Mentoring Partnership

I started mentoring when I was going through a very difficult time at work. I was feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure of myself. In the beginning, Jac helped me to slow down and talk through what was happening in my workplace. I was able to think more clearly about situations, including whether the right processes and procedures were being followed by my managers. As the sessions continued, Jac supported me in managing different workplace pressures. I started to feel more confident in how I handled challenges and situations at work.

During this time, I was also struggling with imposter syndrome and often doubted myself. Through our sessions, Jac helped me to see my strengths and believe in myself more. Over time, I was able to reflect on my actions, improve in areas I needed to, and grow both personally and professionally. Jac was a real support to me during a very difficult time in my career. I don’t think I would have managed without the sessions. Thank you, Jac, for your patience, support, and guidance.

C.S - Team Manager

I have found your support and website inspiring to me as a practitioner. It has made me realise that I do have a voice which is powerful and can make a positive difference for others. My confidence has grown and I am embedding the Social Graces/systemic practice as part of my role as a social work practitioner and supporting my staff. I am thankful for your time and support. You would be an asset to many.

VS – Advanced Social Work Practitioner

This was the first time I had undergone formal mentoring sessions and I can honestly say it has positively impacted on me in the personal and professional sense. Why personal? Because Jac allowed me a safe space to discuss my anxieties as a manager particularly in terms of suffering from the dreaded “imposter syndrome”, and in the professional sense, Jac allowed me the space to let go of things that did not matter and to focus on developing myself as a manager and leader. I would highly recommend Jac and would not hesitate in approaching her again for support and advice.

Nadeem - Social Work Manager

I really didn’t know what to expect from mentoring. A lot has been going on for me at work and I needed an independent space to talk, but to be quite honest, I was done talking. But VOW offers a very different way of thinking, and the Metro Map helped put my experiences into words. The focus is on you and I was helped to strategize. That alone has made such a difference!

Julie S– Social Worker

I found our conversations helpful. When you are facing systemic racism and inequitable treatment the impact is significant as well as emotionally draining. This could have affected my capacity to respond with emotional intelligence. Because I have felt grounded by our discussions, I have been able to think rationally and to keep the focus on whether my managers have followed process and procedure. I also like the thought of catching or deflecting hypothetical arrows and missiles before they cause me harm. I have found our connection inspiring. I’m going to build on the realization that the fight is [not just] about fighting against the system for myself but fighting for others who don’t feel able to fight for themselves or whose fight is still yet to come.

NB - Service Manager

Jac helped me navigate the challenges I had in supervision. She helped me think through the situation and what I was bringing to the table and what was on the table. She helped me implement strategies to help me move forward.

Toni W– LAC Social Worker