What a Difference F2F makes

Today I managed to have a face-to-face meeting with a Carers’ Co-ordinator at my local Voluntary Services Council. This was a text-book example of how dealing with people remotely can lead to bad advice and a lot of wasted time and effort. I met with this co-ordinator face-to-face this afternoon and within minutes I had: the forms that I need to fill in; agreement as to the multiple forms of ID that I need to provide; the news that after some investigation, my VSC can provide a registered body number to support the application; and the welcome information that my personal financial contribution will be an estimated 17.50 pounds.

I don’t know why I could not have been given all of this assistance at any of the times when I’ve been in touch since November. And it makes more of a nonsense of some of the advice that I was previously given and that I’ve whinged about in earlier entries. However, at least I now have some paper that makes me feel that I am on my way to obtaining this wretched enhanced disclosure. Some people do respond better to face-to-face meetings: I’m of the business mind-set that thinks asynchronous communication like emails and voicemails are still valid forms of communication and worthy of consideration and response. However, this is progress and I welcome it.

A good outcome from today is that I’ve been invited to attend a Carers’ Networking meeting on 7th February. I’m being allowed to run a taster session of some of the workshop content. I’m hopeful that this will be not only a good networking opportunity but a chance to sign-up some groups for the Happystance workshops.

Copyright 2006, Tony Plant Happystance Project