for managing friendships that might be more difficult during COVID, such as friendships with people who are really busy, or friendships that are more based on shared activities in the physical world. After some discussion it emerged that it can be really great to just check in with people, while explicitly stating that we don’t need a response, and that we are just sending that love or connection or care into the universe. We came to the realization that building our skills during COVID and keeping our hearts open because of the pandemic can be a good thing to carry us through and continue on later. We noted the need to balance intentionality with authenticity, but thought that perhaps we could intentionally keep some of the authentic feelings and need to connect that we have right now.
After our conversation, Susannah discussed the nature of conversations and how we can have them, and how they might involve different elements, like sharing stories. Susannah shared some strategies on having meaningful conversations by asking questions, in particular open ended questions, and being comfortable with pauses and really digesting what we hear and waiting a few seconds before responding. Listening was highlighted, and in particular listening with the whole body, and recognizing the beneficial effect that being present and listening to someone can have on them. As we listen to them, we can be carefully curious about them, ensuring that we are authentic in wanting to know more. In discussing, we found too that others feel listened to in different ways, and people may enjoy communicating in different ways. We can find it harder to be curious and listen sometimes when we are tired, and that’s okay too! Susannah reminded us that we are always busy, and always have been busy, even before and after COVID, but its okay to just try a little when we do have the ability to ask questions.
Joanna recommended a TED Talk on “10 Ways to Have a Better Conversation” and recognizing the expertise of the people we talk with. We discussed how it can be harder to listen and show that we’re listening online, but Susannah affirmed that authenticity really shines through no matter what, especially when we are open to our curiosity leading us down a variety of paths.
Even during the pandemic we have a myriad of choices on how to connect with others. We can connect by phone, Zoom, a variety of social media platforms and messaging apps. We can try to safely gather outside, and still participate in virtual activities alongside each other. We might struggle with generational divides, or divides with our existing social circles, and we have to be mindful that there is a learning curve to everything and we can try to meet people where they are. Susannah recommended a movie “Cyber-Seniors,” (link) which was on learning different digital strategies, and demonstrates that we can learn different communication methods.
We ended with a great message about community from Starhawk
By Starhawk
We are all longing to go home to some place
we have never been—a place half-remembered and half-envisioned
we can only catch glimpses of from time to time.
Community.
Somewhere, there are people to whom we can speak with passion
without having the words catch in our throats.
Somewhere a circle of hands
will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter,
voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power.
Community means strength
that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done.
Arms to hold us when we falter.
A circle of healing.
A circle of friends.
Someplace where we can be free.
from Dreaming the Dark: Magic, Sex, and Politics (Beacon Press)
Susannah has graciously provided us with some of the resources from her presentation, some of which are part of her training resources from Realizations.
Strengthening Our Personal Connections
During Covid
With
Susannah Joyce
Realizations Training & Resources *
“Belonging is an intrinsic need for all humanity. We are biologically, cognitively, physically, and spiritually wired to love, to be loved, and to belong. When those needs are not met, we don’t function as we were meant to”.
Brené Brown
During these times when responsibilities can feel overwhelming, it can be challenging to find time and energy to stay in touch with people we care about. There is no best way to make sure we are maintaining connections. Some options include:
• Casual, Quick Touching Base
• Catching Up on What You and Another Have Been Doing
• Deeper Conversation
• Doing Something Together
• Just Being in the Same Space
We also need to consider the different kinds of relationships we have, and what might be needed to sustain each:
Partner… Children … Family … Pets. … Friends … Colleagues … Neighbours … Groups… Acquaintances … Professionals…
Another consideration is knowing our own particular approach to friendships and that of others in our life:
· Are we more comfortable with a few close relationships or do we enjoy a wider variety of people in our circle?
· Do we tend to reach out to others or wait till they are in touch with us?
· Do we prefer fairly regular contact or are less frequent interactions enough?
· What do we know about these characteristics in others we are close to?
Who do we tend to turn to for various needs and which of these are we able to offer to others, knowing we all have times when we are able to give more?
Comfort Empathy Ideas Encouragement
Fun Information Validation Moral Support
Unconditional Love and Acceptance
We also need to consider what claims we have on our time and energy and what do we know about those claims on others in our life?
But it’s not just about time and frequency of connection. It is also about the quality of our interactions Below are some thoughts on having meaningful conversations:
· What would you like to know more about someone in your life? Do you actually want to know more about them? Ask new questions or follow-up questions.
· Ask open ended questions … What was it like? … When did you… ? How did you …?
· Its less about what happens to people than how they experienced something…. not just recitation of events …. seeing it from wider perspectives.
· Don’t fear pauses … most of us stop listening to a comment half way through so we can be ready with a response … its ok to wait a few seconds before replying
· Rev. Margaret Guenther said good conversationalists are like midwives helping the other person give birth to what they want to say.
David Brooks, NY Times
We can also use this time to strengthen our skills in listening and in becoming more genuinely curious about learning more about each other.
Thoughts on Listening and Being Curious
“ Humans need to be heard before they can listen.” Amanda Ripley
“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” Albert Einstein
“I wonder how many people I’ve looked at all my life and never seen.” John Steinbeck
Be curious, not judgmental.” Walt Whitman
“Listening is being able to be changed by the other person.” Alan Alda
Using different ways to connect long distance, at different times and for different people, can helps us stay in touch, even briefly!
Email Phone Facetime Text
Facebook Messenger What’s APP Twitter
Instagram Snapchat Zoom Tik Tok
“We are all longing to go home to some place we have never been---a place half remembered, and half envisioned, we can only catch glimpses of from time to time. Community. Somewhere there are people to whom we can speak with passion without having the words catch in our throats. Somewhere a circle of hands will open to receive us, eyes will light up as we enter, voices will celebrate with us whenever we come into our own power. Community means strength that joins our strength to do the work that needs to be done. Arms to hold us when we falter. A circle of healing. A circle of friends. Someplace where we can be free.”
Starhawk, Dreaming the Dark
* Content other than Quotes is material from workshops and writings of Realizations Training & Resources
The night began with some casual socializing and sharing. It was great to see the community out and have a chance to connect with each other organically. Joanna, our executive director, gave a great introduction to Facilitation Wellington Dufferin and what independent facilitation is. We affirmed the values for the night including: responsibility; compassion; balancing risk-taking and openness with keeping personal boundaries; privacy; and acknowledging that learning is a continual process. We invited everyone to check in with how they were feeling, and to answer the question “What do you need to navigate challenges related to COVID that you don’t already have or know about?”
Then, the larger group split off into breakout rooms. The first topic was to talk about activities and hobbies that we were able to maintain during COVID despite changes in the world around us. The mood in breakout rooms was one of discovery and making connections with and about others, as well as focusing on good things in our lives.
We then moved into discussing the more challenging impacts COVID has had on our lives as a larger group. We talked about the ways that our relationships and roles have shifted and continue to shift as we go through different phases of COVID and the circumstances of our own lives change. Many folks were positive and finding the benefits even in the challenges, and emphasized the complexity of the situation and how it was very different for everyone, and even different for the same person at different times.
We then moved into a discussion of self-care and how to ensure we are capable of caring for ourselves by finding the time and resources to do so. We unearthed challenges with balancing our care needs with the care needs of people in our community. Keeping in touch via dropped off gifts, shared but distanced activities, and communication was a big key strategy that was discussed as ways to manage our concern for others.
We talked about the simplicity of life under COVID and learning to appreciate the time we have, as well as how important it is to connect with loved ones. Some habits of our “old lives” we don’t miss at all! It’s okay that self-care and our hobbies have changed. Some folks mentioned they have been enjoying finding mindfulness in their lives through things like walking and meditation. We watched a video called “WTF is Mindfulness?” a very simple guided introduction to mindfulness.
Wondering what mindfulness is? Try this short meditation to find out. https://au.reachout.com/
We discussed ways to keep moving forward in COVID by learning new skills, especially skills that allow us to connect with each other, such as by becoming Zoom experts like facilitator Hailee! Some of us also found new appreciation for old skills. Sharing new hobbies or new expressions of hobbies with our families and communities either virtually or by activities like dropping off delicious baked goods we found was a great way to stay connected and express care.
Joanna shared a quote which invited us to think about how we can take COVID as an opportunity to mindfully move forward and “lock in a new normal” by deciding what habits and methods of living we have enjoyed learning during COVID that we would like to hold on to. We invited everyone to consider how they have stretched or grown during COVID 19.
Participants also received a list of resources including resources on mental health, relationships, finances, fun, and self-care. but we are also sharing them here with you below this post, and at this link!
If you’re interested in attending one of our other webinar events, the next event will be November 26th 2020 at 7pm, and will feature speaker Brendan Johnson from the Guelph Neighborhood Support coalition. To register for this FREE event, please head to Eventbrite by clicking here!
10 Things you can do right now to reduce anxiety, stress, worry related to COVID-19
https://bouncebackontario.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/BounceBack-Tip-Sheet-Covid19-EN.pdf
Canadian Mental Health Association
Covid 19 - Helping Ourselves. Helping Each Other
Course - Free 3 hour online course you can take at your own pace.
Mind Control - Managing your Mental Health During Covid https://www.coursera.org/learn/manage-health-covid-19
Living Life to the Full – Helping You to Help Yourself (January - March 2021)
12 HOURS THAT CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE Cost $50 total for the 12 weeks
https://cmhaww.ca/events/llttf-winter2020/
Webinar events hosted by CMHA
BounceBack BounceBack is a free, guided self-help program that’s effective in helping people aged 15 and up who are experiencing mild-to-moderate anxiety or depression, or may be feeling low, stressed, worried, irritable or angry. Participants receive telephone coaching, skill-building workbooks and online videos to help them overcome these symptoms and gain new skills to regain positive mental health. To receive telephone coaching support, clients must either be referred by their primary care provider (family doctor, nurse practitioner) or psychiatrist, or they may self-refer as long as they’re connected with a primary care provider. For those who are not quite ready for coaching, our online videos can provide helpful tips.
Youth 15-18 https://bouncebackontario.ca/what-is-bounceback-youth/
Adults 19 + https://bouncebackontario.ca/adults-19/
Impacts of Covid on Mental Health in our Community
https://www.guelphcf.ca/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=-kDSQDcIjsA%3d&tabid=100
Managing Stress, Anxiety and Substance Abuse During Covid 1
Tips on Talking to Someone in Crisis during Covid 19
Prioritize Your Mental Wellness While Working from Home
Relationships
Power of relationships - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RijQpsWEdrE
How to start dating during Covid Article
https://people.com/health/how-to-start-relationship-dating-during-covid/
Relationships, community and planning
Ontario Independent Facilitation Network (OIFN)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HRFaPgKWflY
How to Build Closer Friendships - video
Thomas Frank
10 Ways to make and keep a friend
Psychology today
21 Ways to build strong friendships
https://tinybuddha.com/blog/21-ways-to-build-strong-friendships/
Self care
Self Care - What it really is - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dBn0ETS6XDk
How to get your life together - self care routine - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuaDEioc2j4
A self care action plan - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w0iVTQS8ftg
20 Self Care Routine Ideas - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhVXjq7VUR8
50 Ways for self care
Why is Self Care so Important
https://lifehacker.com/why-self-care-is-so-important-1770880812
45 Simple Self Care Strategies
https://tinybuddha.com/blog/45-simple-self-care-practices-for-a-healthy-mind-body-and-soul/
Headspace app
The Power of Gratitude
https://www.successconsciousness.com/blog/personal-development/power-of-gratitude/
Gratitude experiment - video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5lZBjWDR_c
If you think mindfulness isn't for you
https://auness-is-it-for-you.reachout.com/articles/mindful
Free Mindfulness resources
http://www.freemindfulness.org/download
https://mindfulnessexercises.com/free-guided-meditations-mindfulness-talks/
25 Stay at Home Self Care Ideas
Cultivating Resilience in the Wake of Covid 19
Finances
Managing Financial Health in Challenging times
https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/covid-19-managing-financial-health.html
Managing Covid 19 Financial Stress
Fun
Video Games for Wellbeing
https://checkpointorg.com/games-for-health/
What to do while in isolation covid 19 resources - Disability Sector Resources
https://connectability.ca/what-to-do-while-in-isolation-covid-19-resources/
Stay-at-home activities website links, here are a few:
https://themighty.com/2020/03/bored-covid19-social-distancing/
https://www.familyvacationcritic.com/things-to-do-at-home-with-kids-during-coronavirus-outbreak/art/
https://www.lifehack.org/articles/lifestyle/30-fun-things-home.html
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YJREjXEAOfQ
50 fun things to do in Winter https://www.wisebread.com/50-fun-things-to-do-when-youre-stuck-inside-during-winter#:~:text=50%20Fun%20Things%20to%20Do%20When%20You%27re%20Stuck,Take%20an%20Online%20Class%20or%20Tutorial.%20More%20items
Plain Language Information on Coronavirus
Coronavirus - What is it and what can I do
http://thearc.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Coronavirus-What-Is-It-and-What-Can-I-Do-The-Arc-MD.pdf
Important Things to know about Covid19
https://heller.brandeis.edu/lurie/pdfs/resources/covid-guide.pdf
Information about Covid
https://www.peoplefirstofcanada.ca/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/COVID19InfoForPFCBoard-1.pdf
Resources
P4P- Partners 4 Planning http://www.partnersforplanning.ca/
Family Education & Support Services - familyess.org
ConnectABILITY.ca - A resource site provided by Community Living Toronto
Autism Ontario autismontario.com
Mental Health Commission https://www.mentalhealthcommission.ca
Facilitation Wellington Dufferin is please to announce our upcoming webinar series on the Impacts of COVID. This web series will take place in three sessions over three weeks and focus on unpacking how COVID impacts us as individuals, as well as how it impacts our community connections and our personal connections.
These are all FREE events. You can register for one, two, or all three! To get the Zoom link and be a part of this, register at the Eventbrite link. If you have any issues at all with registering, please DO NOT HESISTATE to reach out to info@faciliationwd.com for support. Additionally, if you have any accessibility needs, or if there is any way we can make this webinar series easier and more accessible for you to access, please let us know. Once again, you can reach out to info@facilitationwd.com.
We cannot wait to see all of you there!
For more information on the individual sessions, keep reading!
Day One November 19th
7:00pm-8:30pm
Impacts of COVID
Day 1 will be led by Facilitation Wellington Dufferin and will do a deep dive into the ways COVID has impacted our lives. There will be moderated group discussion and activities, as well as take home resources and more!
Day Two November 26th
7:00pm-8:30pm
Community Connections
Guest speaker- Brendan Johnson, GNSC
Day 2 will be led by guest speaker Brendan Johnson, the Executive Director of the Guelph Neighborhood Support Coalition. It will focus on community resources that are available during COVID, and strategies for maintaining connections with your communities. Once again, joining this webinar will give you access to not only Brendan’s insight and expertise, but also to moderated group discussions, take home resources, and more.
Day Three December 3rd
7:00pm-8:30pm
Personal Connections
Guest speaker- Susannah Joyce, Realizations
Day 3, our final session will be led by Susannah Joyce, founder of Realizations. This session will focus on our personal connections during COVID and how to maintain and strengthen them. Once again, registering for this session will involve getting access to Susannah’s remarks, group discussion, resources, activities, and more!
Our slightly belated Facilitation Wellington Dufferin September Newsletter is out! Check it out for information on resources, upcoming events, and what's next for FWD: https://mailchi.mp/1462d37f0bfb/facilitation-wellington-dufferin-september-newsletter
Last month, we asked you to fill out a survey on what sorts of digital content we can provide to you during this time of physical distancing. The results are in, and there is a clear interest in a webinar series. Most of you indicated interest in webinars about mental health, including self-care strategies, mental health in a pandemic, and community resources. You also indicated a strong interest in a web series on community connection during a pandemic, including online communities, how to reach out, and how to build relationships in a virtual world.
We will be taking these results and discussing how to best enact them this month. We hope to start providing these types of resources in the Fall. We are also keeping our eye on other resources you indicated would be useful, such as Drop-In Online Facilitation, How-To PDF booklets, and web-series discussions on technology.
If you didn’t yet have a chance to share your voice, we have left the survey open. So, if you want to share your opinion, you can still go to this link, or reach out to us via telephone (226-326-0916 ext 214), our contact us page, or any of our social media links below to let us know how we can best serve you.
Facebook: Facilitation Wellington Dufferin
Twitter: @FacilitationWD
Instagram: facilitationwd
We are constantly working to raise the bar on our services. If you have any questions or concerns about your experience with Facilitation Wellington Dufferin, please let us know.
Joanna Goode - Director
226-326-0916 x 210
Joanna@facilitationwd.com
Powered by Squarespace.
