Team and Manager Wellbeing in Times of Uncertainty

Posted: 30th November 2025

Looking out for each other in times of uncertainty

My intention this month had been to share insights from the boundaries workshop, however, in the light of so many awaiting the outcome of funding I thought maybe offering some ideas to help manage this uncertainty may be helpful. I will cover the boundaries in January, but for now if you want to see the slides from the recent workshop you can download them here https://www.copescotland.com/resources/boundaries-postcard

Having worked in the sector since 1991 and been through more funding uncertainty than I care to recall, my thoughts are with everyone who is waiting to see what the outcomes of applications may be. It always seems such a dilemma in our sector, is it Christmas Cards we send or notice of posts at risk of redundancy?

The following piece is for selfcare and collective care. GCVS offer a range of supports to the sector and for more formal support check in with what is available. These tips are more around how to stay afloat when the sea of uncertainty is choppier than usual.

When things are uncertain, we can find ourselves overwhelmed by the ‘What If’s’ and when we share these with others, we can find perhaps our worry starts to spiral into producing even more anxiety. This link takes you to a resource which can help reduce the impact of the ‘What Ifs’ https://www.copescotland.com/resources/coping-with-what-ifs

A challenge when we face uncertainty and worry is that we lock into things which support our reasons to be worried, now that does not mean there are not things that may be needed to be addressed, however, when all our energy is taking up with worry, we have little energy left to deal with the situation in a way which can perhaps mitigate its impact. This resource can be helpful for supporting the energy of the team https://www.copescotland.com/resources/team-and-networks-energy-levels as well as this resource for managing our own energy levels https://www.copescotland.com/resources/battery-dude This video may also be of interest around understanding the Reticular Activating System and how when we lock into one thing we can lock other things out, which may include opportunities https://www.copescotland.com/resources/introduction-to-the-reticular-activating-system

It maybe there are problems ahead to be resolved, and while we would rather this was not the case, facing these challenges and finding a work around, or at least mitigating their impact can help. These tips offer some ideas how https://www.copescotland.com/resources/solving-problems It may be there are decisions needing to be made which no one wants e.g. redundancy and while these tips do not replace professional advice, they may offer some ideas to manage the stress this can bring https://www.copescotland.com/resources/managing-the-stress-of-redundancy It is also worth checking out the GCVS noticeboard for vacancies for anyone who is worried about the security of their post as there are other opportunities available when we look for them. Of course, when we have great teams, we want to hold on to them, but sadly sometimes due to lack of funding posts go or hours are reduced so being aware of other opportunities can help us realise that there can be a way through this.

It can be a challenge remaining optimistic in times of uncertainty, however, being optimistic does not mean you do not see the problems, just that your focus is on solutions and mitigating the impact. Yes time is needed to adjust to whatever is happening, however, its then finding a strategy to work through it and moving forward with hope can help at this time and optimism can help nurture hope https://www.copescotland.com/resources/tips-for-optimism

When we are working hard, we know we are doing a good job and then we are not funded it can give our confidence a real knock. Its often not that our application was not good enough just there was not enough money to go around. There are many resources on our site around confidence building for individuals as when people’s post is at risk of redundancy this can impact on confidence levels too https://www.copescotland.com/resources/be-your-own-confidence-architect and in the workplace https://www.copescotland.com/resources/confidence-in-the-workplace

Sometimes there are no easy answers, and I am aware that worrying about funding may only be one of the challenges people are facing. This resource booklet offers some ideas on navigating life challenges https://www.copescotland.com/resources/surviving-the-sea-of-life-booklet It is also a time of year which for many can bring its own issues its why every year we produce our winter wellbeing booklet, we have also produced some other resources offering selfcare ideas to manage the stress the festive period can often bring https://www.copescotland.com/blog/beat-festive-stress

I am thinking about everyone just now facing the wait for funding outcomes. I am not saying for a minute what I have shared is an answer to all of this, my hope in sharing is that it helps even a wee bit. What helps us get through times like this is each other.

Hold on.

Thanks for reading.

Hilda x

Expires: 2025-01-31

More Information: https://mailchi.mp/cae56976e2b5/december-newsletter-7230858

Contact: hildac@copescotland.com