Arts Therapy Clinic-Children in Crisis-CAMBODIA

Before we share some news and information on our staff care programmes. We would like to say thank you for your ongoing support, for your generosity and for your faith in Ragamuffin’s work with those who are often most marginalized. Every contribution whether financial or in reading these reports and staying connected is deeply valued, noted by our team and makes such a difference to us continuing to provide our services. On behalf of everyone in Ragamuffin Cambodia – Thank you!

‘Sustaining the Frontline’ - caring for those who care for others

 In any humanitarian work, staff well-being and professional de-briefing is as important as programme delivery. The human resource on the frontline of care is an organisation’s most vital asset and staff well-being, when dealing with daily trauma and crisis in their work, must be carefully considered if staff themselves, and their families, are not to become severely and negatively impacted by their commitment to bringing aid and solace to others.

’Ragamuffin works together with those who aim to empower and sustain individuals, families and staff teams in the restoration and development of healthy communities and work places.

In partnership with local and International organisations in Cambodia, Ragamuffin provides staff care programmes and intensive de-briefing. This work is critical in the support of those who work with those who suffer. Ragamuffin has been recently working with over 10 partners who support those who have been victims of trafficking, forced labour, young girls in crisis, and those who have been through traumatic events. In a recent staff care progamme for an organization that provides crisis care for young girls, a member of the team explained:

“I got to know my colleagues so much more deeply – their value and contribution to the work and recognised their ability to work so well and faithfully…we learnt a lot from each other …we’re normally so busy we don’t get a chance to appreciate each other … we need to keep this in mind …there was so much meaning in our pictures! Such a surprise!”

These thoughts demonstrate the importance of an opportunity to deeply value each other. Through the creative work each member of the staff team was able to recognize how much they were giving out and the cost this has to them. This was both moving and fun! There were such poignant moments as internalized pain found expression; and lots of joy and laughter as gifts were made and shared – everyone made something for everyone!

Collaborative parterships with teams and organisations enable both strengths and resillience to be celebrated, and also the discovery of personal, professional and organisational tools for staff care and well-being initiatives that can be realistically and effectivley implemented into practice.

“It’s so important that we are able to do this - it’s our chance to express and journey through the impact of what we are holding with our clients, the terrible stories we are hearing and how to care for and protect ourselves”

These programmes help groups understand the phenomena of vicarious trauma as we consider (through a range of creative processes) what we give out and what we take in as we do our work. Staff tams are enabled to recognise that to ignore the symptoms of vicarious or secondary trauma and the stressors it places on ourselves, our colleagues and our families is to neglect the vital instrument of care that each member of staff is. People are not machines, but it would never cross our minds not to look after and maintain a machine on which we relied.

It is so evident that regular opportunities to debrief and be restored is essential to the well-being and effective functioning of these much needed teams of dedicated individuals working with those in crisis. As they too then support children and young people who both are supported by their organisations and also who are referred into Ragamuffin’s Arts Therapy Clinic.