My Journey at Harmless – Our Let’s Talk Training Team

My name’s Claire Dixon – Training Operations Manager at Harmless. Sometimes I get asked about what I do, and it’s very difficult to put into one sentence! It gave me pause for reflection on how many opportunities I’ve had to develop and grow whilst working for a small (but growing) third sector service. This is the same for many of my colleagues who have come to Harmless via lots of different avenues, and for many different reasons.

I thought I’d take some time to (self-indulgently) share some of my Harmless journey with you. If you’re ever wondering what it looks like to work in a team like ours, in a non-clinical capacity, perhaps this will show you what opportunities can present themselves.

I started at Harmless in 2016, working just one day a week delivering training on self harm, suicide and mental health awareness. This came at a crucial turning point in my life in terms of my own mental health recovery; a year that saw many of the stable pillars in my world crumble down. I was seeking purpose and meaning; something I absolutely found in joining the Harmless Family.

In 2017 I came on board full time and continued to be supported and developed by my colleagues at the start of a period of growth for our services. 2019 saw me take on a new challenge as Training Service Manager, coordinating and developing bespoke training packages for organisations across the UK.

I love delivering training. For me, there is nothing better than talking enthusiastically to a group of people about something you are passionate about. Challenging stigma, encouraging open minds, and giving people confidence to hold difficult conversations. Sharing personal lived experience of recovery to showcase that with the right knowledge, skill and confidence, anyone can be the right person at the right time to support someone towards a future that feels more hopeful.

In 2021 I joined the Harmless Senior Management Team as Training Operations Manager to oversee the development of our training services. Seeing our team grow and flourish through what was a very turbulent time with COVID was a challenge – but one we took every opportunity to continue developing our services through. We have a dedicated team who are knowledgeable, passionate, motivated, committed and just absolutely wonderful.

What does an average day look like for me? There really isn’t one! We pull together as a multi-skilled team to get involved with creating content, training deliveries, running conferences, attending networking events, writing tenders and supporting one another to be our very best. It’s been the most rewarding 6 years of my working life!

2022 will see a new and very personal challenge for me; becoming a mum. I’m excited, terrified, and also starting to feel grief for the loss of my work – something that has been such a holding and containing force for me. I will be back, but as maternity leave gets closer, I have realized just how much my Harmless work and family mean to me.

If you’re in a position to try something new, and you feel able and ready to; go for it. I did in 2016 and the opportunities for professional and personal growth I’ve had since then have been unbelievable.

We are recruiting for a Trainer!

We currently have an amazing opportunity to join our team as a Trainer, delivering sessions around self harm awareness, suicide prevention, suicide bereavement and mental health. This is the role I started out in – and it’s been a brilliant opportunity to work in the field of mental health in a non-clinical capacity. Deadline for applications is 17th July: apply here if you are interested: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HarmlessJobApplicationForm

Follow our Let’s Talk Training Team on Twitter: @letstalknlearn

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