I’ve been reflecting on some of the great conversations I’ve had with members since I started in this role nearly nine months ago. As CEO, many of the discussions I have with our members, representatives of professional bodies and other stakeholders, take place in formal settings, meetings or in committees with precise agendas and governance procedures.
But sometimes the discussions that really stick with me are the chance conversations over a cuppa at one of our events.
These aren’t dictated by strategic objectives, key performance indicators or programmes of business – but by real human experience and connection.
It’s these conversations that keep me grounded and connected to our members, and I value them hugely.
The spontaneous chats I had with members at our Making Connections events in Lincoln and Manchester earlier this year gave me a new insight into their backgrounds, journeys in therapy and what they get from being a BACP member. And crucially, what they need from us and where we’re falling short of their expectations.
It’s easy in my day-to-day work to focus on specific workstreams and business plans – but these informal conversations give me a very different angle and an important perspective on how our members feel.
I get a strong sense from members about what they want from BACP as their professional home and how our work impacts their career and lives.
And I carry these thoughts from members with me every day in my job.
The majority of conversations I’ve had with members in person have been extremely positive. But I don’t want to shy away from the challenging discussions.
At one of our Making Connections events earlier this year a member took time to raise some of their concerns with me. It’s not easy to have conversations like this in person – especially as often these aren’t things I can fix quickly, or indeed, they may not be things I can fix at all.
But these discussions are important in keeping myself, and the rest of the BACP leadership focused on what matters most to our members and our role in supporting them to help others.
Another set of rich conversations that have come up at our events are those that expand on the thought-provoking key note speeches and presentations. At our Research Conference back in May, I found the words of Rameri Moukam, who founded Pattigift Therapy, a community-focused provider of African-centred therapy, incredibly powerful.
Her comments about marginalised communities, and how Britain as a multicultural society is still dominated by a westernised view of the world, have really stayed with me.
The ideas and insight that were shared by conference attendees after that panel discussion at the Research Conference, created another level of conversation and a chance for more members and academics to add their experiences and influence on this topic.
I’ve continued to think about these discussions as we’ve progressed work on our EDI strategy and its associated projects over the past few months. I’m pleased to have had those opportunities to hear from Rameri and other members on this topic to inform my own thinking.
I’m always thrilled to see the response from members to the networking opportunities at our events.
As a profession that thrives on human interaction, it’s obvious that this chance to catch up, network with and learn from others means a lot to people.
There are many positives to attending an event online, and I’m pleased we offer that and make our events more accessible, but it’s always lovely to hear the buzz in the room at a conference venue as people chat.
I hope members find these conversations as enriching as I do. I’m looking forward to more at Making Connections in Glasgow and Brighton later this year.
If you bump into me there, please do come and say hi. You don’t know where that conversation may lead.
