D9: Wellness and Self-Care for Service Providers
This workshop aims to raise awareness of the importance of wellness and self-care for service providers who work within the settlement sector. As professionals in the settlement sector strive to function effectively and maintain a high level of competence and confidence in their personal and work environment, this workshop will help participants to develop strategies for wellness and self-care. An understanding of the challenges and conflicts of working and living in one’s own community as a settlement worker will be explored. Topics will include a comprehensive assessment of one’s strengths, limitations, fears about personal safety, and expectations that are both internally and externally imposed. In addition, the importance of maintaining professional and personal boundaries will be emphasized. The workshop will include an open discussion of what wellness is, and identify factors that threaten to erode wellness both within and outside of the work environment. Symptoms and the effects of unmanaged stress, and managing personal feelings of anger, rejection, hopelessness and despair, which can arise from working with those who have acute and constant needs will also be examined. To conclude the workshop participants will develop a wellness and self-care plan from a strengths-based and holistic perspective.
Inderjit Grewal (M.S.W) has extensive experience in the field of domestic violence and child abuse. Inderjit is currently a Child Protection Worker with the Halton Children’s Aid Society, and previously worked with the Windsor-Essex Children’s Aid Society as a Family Service Worker, Diversity Manager, and Case Aide Supervisor. Inderjit has also worked with Hiatus House, a shelter for abused women, and as a University of Windsor Social Work department instructor. Inderjit has conducted numerous workshops in the community and with OCASI regarding domestic violence, elder abuse, stress and vicarious trauma, wellness and self-care, and assessment and intervention skills for families.
