Let’s get together

Last week, the LVET team got together in person.

We don’t do it often enough. Like many small teams, most of the time we spend together usually has a job attached to it: an agenda to get through, a decision to make or something that needs sorting out.

This time, we had the chance to talk more openly. We looked back at the work we have done, what we are proud of and what we are looking forward to. We also talked about the things that worry us, what we find stressful and how we each respond when work becomes difficult. It was also great to discuss our personalities and find out what makes us tick – I definitely learned some things about the team! None of that sounds particularly groundbreaking, but it was useful. I came away thinking about how important it is to really know the people you work with.

Across the voluntary and community ecosystem, we talk a lot about connection. We know how much it matters to the people and communities we support. We see the difference it makes when someone feels listened to, understood and less alone.

But connection matters within our own teams too.

The work we do can be demanding. People are dealing with rising need, limited resources, uncertain funding and a great deal of change. There are days when the work feels positive and rewarding, and others when it can feel frustrating, worrying or simply too much. On those days, having people around you who understand makes a real difference.

Sometimes support is practical: someone helping with a piece of work, sharing what they know or stepping in when your workload has become too heavy. Sometimes it is a colleague noticing that you are quieter than usual and asking if you are alright. It might be making time for a cup of tea, having a laugh together or being able to say that you are struggling without feeling that you have let anybody down.

It doesn’t need to be a formal initiative. Often, it is the small things people do for one another that shape how it feels to be part of a team.

This is particularly important in our sector, where many people work in small organisations or carry a lot of responsibility. Some people may not have a large team around them at all. Staff, volunteers and trustees can all find themselves dealing with difficult situations, and it is easy to keep going without stopping to talk about how the work is affecting us.

Getting together last week reminded me that time spent connecting is not time wasted. It helps us understand one another better, makes it easier to ask for help and reminds us that we are working towards something together.

We would be interested to hear what this looks like in other organisations.

What does your team do to support one another?

It could be something organised, such as regular check-ins or time together away from day-to-day work. It could be something much smaller and less formal that has simply become part of how your team works.

Let us know what makes a difference in your organisation. We would love to share some of your ideas with other LVET members so that we can all learn from one another.