Practice Manager’s Affinity Support Group
Attending to your wellbeing is not a case of being selfish. Your wellbeing makes a difference not only for yourself but for others too. Research shows that ‘happier leaders’ make for ‘happier organisations’. And the need to support the wellbeing of colleagues right now has never been higher.
Why an Affinity Group?
Being a manager or leader can at times be a lonely experience, particularly during times of high demand and stress. You may not be sure who to talk to about your day-to-day challenges and feelings without imagining you might be burdening someone or risking the uncertainty of whether you might be judged for not being ‘perfect’.
Finding safe spaces to talk openly with people who you can relate to, who can empathize and listen without judgement to whatever you need to share, offers the chance to relieve some of the stress and feel less alone. And through the experience of mutual support, you will begin to feel nourished and cared for.
What is involved and what will I get from being part of a group?
The Affinity Support Group brings together a small group of practice managers into a virtual online facilitated space on a monthly basis. Building mutual trust will be a key part of creating a safe space to share together over time. As relationships develop the group will, with the help of the facilitator, supportively respond to the different wellbeing needs of members of the group. The group will be confidential.
How is this different to other offers such as coaching or action learning sets?
While individual coaching provides a 1:1 environment for individuals to offload, talk in a safe space and develop practical strategies for coping and staying well, affinity groups create safe spaces to bring people together.
In an affinity group it is the deep, peer-to-peer listening and creation of connection and mutual support that enhances the wellbeing of the whole group. This enables participants to feel they are both giving and receiving support in dynamic relationships that individuals usually find mutually beneficial.
Unlike action learning sets there is no pressure within an affinity group to move toward a solution to a particular problem. The focus is on being rather than doing and finding a space to be listened to and valued.
Who is this programme for?
Practice Managers in the South East.
Dates and times:
The sessions will be virtually on Zoom and you will need to be able to attend all sessions for the dynamic of the group to work.
Session 1: 2nd March 14:00 – 16:00
Session 2: 31st March 14:00 – 16:00
Session 3: 28th April 14:00 – 16:00
Book your place
These sessions are now full. To join the waiting list and register interest in future cohorts please fill out this form here.
About the facilitator
These sessions will be facilitated by Byron Lee.
Byron has a background in health and social care, community and higher education, leadership development; and has spent the past 30 years supporting individuals, teams, communities and organisations build supportive and inclusive practices, systems and cultures. His passion is supporting individuals, teams and organisations weave together different sources of knowledge, wisdom and practice to support collaborative learning and change. His current work involves supporting change agents develop a compassionate approach in their work so they can be better engaged with real world complexity and make a difference.
If you would like to discuss this opportunity before booking, please contact us on [email protected]