Here at Belfast and Lisburn Women’s Aid, we have a wide variety of staff who work across our teams in various job roles. Each woman who works with us contributes invaluably to the organisation, enabling us to provide support and guidance to women, children and young people when they need us most.
With our ‘Day in the Life’ blog series, we aim to shine a light on the many different roles within our organisation in order to celebrate the excellence of our team and give you, the reader, a little insight into our everyday work.
So without further ado, here’s a day in the life of one of our Children’s Resilience Workers…
Firstly, tell us how long you’ve been in your job as Children’s Resilience Worker?
I’ve been in my role for just over ten months now.
And what did you do before you came to work in Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid?
I was a student studying Psychology – this is what sparked my interest in working with children who have experienced trauma. When I graduated I briefly worked in a preschool and nursery and also worked part-time for Parentline. I also volunteered for Samaritans.
So what made you want to come and work for Women’s Aid?
When I studied Psychology in university it really sparked my interest in adverse childhood experiences and how they impact on development after doing a module on this. During this time I learnt about domestic abuse and how it impacts children. I was always interested in the work that Women’s Aid do, and so when I saw a job advertised working with children who have experienced domestic abuse, I knew it was something I wanted to do.
And what might a typical day at work look like for you?
My day consists largely of travelling to a range of different primary schools where I see young people and carry out 1-2-1 sessions. Aside from this, I allocate time each day to plan and organise materials and resources for sessions, make phone calls to new referrals, check in and support mums of young people, update notes and case files on our case management system, and plan and organise the 8-12 year olds group we hold on a Wednesday evening. Regular team meetings and supervision with my team leader are also important parts of my diary. I am also involved in supporting other Children’s Workers in refuge if necessary.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
I enjoy 1-2-1 sessions with young people the most. I love spending time with the young people and giving them a space where they feel safe and comfortable and can talk to me about anything they are worried about. Building up a relationship with a young person and having them confide in you is such a rewarding element of the job.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in working in a similar role to yours?
I think it is a great job which is very rewarding. It has brought me a lot of joy seeing the difference I can make in young peoples lives. The job can also be challenging at times and it is important to give yourself ‘me’ time and practice self care so that you don’t get burnt out.
Stay tuned for more in our ‘Day in the Life’ blog series in the coming months!
Here at Belfast & Lisburn Women’s Aid, we’re often looking for enthusiastic and passionate women to join our team. For more information and current vacancies click here.
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