Staying afloat on the sea of uncertainty

9th April 2025

Self-care series returns

“GCVS is delighted to be working with COPE Scotland again to offer workshops on Self-Care to the Third Sector workforce, in response to the demand and needs voiced in the previous series. We want to support connections and help create a space where colleagues can develop skills and confidence to promote their own wellbeing.”
Sheena Arthur, Partnership Manager, Policy and Engagement team

Does any of this sound familiar?

Being pulled in multiple directions, small tasks accumulating into a seemingly unmanageable workload
Too much to do, not enough time or resources to do it
Struggling to maintain boundaries leading to burnout and compassion fatigue
Feeling overwhelmed by workload pressures, insecure funding, unexpected tasks, recruitment, staff absences
Not feeling the work we do is recognised or valued while being expected to rise to the challenge of new priorities, making us feel demotivated
Insecurity of employment due to funding challenges and the workforce facing many of the same challenges in their own lives as those they support in their work

The emotional costs of these pressures can have a huge impact on the wellbeing of staff across the sector and the culture in our workplaces. Despite knowing the importance of self-care, turning it into a routine remains a challenge. In fact, we may find ourselves viewing it as another hassle or stressor!

It would be great to see there are calmer waters in the near future, but we know we remain in uncertain times. While we often cannot control the systemic causes of these pressures, investing our energies in caring for each other and ourselves can help us stay afloat in a sea of uncertainty and chaos.

Workshops from Spring to Autumn 2025

Our self-care series has been hugely popular in the past, attracting over 100 attendees. Content was shaped by discussion, feedback and learning from participants.

Now, GCVS is hosting the 4 most popular workshops for those who might have missed them or want to return to explore a topic with a different perspective. Each workshop will provide a space to build knowledge, share and learn from peers, and explore useful tools, resources and strategies to navigate your own organisation’s unique challenges while promoting a healthier work environment for everyone.

“One thing we have learned so far, we may have different roles but the challenges we face and their impact we share in common. Working together we can help our sector weather the storm while navigating to calmer waters.”
Hilda Campbell, CEO COPE Scotland

Who should attend?

These workshops are funded for organisations that meet any of the following criteria:

GCVS Members
No Wrong Door Network Members
Organisations subscribed to GCVS HR and Health & Safety services

We look forward to welcoming attendees from all corners of the sector and across a range of roles (with the exception of the managers session). These sessions will focus on the experiences of the third sector workforce, and as such, they are not aimed at volunteers.

If your organisation doesn’t currently meet the above criteria, we encourage you to explore the options and benefits. The No Wrong Door network is a growing collective of service providers and third-sector organisations dedicated to creating a better, more connected system for families experiencing poverty. Joining is free and can be done through a short form found here: https://gcvs.org.uk/policy/no-wrong-door/.

Sign Up

Avoiding compassion fatigue and burnout

15th May – 9.30 am – 11:00 am (Online)

This session delves into understanding compassion fatigue and burnout, including the guilt that may arise from setting necessary boundaries. It offers strategies to incorporate practices into your routine and the routine of the team to maintain well-being in challenging environments.

“My main takeaway is that the way we feel is really common. It has reinforced that it is needed to be self aware and recognise signs of burnout or compassion fatigue and take actions.”
– Past participant

Learning to switch off from work

18th June – 1 pm – 3.30 pm (In person)

We will explore why switching off from work can be difficult, its impact on well-being, and strategies to stay present after the workday ends, avoiding the mental replay of daily events.

Managers-only session: Wellbeing in the Workplace

17th September – 11 am – 12.30 pm (Online)

We recognise that managers face specific challenges, and this session focuses on protecting their well-being while establishing systems that support their team’s well-being. It provides a safe space for sharing and learning from peers.

Boundaries and assertiveness

17th November – 9:30 am – 11:00 am (Online)

Many workplaces’ challenges stem from boundary-setting issues. We will cover why setting and maintaining workplace boundaries are crucial to self-care and avoiding burnout, and explore ideas for establishing and asserting boundaries both personally and within teams

Further support

If you have any questions about the series or about your eligibility, please email policy.engagement@gcvs.org.uk.