Today I had a text from the mum of one of my clients that I wanted to share. We get these more than we realise and they mean a lot more than I think those who send it realise.

Just thought I’d let you know how much better my son is today. I met him for coffee before he went off to see his friends at the football club. We had a (nearly) normal conversation, so whatever you’re doing it’s working well! He’d had a shave and asked for skimmed milk ( instead of cream) in his coffee and checked his change. He recognises he’s not well enough to work and has bought a few sweets for the young boys.

All of us PAs work hard to make a difference and to many the differences seem small but if you asked the client or the family members they are bigger than they seem.

Today was a difficult one for me as a PAs. Many of us PAs become emotionally invested in the client which allows us to offer a really good person centred care. I too have become emotionally invested in one of my clients but due to issues outside of our control we had to suspend the service. However the other party were able to fix things within around a month but on visiting the client it felt like a punch to the stomach to see how quickly things had gone backwards.

I can not go in to the details of the case but unfortunately this thing seems to happen regularly and it does knock us Pas for 6 but on the other hand it enthuses us to make an impact again and to get the client to where they were before we had to step back. I suppose it is one of the many tools needed to become good at this job.

Today I headed home with a warm fuzzy feeling inside of me after a day that seemed very difficult.

I supported my client with a visit to see their family, something that has not been possible whist they have been fighting their demons. The client was extremely nervous and stressed, which was difficult for me to see as this only makes it worse for them both mentally and physically. We met with certain people before the visit, made the plans to be at the right place and the right time and then I spent almost 2 hours watching this nervous and anxious person flourish and shine. This person who has been fighting their own battles, and has plenty more of them to come, was able to use my support to get themselves to the place they wanted to be – with their family. It may only have been for 2 hours and it will be a difficult road going forward but we all know the power of being with those that you love the most.

I would not be truthful if I said that it wasn’t emotionally draining, I invest myself in to my clients, and the first 10 minutes after the visit I felt it but then I was suddenly filled with immense satisfaction that I had made an impact on that client. I had, within a small period of time, built up a trusting relationship where I was able to have been there to support them and for that I gain great satisfaction. I may not have been the reason they went or the reason it went so smoothly but I was part of the reason and for me that means a lot.

Would it be too cheesy to say that I love my job? Would it be a lie to say everyday is like this? Maybe but days like these just enthuse me and makes me love the work we do as a company.

Cleaning, cleaning and a little bit more cleaning.

In my blogs I have tried to be truthful and today the truth comes in the shape of bright yellow marigolds. On my first visit it seemed that the cleaning list was used to light the fuse of the bomb that destroyed the clients property because it was a bombsite. However with the help of the client and my side kick CillitBang (and the dirt is gone) we got on the job and actually it was a bit of a laugh. We had some music playing as we slowly started at each end of the property and worked our way towards each other and before we knew it the place looked a great deal better. The only downside being the sweaty hands from being in those marigolds for too long.

Another great day doing what may seem to be little to you and I but something that makes a big difference to my client.

I have spent the time today with my client and some of their family members walking around a garden centre, I know this seems daft or maybe even a waste of time but that is why I love working for this company. You see for my client being with their family is key to maintaining a “normal” life, raising them up when life seems to always be bringing them down. The journey there we spoke about what was on their mind, what little jobs at home needed doing and finding out what help was needed to keep the voices at bay. There was not much in their replies other than I’m good thanks but asking for help is not always easy so as a PA you have to play the long game a little.

After spending time with family members I asked the same set of questions on the way home and suddenly the answers change. Not because I am good at getting answers out of people but because they were relaxed and happy enough to give honest answers. It was almost like they remembered that they had a reason to answer honestly, a reason to keep themself well and that is what the visit was all about.

So yes my visit was a nice day wondering around a garden centre but this was merely a distraction of the issues and low feelings faced on a daily basis for my client whilst offering a reminder as to why they fight so hard to be “normal”. To make it even more productive it opened up a honest line of communication that has given me a list of things to do to make a difference in their day to day live.

The Humanistic Approach is far more productive than it looks.

Any job has a degree of paperwork but it has been nice to see the company putting a process in place that hasn’t seen us PAs flooded with paperwork and actually I am finding it making my visits easier, just don’t tell the directors.

You see BTC (Breaking The Cycle) has grown over the past year and I have been a part of that growth but this does require some reflection and discussions with local authorities to make sure we are doing a good job. I have loved working for them but actually I enjoy the structure the paperwork has given me as someone who is still learning about the job.

Between me and you it has also helped me with my taxes etc as a self employed member of the company as it creates logs that I can refer back to when logging my millage and hours. Fingers crossed we will see further positive developments as the company continues to grow.