I was thinking about ‘what is an interaction?’ I think it can be as small as a smile, a look or a handshake. Lots of these small, but important, interactions may build up to something as grand as a few days away on holiday but, individually, they are just as important. The key thing is noticing the opportunities and responding in a way that works for the person.
I work in a large service and I meet people throughout the day, but I always try and make time for everyone. I try to really listen to people. I think it’s important that I don’t appear to be too busy on something else and that I show how pleased I am to spend even just a few minutes giving someone time to voice a concern, share something exciting or have some fun.
We are all different and interact in many ways so really getting to know the person and understanding what works for them is going to get the best results. Skilled use of eye contact, touch (where appropriate), and positioning are essential, but for me I think warmth is one of the most important skills. It’s about knowing the person you are interacting with, understanding how he/she wants to be supported, sharing a laugh or a smile, and definitely not taking over.
The facilitation skills may look basic, even easy, but we need to keep exploring them and trying to get better at using them. We can enjoy this learning, and the results of better support for people make it so worthwhile.
For me, it's not just a 'work requirement’; it's a lifelong basic...!
Roy Canvin
Support Worker, Milton Keynes