Promoting Dignity in Care conference report
This month saw us hold our first joint conference with the National Care Association. The theme of Dignity was reflected by all the speakers and it was good to see so many Champions attending the event.
The importance of compassion, respect and dignity was emphasised throughout, with speakers making reference to the fact that Dignity in itself costs nothing but time. [Although you do sometimes have to buy some resources, such as food and venues when engaging with groups on the topic].
Dudley CIL gave a very well received talk on what they had achieved locally, and Jan [our Chair] got everyone making a Dignity Cake, which were fantastic given that only paper, pens, and glue were available. The day concluded with a speech from David Mowatt the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Health and Social Care.
Thanks go to our friends in the National Care Association for making the conference happen and for the excellent organisation.
Amanda Waring, Dignity and compassion fatigue
I was delighted to be one of the speakers at our London Dignity in Care Conference 2016 where I spoke about burnout as a dignity issue and supporting emotional and spiritual needs. This year on dignity action day I carried on that theme with my compassion fatigue and end of life workshop for 50 carers , both professional and volunteers.
"Compassion Fatigue is a state experienced by those helping people in distress; it is an extreme state of tension and preoccupation with the suffering of those being helped to the degree that it can create a secondary traumatic stress for the helper." Dr. Charles Figley.Amanada Waring writes as a council member, film maker, author and trainer.
Dignity Charter for Dudley
At the conference Dudley CIL presented their outcomes, the link below will take you to the first of two articles about what they did.