How we do Care, Support and Connection

We share the work of care, connection and support and distribute this throughout the organisation. This ensures that the emotional labour of caring for and supporting others, work that is often invisible, gendered and devalued in mainstream society, is made visible, seen as important and is not being done only by a few individuals. We also distribute this work to ensure everyone in ATT can feel cared for and can access support when needed.

We facilitate care, support and connection at ATT through:

Matrix Leadership which is a set of practices which develop peer-to-peer communication and connection between all members of the team in the “eyes, ears & mind of the whole” team (in the open). Peer-to-peer or person-to-person communication means speaking directly to a particular person in the group, rather than the habits of speaking to “the group” as a whole or speaking to the leader.

These practices foster transparency by intentionally building open communication “channels” between all members; creating the capacity to respond directly to each other in the open. This increases the capacity to function as a team-led interconnected, self-organising system that depends on the “health” of the communication between all of the parts (members).

These practices build a safe container in which differences/personal/interpersonal tensions can be processed whilst staying in connection and not leading to division/splitting in a group. Learn more at: www.matrixleadership.com.

Ground of Health which is part of Matrix Leadership. It builds a foundation of trust and psychological safety in the matrix of relational connections to generate resilience, adaptability and sustainability in groups, communities and organisations. By taking the time to develop relationships and groups that are “grounded” in what is positive, expansive, nourishing, satisfying, enlivening or appreciative.

We currently have Matrix Leadership/Ground of Health sessions regularly as an organisation and plan to have them at a Circle level as we grow.

Steward System which aims to facilitate care, connection and communication by distributing peer support. Stewards meet with their stewardees regularly, at least monthly, to check in and see how they are doing on a personal level and offer empathy and support if needed. Find out more about our steward system here.

Member Assistance Programme

We also offer external support for those who need it. You can access 24/7 helpline advice and support, counselling sessions (long and short-term). Follow the link to find out more about this free service