Friday 15 May 2009

"WORK"- it's a four letter word!






Boo's work is extremely stressful at the moment. There are a ton of politics going on combined with a load of egos which really isn't a great combination. The powers that be seem to be making judgements based on no evidence and want to severely cut our funding which will have a catastrophic effect on 100's of lives.
Over the last couple of years we've turned the service completely around - we now have an excellent outreach support service which literally helps save older vulnerable people's lives. The staff have a keen work ethic and my management team are just about the best you could ever hope to have...it's all at risk and Boo's finding coping difficult. I feel so responsible for the service I manage, for the 25 staff and for the 350 older vulnerable older people we support.

I admit that I am a total control freak (I kind of have to be)- but having very little control about the future of the service right now is almost unbearable. I tell myself- "it's only a job", and try and pull back- but one of the main reasons why we've managed to make it something so special and of such high quality is because we have put our hearts and souls into it 100%

I know my boundaries and limit my public stress and anxieties- putting on a brave face for the others but it saddens me so- I could cry. I know I have to look after myself and pull back but I'm not finding it that easy to do.

It could go either way right now- and not knowing is fairly tormenting.

9 comments:

8thday said...

I think when you work with people, and you care, it is never "just a job". I am seeing these kind of cuts in social service spending all over and it is breaking my heart. Something needs to be done about our government's priorities.

Anna said...

You wouldn't (I'll rephrase that - shouldn't) be working with a vulnerable population if you didn't care. Last year, when I lost my job, I couldn't care less about myself - I knew I'd get another one. I worried more about the fate of the kids and families within my care - after all their lives were going to be massively disrupted. Luckily, it all worked out.

shane rocket said...

L*O*V*E is also a four letter word and it seems you do that with the people in the photos as well.....

Anonymous said...

Things I think are insane everywhere right now and struggles are harder to face. You sound like you love what you do, so hold strong and keep the fait the best you can. :-)

reeflightning said...

great pics boo! faces full of life, let's hope the way is made straight to continue your excellent work,

Lemonpillows said...

I know the feeling. We have this nail-biting every year in my service. No money, yet they want more 'work' done. Which means I'm currently doing the job of 3people. Because I care about the quality of the service and I care about the clients and my agents. It's very very hard to back off-especially if the project is 'your baby'. I feel the pain.. Funding is being cut in the most dangerous places.

Solo said...

The glory of the story is that you care.
I applaud you!

Blu said...

If you care whatever job you have chosen to do then times like this are hard. Having people that care is essential, it is what the world needs more of. Bon courage.

Anonymous said...

It's hard to pull back when your heart is into the work you do and esp when precious lives involved.