By Alex, our Wellbeing Coordinator
Hi, my name is Alex and I am extremely excited and proud to have recently moved into the role of Wellbeing Coordinator following 20 months as an assistant facilitator with the Learning and Wellbeing Team here at Providence Row.
I began working with the homeless sector in 2002 at a day centre in my hometown of Finchley, and spent 8 years there, eventually managing the charity. It was the first time I felt in a job that really suited me, sitting down and working with people on a 1-2-1 basis. I like to talk and it really helped!! However, during this time I wasn’t dealing with a lot of my own issues. I began drinking, lost my job and became street homeless. I spent some time in residential rehabilitation where I was given the time and space to look at how I could improve my wellbeing and why this was important. It is safe to say that this opportunity turned my life around!
During this time I wanted to continue to work in the homeless sector, having loved my previous role in Finchley. So, in 2014 I began volunteering with Providence Row, initially in their Welcome Area, but soon becoming involved with Learning and Wellbeing team, helping out with peer support and doing group work for the first time. In 2016 I was delighted to move into the part time post of assistant facilitator and work towards providing dynamic, supportive and fun sessions around addiction, peer support, music and film. Now, in my new role, I am overseeing the charity’s wellbeing programme work which includes counselling, acupuncture, peer support and more. Away from work, I am a singer in a modern folk/pop band, a skill I use at Providence Row when performing with our amazing music group, who play together every Thursday afternoon.
The incredible support I received from my time in treatment drives me to want to provide the same care and support for the people we work with here. I am passionate about the importance of being enthusiastic, encouraging and about people having a voice! I totally believe in the importance of both learning and wellbeing, so moving into this new role really excites me. It is so important to allow ourselves to own how we really feel, to talk about things in an open and supportive way and the Providence Row wellbeing programme allows just this. It encourages us all to look at our strengths as well as our weaknesses and to be aware at our needs and wants. To pay attention to the things we love and those which help us to belong. To remember the importance of both the head and the heart.
