Frameworks 4 Change NHS Change Day pledge 2014: By joining forces with inspirational people all over the NHS we (from Frameworks 4 Change) will share our approach to hosting and facilitating one hour compassion circles creating safe reflective space for aligning on uniting values, self-compassion and building a culture of listening, curiosity, appreciation and consistent compassion 1
Compassion Circles Background to Compassion Circles Compassion Circles offer a safe reflective space for dialogue to groups of up to 12 people to who are connected through Health and Social Care. Compassion Circles build up resilience and wellbeing. Benefits to participants Time to re-connect with core values of nursing and patient centred compassionate care Time to consider self-compassion and to make plans for maintaining boundaries and personal well being Time to reflect on culture in workplace and to build a compassion legacy Comments from nurses who have participated I felt comfortable being in a group of people that believe compassion should run through the veins of everything we do, it was a calm and comforting set up. I liked the group of staff who took part in the circle and appreciated the openness and honesty of each individual. I personally found it reassuring to know that other people felt the same way and shared some of the same experiences that I had. Generally speaking I think we need all to be kinder and understanding to each other in the work place. With the exception of a couple of colleagues, I would not normally have had the privilege to spend time with individuals in the group and I was amazed at how comfortable and relaxed I felt with those present in a very short space of time. How do compassion Circles Work? A host and facilitator work together to create a space for reflection. The host issues the invites to join the circle. The facilitator runs the circle. The circle consists of space for personal reflection, thoughts on core values, pairs thinking, taking turns to think around the circle and appreciations. How long do compassion circles take? One hour Who can attend compassion circles? Compassion circles can help to break down hierarchies and at times unhelpful boundaries between people. Compassion circles can be attended by anyone with an interest in being compassionate towards themselves and in building and sustaining compassionate cultures in Health and Social Care. What is it that makes compassion circles a success? The thinking behind compassion circles is influenced by the work of Nancy Kline ( Time to Think ) Paul Gilbert ( The Compassionate Mind ) and Jon Kabat Zin (Full Catastrophe Living). The methods have been tested and refined and see consistently positive responses and impacts as they create a safe space for dialogue about values, care for self and compassion for others borrowing from Paul Gilberts thinking and research the Compassion Circle is a place of nurture and safety which enables participants to be in a soothing state which enables them to consider what conditions help them to be in a state of compassion. Who hosts and facilitates compassion circles? Whoever steps forward patients leaders, carers, nurses, care workers, other health care professionals, positional leaders, senior managers. 2
Data analysis from Questions asked from Survey after NHS Change Day Only the first question of the survey is quantitative. The other questions are qualitative questions. This report has picked out the top most common answers to show quantitative data about the question. Where you see the section named Other ; we have shown 3 examples of answers included in the Other section. Q1: On a scale of 1 to 10 how relevant and useful do you feel compassion circles could be in building a compassionate culture in Health and Social Care where 1 is not at all useful and 10 is transformational? 3
Q2: Why did you come to a compassion circle? Creating a compassionate culture in the NHS is part of my job description To directly experience the practice and think about how to integrate with my own Council practice. To witness others experience I believe we need to practice expanding our awareness collectively and presence the energy that is within us and within the field Q3: What were you expecting? Something touchy-feely and sentimental A chalk and talk lesson on compassion Guided group exercises with some explanation 4
Q4: What did you experience in the compassion circle? It has been an opportunity for deep self reflection Interesting, supportive exercises that worked well in the short space of time allotted Quite close to what I expected Q5: What did you most value about the experience? The opportunity to offer and receive compassion Appreciation Being heard 5
Q6: How would you like to see compassion circles develop? They are so, so needed. They could easily be used in Customer Service as there is little appreciation or compassion shown in the majority of these. They maybe able to get some customers to participate in them too Widely and in a way that honours the depth of the practice and perhaps how much deeper it could go In organisations as good practice Q7: What contribution are you thinking of making to the growth of compassion circles? Influence my line manager Trying to get funding to roll them out across the South. If this doesn t happen then I ll run them myself Showing my team what a compassion circle is and thinking about how we can utilise these across the trust 6
NHS Change Day Compassion Circles examples from rounds Top 5 Uniting Values: Warmth Smile with eye contact Kindness Humility Open mindedness Round 1: How can you take better care of yourself? Have more still moments- not feel guilty about it- time for me Tell the people I love that I love them more often Appreciating something I ve done every day Think about own achievements when doubting myself 3 good things everyday- writing them down I m going to be kinder to myself I m going to do the things I physically enjoy more Contact my brother and sister more often Spend at least one hour per week me time At least 30 minutes a day walking and thinking 7
Round 2: What can be done to embed compassion in your community? Be the role model Be curious about what matters Leading by example Allowing time to think Never assume- listen to individuals Treat each other with respect / treat everybody equally Place compassion at the heart of everything we do Empathy training- everyone is your loved one Round 3: What are you thinking now? Encourage people to look after themselves Call patient by their name, physical contact Need to be offering compassion circles to people in very senior positions Power in everybody has same air time. Take back to team- everybody have their say Letting people say what they want to say- not what they think you want to hear Deconstruct the blame culture To give people an hour out could make a massive difference Shift from performance management to compassionate leadership 8
We have been overwhelmed by the response to compassion circles. We are hearing stories of executive teams connecting more deeply, of diverse groups setting up circles, of people who are not positionally powerful playing host so that compassionate communities can develop. We are inspired by every person who steps into the compassion circle. Thank you for being part of the Health and Social Care system. Together we can build a legacy of compassion. Andy Bradley & Francis Briers Andy Bradley Founding Director Frameworks 4 Change Francis Briers Facilitator Frameworks 4 Change 9