Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Things to do

I just feel like writing and writing today. I think it's something of a distraction and an outlet for all the stuff that's in my head. I'm going to steer clear of the semnantics of what's happened and instead get some things out which are on my mental 'To Do List' to give me a little breathing room, mentally.

For Walking for Wellbeing



Registration
I need to register the charity. I've had some success, some less successul experience, but people constantly tell me it's a good idea and registering as an official charity will give us some credibility and accountability as an organisation.

Affiliation
The charity should be affiliated or accredited by whatever suitable organisations are out there, for the same reasons as registration is required.

Web site update
The web site language needs toning down a little - "feeling low" or "need someone to talk to" instead of "depression" will make it more accessible. It needs updating to show we're up and running and requires interactivity in the form of a blog and messaging facility. It also requires localising because it doesn't mention this town anywhere on it, and it'll make it considerably more friendly and welcoming.

Insurance
I need to get insurance for the charity. There's a requirement for liability insurance because I'm taking people out on walks and falls and injuries may occur. This recent episode has shown me the importance of this; I need to be accountable and responsible in my dealings with clients. Insurance will help cover my back in case of injury or legal action.

Counselling skills and support
I need to get some basic qualifications under my belt to improve my credibility and ability to listen effectively. I also need to ensure I have a responsible and effective support network so I can clear-up any issues that may arise.

List of referral options
I should have a list of services and outlets to refer clients to. Part of the process of referral is for the client to actively own the process from the start, empowering them and giving them the benefit of their own actions. Having a list of services may undermine this slightly, but it might make the process of referral more simple for the client. The list would only be offered when a client has recognised the need for further work and requires simple, low-level care. Of course, my first suggestion would be to talk to a GP were a client clearly suffering from depression or anxiety.

Update info form to include confidentiality and limitations statement
Currently, when meeting new clients I make a couple of statements about confidentiality and my limitations as an unqualified counsellor/amateur listener. I then go through a form collecting some details about their medical situation, wellbeing and exercise levels which is signed by the client. I need to combine the two; while still giving the verbal statements at the initial stage, the client needs to sign-off on the confidentiality and limitations statements so I'll include a copy of those on the form itself. I know this doesn't relieve me of any responsibility - nor do I want it to -but it will prove if needs be that I have declared my amateur status fully at the beginning and the me/client relationship is based on that.

Walk leaflets
I want to produce a few leaflets of my favourite walks around town. I think it'd be a nice learning exercise to put walks to print and I'll be able to give them away to clients and the museum in town, all with the logo and web address on, of course.

Arrange group walk
I'd love to take some of my friends out for a nice walk somewhere brilliant, so I want to arrange a group walk where five or ten or twenty of us go out to some wood or hill or something, somewhere, and stomp around for a few miles in each other's company. Steps Hill, Ivinghoe beacon etc looks like a good bet for this!

Check 100-mile plan
My 100-mile walk plan needs checking, confirming, targeting and planning fully so I can go out and go it next spring, followed a week later by Rutland Water 2010.

Personal



Get Residency Order forms
Screw the solicitors, I can do it myself. Get the forms, fill them in, go to court, done.

Create Residency Order walkthrough
While getting the RO, I'd like to create a walkthrough for other fathers in a similar situation.

Walk more!
Since the summer, especially since I hurt my knee and the weather changed, I've been walking once a week at best. I need to motivate myself to get out for more solo walks, although with the nights drawing-in and only four weeks to go until the clocks change, that motivation is going to be hard to find.

Blog about daylight and seasons
Last year I blogged about spring and autumn, moods and clocks changing. I'd like to revisit those posts and see if my attitude has changed at all.

Keep walk log up-to-date
My walk log is important to keep track of my mileage and where I've been, what I've seen and seasonal observations. I've been rubbish at keeping it up to date so I must get back into the habit now I've got internet at home.

Clean bathroom and tidy house
I need to keep on top of the bathroom cleaning. Definitely.

Last night I downloaded some brilliant software to set up some to-do lists. I'll transfer this list to that later today and set some priorities. If I can chip away at these things, they'll all get done eventually!

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