Last week marked Mental Health Week (May 6 – 10). We at WCC are proud to be sharing our stories and magnificent voices all month long. This year’s theme for the week is Compassion Connects.
Meet Nancy Rice, a WCC writer and volunteer facilitator, who facilitates workshops in proud partnership with Mood Disorders Ottawa. We asked Nancy to reflect on her volunteer experience and what “compassion connects” means to her. Read our May Facilitator Spotlight below…
Q: CAN YOU DESCRIBE YOUR WCC JOURNEY, FROM WRITER TO FACILITATOR?
NANCY: Hi, my name is Nancy Rice and I started attending WCC workshops a few years ago at Mood Disorders Ottawa. Writing in a safe and open space was very therapeutic. When I heard about the possibility of training to become a WCC facilitator, I was excited to help create this safe space for others.
Q: WHAT ARE WORKSHOPS LIKE, AS A VOLUNTEER FACILITATOR?
NANCY: [The WCC] workshops create a safe space for everyone to write in. It creates a way for us to share our words, our truths, our beliefs and our struggles when we might not have the chance to do so.
As a participant I felt safe, and open to share what I needed to in the moment. As a facilitator I strive to create that same space I felt as a participant. I can say it has been rewarding to witness people finding their voice in their writings. We have shared laughter, tears and support.
Q: WHAT IS IT LIKE TO FACILITATE WORKSHOPS IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MOOD DISORDERS OTTAWA? WHAT IS SIGNIFICANT ABOUT A PARTNERSHIP LIKE THIS IN OUR CURRENT TIMES?
NANCY: I facilitate WCC at Mood Disorders Ottawa, which is a non-profit peer-run mental health organization. Facilitating WCC workshops at Mood Disorders Ottawa has been a beautiful experience. I am blessed to be able to bring my peers at MDO a place to be heard, and to share in a non-judgmental, positive environment. This is so important in today’s world when there are so many daily and life struggles.
Q: LAST WEEK WAS MENTAL HEALTH WEEK. HOW DO YOU EXPERIENCE COMPASSION CONNECTS AT WCC?
NANCY: The theme for this year’s Mental Health Week is “Compassion Connects”. I feel that our work and writing at the WCC lends itself well to this theme. The WCC creates compassion in their workshops by using positive feedback, taking everything written as fiction and creating a space for sharing our stories and words.
When we write and listen together it we also build connections with those in the group, as we share our experiences and stories that connect all of us as humans. We support each other and empower each other in our words.
Thank you, Nancy, for your inspiring work as a WCC writer and facilitator. We are proud of how you ignite compassion and connection in every workshop.