About Daisydreamer

Daisydreamer · ‎08-08-2024

Hi @Imallpeers88, welcome to the SANE Forums! Tagging you here so you can introduce yourself to the Forums community. You will find incredibly understanding and compassionate people here

Daisydreamer · ‎02-11-2022

Thank you so much everyone

Daisydreamer · ‎24-10-2022

Hi @Little_Leopard, That is a great question, and one that even as a peer worker it's something I regularly have to check in with myself. With our volunteers and staff, we provide training and support in identifying potential triggers, self care and managing when they arise. It's something that even the most experienced peer workers can experience, so we also have supports in place including debriefing to support Peer Pathways participants if they are ever triggered throughout the program. We also will support participants to make decisions about what topics they feel comfortable to respond and not respond to- there are some topics that each of us might know are triggers, and can do what we can to set boundaries around those topics to ensure personal wellbeing (our peer workers do this too) Wellbeing is the number one priority

Daisydreamer · ‎04-10-2022

Thank you @BPDSurvivor, all such important points. In particular, I really think the mention around learning and communication styles is something we should embed - each of us learn and communicate in different ways, and having a clear plan will help to ensure that each person's needs around communication and accessibility of learning is taken into consideration

Daisydreamer · ‎04-10-2022

Hi @Little_Leopard, That is an excellent point that having clear rights and responsibilities, and ensuring every person in the program knows of and feels empowered to apply their rights, is vital to preventing against exploitation. I am wondering if workplace rights and responsibilities, and where to get support if your workplace isn't upholding your rights, is something you feel we should be incorporating into the training?

Daisydreamer · ‎04-10-2022

Hi @Patchworks and thank you so much for your responses! Some awesome suggestions you have made, I might draw out a few that really stood out to me The idea around a peer buddy as well as a mentor is a great one; multiple points of support and peer learning. You also mentioned role plays, and thats a great suggestion in how we can support those accessing the program to translate what was learnt into practice. @yellowcorgi - tagging you to check out that suggestion for the training plan The points around accessibility of work is also really important for us to take into consideration, especially when it comes to finding jobs, the cost and location. Some communities we are offering the pilot in are quite expansive, so we will need to think about accessibility for those who might be in regional rural or remote areas, or where proximity to roles might be a challenge and find local services we can partner with Your wellbeing plan sound AMAZING by the way! There are suggestions in there I am thinking of embedding into my wellbeing plan too. In particular, having different action plans depending on what you mind need or how you might feel that day is a great idea. I think often we plan for crisis, but just as important is planning for the days when we might need some extra care and support, focus on wellbeing or time out I really value and appreciate your time and experience here @Patchworks, thank you!

Daisydreamer · ‎04-10-2022

Such an important point @chibam about flexibility to adapt to things that may arise throughout the program. You are so right, there will need to be the ability to make quick change and create feedback avenues so that any issues or concerns can be raised and action taken place to address them throughout the program

Daisydreamer · ‎30-09-2022

@BPDSurvivor thank you so much for all the detail in your responses and the dot points! @yellowcorgi and I have noted all these down. I remember a while back you and I had a conversation about accessibility, so I am so glad to see you jumped onto this conversation to highlight accessibility- all your feedback including around accessibility is incredibly helpful @Little_Leopard it sounds like you have also had similar experiences to @chibam around exploitation, and I am so sorry to hear. I'm hearing it's been a common experience for many people in this chat and having this space to share those experiences and support each other is invaluable. I am glad to hear that you feel safe with SANE and this community and I hope you feel this is a space where you can share your truth and be heard @Appleblossom I am hearing your experience of peer support and that in your peer services in may not always fit with goals needs and strengths of every person. Such an important point about understanding experience and complexity, and being mindful of how each persons experience and perspective is held and respected in a way that is validated. That's something I really value as well and thank you for raising it. @Little_Leopard also agreed with your mention of not having a one size fits all approach, and that's something we will also ensure we embed throughout the program to ensure there is flexibility, diversity of pathways and choice

Daisydreamer · ‎30-09-2022

Hi everyone, I’m going to be working through to respond to all your comments this afternoon. Thank you all for being so open to sharing your experience, it’s giving us a lot to think about and consider, which is really important and vital! Especially about how this programs remains safe and promotes agency and choice for those who put their hand up to participate @maddison you made a really excellent point about the impact that drawing on your personal experience in a peer support context can have, and I would love to see this program work with participants around looking after wellbeing when sharing story. You also raised some brilliant questions about different types of peer work roles and settings (as there are so many places peer support can be applied). This is something we can build into the training! @chibam you mentioned "Thanks, @Daisydreamer . I think that just knowing that SANE is aware of the potential problems that could occur with a program like this, greatly reduces my concerns that such problems will actually occur." We really value you letting us know where the potential problems are, it helps us plan and ensure we are thinking about the program from all angles, so thank you! I am glad to hear that your concerns are feeling reduced You have made so many fantastic points about employment and peer mentoring, and we are writing all of these down to explore as part of this project. Some in particular that really stand out to me include broadening societal understandings of employment; you are so right that interests can span beyond the current 'workforces' that exist, and this is important for us to keep in mind to ensure we are inclusive. Also, the mention around the power imbalance and heirachy that can occur in mental health services, and that's something we will explore further as well. To build safety for participants, how we create shared power and reduce that power imbalance between the Peer Pathways participants and Peer mentors is essential, as well as allyship to be an advocate. All very good points you have made about what the Peer Mentor role should look like

Daisydreamer · ‎27-09-2022

Today's questions Today, we want to understand more about accessibility and supports that we might need to build into this program to support participants Question 3: To ensure we can deliver this training across the country, we are developing online training modules. What are the key considerations we need to embed into the training to ensure accessibility? (For example closed captions for videos, visual aids) Question 4: If you were to undertake this program, what supports would expect to see from SANE? Also tagging our Community Guides in case you want to add your thoughts to this discussion @Anastasia @AussieRecharger @BPDSurvivor @Faith-and-Hope @HenryX @jem80 @Judi9877 @NatureLover @outlander @Shaz51 @ShiningStar @Snowie @MDT @wellwellwellnez @Zoe7 @Aniela @Boo13 @maddison @pinklollipop15 @Eve7

Daisydreamer · ‎27-09-2022

Some really important points there too about the education system, @chibam

Daisydreamer · ‎27-09-2022

Hi @chibam, Firstly I am so sorry to hear the exploitation you have felt and experienced when you have worked with organisations to return to work. It's something that no person should ever have to go through, and I can hear the impact it has had for you You raise some really valid concerns from your personal experience, and I can hear the care that you have for those who might be interested to apply for the peer pathways program. I share the care and desire for this to be a safe, inclusive and supportive program. I hope that my response can alleviate some of these concerns. The peer pathways program was founded on the feedback we have been receiving from the Community Guide Program and the SANE Forums, that there were many people interested in exploring peer support as a career pathway. This was a program informed by the questions and inquiries SANE has been receiving over the last two years from those who access our services to offer a space for those interested to explore peer support. You mentioned that there are increasing roles in peer support, and that is true, but for SANE the motivation is more about supporting service participants to build workforce readiness skills if that aligns with their personal recovery goals and interests. Employment can be an important step for some in supporting their recovery, and we hope to build a pathway for those interested in peer support to explore what that might look like for them. This program won't be something that all people want to engage in, and that is okay too, it's also why we are starting small You are right, not everyone will be interested in peer support that complete this program, and we are working to map out what applicable skills, training and supports we can offer to support people to set their own career pathway (even if that is outside of peer support), and help them to take steps towards their personal goals. It will be a very person-led process. I would be really interested to hear if you think there are any areas outside of peer support that we should also focus on to support those who might decide peer support isn't for them? I am also hearing in your post that choice is really important; and that we would need to consider how we embed choice into the pathways that this program can support people through. I agree with you, that we don't want this to be a one-size-fits all approach, and of course we want to ensure that those that come into the program feel it is a good fit for them. I really value your feedback Chibam, and the courage it takes to stand up for others who have had negative experiences related to return to work or through employment agencies. Every person has a right to feel safe, heard and supported in the return to work process, and for their wishes and personal goals to lead the direction

Daisydreamer · ‎26-09-2022

Day 1: Developing Training SANE is looking to develop training that would support someone to seek employment in peer support, build peer support skills, or build employment readiness skills. A key goal of this program is to prepare participants for the Peer Workforce or further training/education, recognising that for some this might be a career change or a reintroduction to the workforce. 1. What are some of the things you would want to know about peer support before you took the step to apply for paid roles or formal courses? 2. If you have been out of work in past, what has supported you in your journey to seeking employment? What helped? Were there barriers?

Daisydreamer · ‎26-09-2022

Hi there SANE Community, Today, I am excited to open the SANE consultation for a newly funded program to support people who have been unemployed or under-employed to explore peer support as a pathway to employment. This is the start of a week long discussion and we want to hear from you How will it work? Every day, I will post a question or two here, and you can submit your answers by replying to the post. If you like someone else's comment, feel free to "support it" or comment to build on it. There are no right or wrong answers, and we want to know what is important to you. Check back in each week day for a new question, and to hear from your fellow community members. If you know someone who might be interested to get involved, feel free to tag other members. What are we consulting on? We recently completed a consultation with Community Guides to co-design areas of the program. From our conversations so far, and our experience implementing peer support programs, we are hearing that supporting the transition to employment in peer work includes a few important activities such as training, support from a Peer Mentor, debriefing and supervision, and the opportunity to practice peer support and apply the skills. Building on feedback from Community Guides, this week we will ask the SANE Community questions about: 1. Training 2. Peer Mentoring 3. Pathways to Peer Work, training, volunteering and other employment avenues 4. A new name for the program! You are also welcome to ask any questions or make suggestions! We are still in the co-design phase, so we will do our best to answer your questions and incorporate your ideas. How will we incorporate your feedback? SANE is currently in a co-design process working with SANE service users, volunteers, staff, and external organisations to design and implement this program. Our goal is to incorporate your feedback into the program design, and to implement this program with EOIs open in January 2023. If you are interested in this program, and live in Darwin (NT), Hobart (TAS) or Wide Bay (QLD) PHNs, please feel free to express your interest via email at livedexperience@sane.org - we will reach out when EOIs officially open in January! If you live outside these areas, but are interested in future, please feel free to send us an email and we can let you know if there are upcoming opportunities in your state. Let's get started! Tagging all those who supported the original post @Sandra23 @Patchworks @Zoe7 @StuF @tyme @chibam @yellowcorgi @Historylover @Appleblossom @Captain24 @Bow @Little_Leopard @Peregrinefalcon

Daisydreamer · ‎12-09-2022

Hi Forums Community, At the end of September, we would like to invite you to a week long community consultation on the SANE Forums to help us develop and implement a new employment readiness program (Monday 26th September- Sunday 2nd October). SANE Peer Pathways Program Background The SANE Forums are an example of the amazing power of peer support, the way it can shape the lives of a community of peers in a mutual, safe and understanding environment. We have heard from members of the Forums, and our Community Guide team, that building skills and experience of offering peer support in the Forums can be a step into the peer workforce, or exploring employment in mental health fields as a career. We need your help to develop a pilot program that will support participants to explore peer work as a career pathway. Why peer pathways? During recovery, there are times when we may need to take time off or face barriers to re-entering the workforce. Peer Pathways aims to support those experiencing barriers to entering the workforce, or who have been unemployed or underemployed for a period of time to gain support, training and practical experience in peer work. This program also adds to roles in the mental health sector, as there are more and more peer work roles becoming available, but without the support pathways for people to try peer support, get foundational training, and have the opportunity to gain practical peer support experience before applying for roles. SANE has been funded by the Department of Social Services to deliver a new program in a small pilot starting in three PHN regions in Australia (Wide Bay in QLD, Darwin in NT, and Hobart in TAS). Our goal: We aim to create a new pathway into the Community Guide Program and opportunities in peer support at SANE that can support those who have been out of work, or experience barriers to safe and supportive work experience. We envision that this program will build on the principles and supports of the Community Guide Program (including training, mentoring and support), to provide new pathways for those to prepare for volunteering, education and employment. At the moment, this is a pilot program- so we are trialling this program on a smaller scale to see if it creates the impact that we hope it will. Our hope is that if the program is successful, that we can deliver it more broadly across Australia. You are welcome to read more about the program here: https://www.sane.org/peer-support/peer-pathway-program The consultation: At the end of this month, starting Monday the 26th of September, we will be posting a question or two a day to hear your thoughts about the program to inform the design, delivery and evaluation over the next 2 years. If you are interested in this consultation, feel free to click the "support" button below and I will tag you when the consultation starts. This is an exciting opportunity to share your thoughts and help us to build this new program together - Daisydreamer and the SANE Lived Experience Team

Daisydreamer · ‎10-08-2022

Hi there SANE Community I thought I might share this for those interested in Peer Work, the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work has online courses now (meaning, it's more accessible). Here is some information about the course, as well as scholarship opportunities available

Daisydreamer · ‎14-06-2022

And of course to our incredible team of peer workers- you are such a light in this community! I am relieved to still be working in the lived experience workforce space where I will still get the chance to see the amazing support you provide day in and day out! Thank you for your lovely messages @Paperdaisy @Former-Member and to all our peer workers here on the forums Behind the scenes of the forums, the team are all such a support for each other! And I really value the friendships there and will miss the forums family

Daisydreamer · ‎14-06-2022

Thank you so much @MDT It has been a pleasure to get to know you and to see the amazing friendships you have formed here on the SANE Forums. I see each day how valued you are by your peers and hope that you continue to seek the support from this community of friends in your recovery I am sure we will still speak often in my new role, and look forward to checking in from time to time

Daisydreamer · ‎14-06-2022

Thank you @NatureLover! I have absolutely loved getting to know you in the community guide role these last 18 months I still remember your kindness and warm welcome when I first started at SANE and how special that may my first month. This is something you do so well for other members too, and given it helped me have such a positive experience, I can just imagine how that must feel for our new members too I look forward to keep working with you in my new role and seeing you shine as a person, a forum member, and as a community guide

Daisydreamer · ‎14-06-2022

Thank you so much @Eve7! It has been such a pleasure to get to know you better in the Community Guide role this year too I am relieved I will still be involved in the Community Guide program, so will be able to keep working alongside you in my new role. Your peer support always blows me away on the forums and the whole team were so excited to welcome you to the community guide program! The way you hold hope for others, and sit alongside others on their journey is really inspiring- we are so lucky to have you here on the forums!

Daisydreamer · ‎14-06-2022

Thank you @Gwynn for your kind words Really appreciate your best wishes! I will miss seeing you and all the members of the forums each day, but hope to be able to pop back in every now and then to catch up with you all Wishing you all the best on your journey too! The forums are in such good hands with @Former-Member and I look forward to her getting to know you better

Daisydreamer · ‎14-06-2022

Thank you so much @chibam I'm very glad not to be going too far too! I really look forward to continuing to see your thoughtful and interesting posts when I am stopping by the Forums. I have learnt so much from you these last 18 months and really enjoyed our conversations I hope you can continue to advocate for the areas you are most passionate about!

Daisydreamer · ‎14-06-2022

Aw thank you @Zoe7 I have absolutely loved getting to know you better through the Community Guide Program, and seeing you grow as a peer supporter. Your passion for improving the experiences of all people in service delivery is so so important, and something I hope to be able to grow in my new role at SANE. There certainly were big shoes to fill when I started, and so much of this community comes down to the amazing people who are in our community Feeling relieved to not be going too far from forums, where I can still see the incredible kindness and connection of the community. I hope you feel proud too of everything that you have brought to SANE, and the way that you have also supported us to grow the Forums. I know you will get on so well with @Former-Member as she is a kind, passionate and caring person just like you!

Daisydreamer · ‎14-06-2022

Thank you so much @Bow You are such a kind soul and I am so privileged to have walked beside you on the Forums the last year and a half and gotten to know you. I have so much respect for your strength and perseverance in your recovery, even during the toughest of times. I hope that you find all that you wish for in your recovery journey I look forward to checking back in to see how you are going when I am online! You also have such amazing peer support and writing skills, so if you ever want to chat peer support, please feel free to reach out

Daisydreamer · ‎14-06-2022

@Historylover I look forward to seeing you around too in my new role It has been such a privilege to get to know you in the forums, and for all the important conversations you bring to this space! One thing I really admire about you is your strength of advocacy and willingness to stand up for what you believe in. It's something we need to see more of in this world, especially when in advocating for people like us in the mental health space. Wishing you all the best on your journey and hope to see you around when I am online!

Daisydreamer · ‎14-06-2022

Thank you so much everyone for your beautiful messages

Daisydreamer · ‎08-06-2022

Hi everyone! It has been such a long time, and I have missed you all I have had a heart condition and have been away for a few weeks- glad to be back and catching up on all the daily achievements these last 5 weeks. My daily achievements today: - Finally back online - I have missed you all! - I managed to unpack the dishwasher today (this has been a big milestone) - I am going gentle with myself while I get back to full health What are your daily achievements? @TAB @Judi9877 @RedHorse @Dimity @Jessie21

Daisydreamer · ‎08-06-2022

Hi there SANE Forums Community, It's Daisydreamer here! I have been the Community Manager with SANE for the last 18 months (I still can't believe how quick that time has passed!). This community has been such an incredible space to be a part of, and I have loved getting to know each and every one of you Your kindness, compassion and courage are 3 values that make this community the special space that it is! The SANE Forums are unlike any other community I have been a part of, and something I wish wholeheartedly that I was involved in when I was going through the hardest parts of my recovery. I am inspired daily, and have learnt so much from the SANE Community. I am so grateful for the connections I have built here with you, and for your trust in me. I will miss you all! In three weeks time, I am going to be moving on to a new role at SANE, which means I won't be on the forums as much as usual. My new role will still be working alongside the Community Guides and SANE volunteers, and looking at expanding and developing the Lived Experience Workforce at SANE. So I won't be far away, you will still see me around from time to time! While I am sad to leave this incredible community, I know you are in good hands with our amazing new Community Manager. Last week we welcomed the new Community Manager of the SANE Forums @Former-Member Having worked with @Former-Member in past, I know that she will bring so much to this community- I can't wait for you all to get to know her better! Thank you again for welcoming me into this community and for all the conversations we have had over the last 18 months. I look forward to speaking with you and keeping you updated on SANE's Lived Experience Workforce in my new role. And of course, if you have any questions about Peer Work, Engagement or Volunteering, you are always welcome to tag me or email the team at team@saneforums.org Sending kindness, thoughts and wishes, Daisydreamer

Daisydreamer · ‎27-04-2022

Hi @Talzy_T, So glad to hear you are finding this conversation helpful! You could study both if you wanted to, however the Cert IV in Mental Health isn't a requirement of a peer work role, if you are already studying the Cert IV in Mental Health Peer Work Where it could be helpful is if you are thinking of studying something in the mental health field at university in future, as you can get advanced standing in some universities

Daisydreamer · ‎22-04-2022

Hi @jannabi and welcome to SANE, As @Appleblossom mentioned, it's really brave to reach out and want to take steps towards working on you and your wellbeing. It sounds like you have thought about this a lot, and what the relationship looked like. I am wondering if you have spoken to anyone about this before? As @Appleblossom mentioned, a mental health professional might be able to give you some ideas about what is going on and support you through this. Have you considered chatting with a mental health professional before? I am really glad you reached out to share your experience. Please feel free to check back in again and let us know how you are doing

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