My first few weeks at Livewire have been really interesting and rewarding. I already feel part of something special, a place where I feel comfortable as I begin finding my feet transitioning from counsellor to Counselling Lead. One of the things I’ve enjoyed most is being more involved with the youth work team in the evenings. It has taken me out of my usual one-to-one work with children and young people and allowed me to see them in their own environment, in their clubs, watching them get on stage, challenge themselves, and overcome their fears.
Walking around, chatting with them, and getting to know the staff and volunteers has been really valuable. I wanted to step into this role gently, gradually shifting my interaction with the counsellors to be more supportive and hands-on when needed, and slowly finding my rhythm rather than rushing. I’ve also started interacting more with the community, sharing what Livewire does, connecting with schools, and beginning to create a social media presence. The more I settle into the role, the more I realise how much I love being part of something so worthwhile. I already have plans in the pipeline, including organising a Mental Health Day so people can learn more about what Livewire offers. I’ve also arranged a supervisor who I believe will be a great asset to the team, helping ensure Livewire remains aligned with the BACP Ethical Framework that many counsellors follow. It’s a framework I feel strongly connected to, as ethical practice protects both the children and young people we work with, as well as ourselves as practitioners. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to be part of this, I’m already loving it and feel totally supported in my role by Andy, Julie and Joe
