Chloe Myers on LinkedIn: Teignbridge Volunteer Awards 2024 | News | Teignbridge CVS (2024)

I first met David back in January 2020.He was taking part in the 28 day plant based challenge, to see how it would impact his health.He was such an active participant, coming along to every shared lunch, getting his wife and friends involved and trying new foods with him.Prior to joining the challenge, he'd helped set up a U3A group in Teignmouth, which is still going strong bringing people together to try new things and build community.He's also supported Ukrainian refugees moving to the area to help them settle in. David is so community spirited and an asset to his community.After his background as a foster parent, he's recently started working for the National Youth Advocacy Service as Volunteer Co-ordinator.They're very lucky to have David on their team!#volunteersweek

3

2 Comments

Do you believe you have the power to make a difference?This week I attended the AGM for TeignAid.Their incredible volunteers support homeless people and those at risk of homelessness in Teignmouth and Dawlish.Often these people will be given emergency housing, but it’s in a different area.They have to leave behind their community, adding loneliness to their struggles, and costing them a fortune travelling for medical appointments or to get their children to school - not to mention the the time it takes, making it impossible to work and improve things for themselves.They may not have cooking facilities, making it expensive to eat - either in cafes and takeaways, or buying snack foods. Not only is this expensive, it is difficult to eat healthily too, exacerbating their health conditions.Even with professional support, the system to find permanent, safe accommodation is difficult to navigate and a slow process.There must be times when it feels impossible for clients, and for the TeignAid volunteers trying to help them.That’s when this belief can be essential in reminding them to keep going and that they are making a difference, even when it feels like an uphill struggle.TeignAid work closely with Teignmouth Mutual Aid Community Larder and Volunteering in Health to make a difference for some of the most vulnerable people in our community, who can often go unheard.If you can spare an hour or two a week to support them in any way, please send them a message.#volunteersweek

11

5 Comments

It’s Volunteers’ Week!Do you do any volunteering?How has volunteering helped you?Which volunteers have supported you?

6

9 Comments

If you’re feeling overwhelmed by life and that work is the only place that you’re succeeding, but also the only thing in your life that can give, you’re not alone.Back in 2021, I was struggling with the aftereffects of covid and my mum dying, my son school refusing, and caring for my dad.I didn’t feel like I was a good mum or wife or friend or daughter.I felt crap about myself.But I was still doing well at work.Work was keeping me going, but it was also the only place that I could let slip.Eventually I took some time off to look after myself.That break gave me the perspective I needed to shake my life up for the better and I haven’t looked back since.In my book, Work Hard, Rest Hard, Play Hard, I go into more detail about my own story of burnout and how I used it as a wake-up call to make my life better than ever.Order yours now on Amazon – available as paperback, ebook, and audiobook.

13

3 Comments

Catch me at Winslade Manor Ltd on 26th June

7

How much time in nature does your job allow you within the work day?One of the best days I’ve had in this role was visiting Sage Green CIC in Starcross.The sun was shining and, on my walk to find Jeanette, there were geese, deer, swans, and even alpacas.Jeanette showed me around her beautiful space within the walled garden at Powderham Castle.Jeanette and her small team of volunteers produce organically grown vegetables, much of which is donated to local food banks so that people in need are able to stay healthy.They’re currently looking for a volunteer to help them with their social media.If you, or someone you know, could help, please contact me and I’ll send you their way!

7

“Do you need solutions or to vent?”This is a brilliant question to ask when someone is flooded with emotion.But silence can be even better.Silence shows the person that you accept them and their emotions as they are, even without knowing what’s going on.I posted yesterday about crying at yoga, and it reminded me of times when I’ve turned up at a friends house crying and just climbed into her bed for a cuddle and a cry.Or the times (before sobriety) when I’ve turned up at another friend’s house in shock and asked for a shot of something without explaining why I need it.But it’s easier said than done.🔧 We have a natural tendency to want to fix.🩹 We can feel uncomfortable seeing someone in emotional pain.🧐And we’re just plain curious (who doesn’t love a juicy bit of gossip).Three of the hardest and most powerful things you learn as a coach are⭐️ don’t coach the story (you don’t need to know all the backstory to be able to help them move forward)⭐️ don’t show empathy (no “I know how you feel” or “that must be hard” or sharing your own similar experience and making it about you)⭐️ silence is golden (you already know this one, but you learn to sit in silence for much longer than initially feels comfortable)How do you hold back from the tendency to fix when someone is showing strong emotions?

29

14 Comments

I started crying at yoga this morning.It came out of nowhere and took me by surprise.I decided to gift myself a slow morning: lounging in bed, watching TV, eating cake, drinking tea, and not doing any of the things I’d planned to without feeling guilty about it.Then we had Oscar’s EHCP review meeting this afternoon and the crying made sense.I realised how triggered I still am by everything we went through in getting him out of school: leaving work, worrying about money, getting an EHCP, and helping him overcome his anxiety and the physical impacts school had had on him.I am so proud of all the amazing progress he’s made and so glad I have got my lovely, happy, confident boy back.I’m proud of myself for being brave and getting him out of an environment that was damaging him, but it definitely took its toll on me.So many families are still struggling with schools that can’t meet their needs.Seeing your children in pain and feeling helpless is PAINFUL.If your children are struggling with school, how are you looking after yourself?#homeeducation #education #school #teens #covid #anxiety #ehcp #learning #selfcare #parenting

52

12 Comments