Episode 1: Burnout, Recovery and Vulnerability in the Aid Sector w/ Dr. Gemma Houldey
Have you ever looked at people doing humanitarian work and wondered, 'How do they do it?' It's no secret that to work in the aid sector is to become immersed in some of the most confronting, difficult situations that people find themselves in around the world.
In this episode, host Elloa speaks to Dr Gemma Houldey, a facilitator and wellbeing advisor in the aid sector, and author of 'The Vulnerable Humanitarian: Ending Burnout in the Aid Sector'.
The conversation explores:
Burnout and recovery: why they're so prevalent, why there isn't one definition of burnout, and what organisations need to think about to better support their people
Some of Gemma's experiences of living and working in northern Uganda and Palestine
Why radical culture change is needed if we're going to create genuinely inclusive organisations
How to challenge the systems we live and work in so they work for everyone, not just the few
The role of collective reflection, space, silence and other keys to creating a regenerative culture.
Gemma offers various services, including a book circle to explore the themes in The Vulnerable Humanitarian, staff care strategy development, one-to-one mentoring and group coaching. Find out more about Gemma here:
Buy The Vulnerable Humanitarian here
This conversation was recorded in Autumn 2022.
Have questions or thoughts about The Heard Space? Email Elloa on theheardspace@gmail.com or head to epbconsulting.co.uk You can also connect with Elloa on LinkedIn.