Here at We Are Survivors, we have three directorates; Central, Community and Criminal Justice, each with their own distinct teams who focus on delivering and improving their services, pathways and processes. Even with many of us working closely across our two offices, it can be easy sometimes to lose sight of just how far the organisation has developed.
It’s for this reason that we decided two years ago to hold an annual staff conference, where each team can share the spotlight, and the amazing developments that have happened across their services over the last 12 months.
This year, in addition to updates from our well established teams, we also heard from the manager of our newest service ‘OUT Side OUT Spoken’ who shared some inspiring stories from the lads who have been helped find to their feet after leaving the prison system. We also learned more about an emerging project called Loud Voices, the brainchild of one of our dedicated Community Development Co-ordinators, whose focus is to amplify the voices of male survivors across research, the media and wider society. “No conversation about us, without us.”
In addition to celebrating the successes and acknowledging the challenges, we made space for some ‘organised fun’, with a game inspired by The Traitors, proving that those who practise compassion and understanding for a living can still show their sneaky and conniving side. We also recognised the tireless efforts of our fantastic staff with the second annual WAZZIE awards show, with lucky people taking home the coveted ‘Rising Star’, ‘Thirsty Thriver’ and Colleague of the Year’ awards amongst others.
The day was a rousing success and even the most hardened of cynics admitted that they felt closer to and more appreciative of the varied and incredible work that our organisation does every day.
