Combining the learnings of the NHS and military approaches to disaster and recovery.
For the benefit of the world.
1. Understand, lead and share the Buddy Principles.
These are the FrontlineBuddy fundamental Principles. How we look out for each other and how we speak with each other in teams. In a language and framework that your team understands.
Listen.
Listen to each other compassionately. Allow time for sharing. Acknowledge your own and each other’s emotional state. Then help each other to stay with it, focus on the task, stay on target. Get the job done.
Support.
A buddy is there for you to speak with, at that moment in time when you are in need. We all are. We are all each other’s buddy. If a person is busy they will get to you just as soon as they can. They will be there. For the duration.
Understand.
We expect you to take an emotional hit. Of course. That’s natural. It’s because of who you are. And with support and a moment of time we expect you to get up and be stronger.
Care.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget to take care of ourselves. Simple things like taking a break, having a hot drink, a shower or speaking to the ones we love. A buddy will remind you and help you feel ready to get back on track.
2. Be clear with your team about Buddy Boundaries.
All new systems need their Boundaries to be clear. Here for you and your team to read and understand.
This is a personalised relationship, not a personal relationship.
Your buddy needs you to be responsive and available. They need you to be aware of their needs as a fellow clinician and the dilemmas that they are facing. Although you can of course draw on your own experience, unless you have previous knowledge of each other, this is not a space for you to make a new friend so professional body rules apply.
This is support,
not therapy.
The model we have applied is specifically designed to support and encourage in the face of adversity. This is not about exploring past experiences or an in depth analysis. Nor is it a regular debrief on a day to day basis. This is about motivational and professional support between you and your team mates when you really need it.
When things get tough we may need to let other people know.
Sometimes things go beyond the normal, especially when things are really hard. Sometimes things just stay with us and make it difficult for us to do our job. It’s not our fault, it’s just the way things go, for the moment. A real Buddy will help you tell others so you can get help, or they may need to do the reaching out on your behalf.
We have tried to mitigate many of the risks by creating the Buddy boundaries. With any new system or approach this is open to misinterpretation or misuse. It is important for people using FrontlineBuddy to be supported in its use by Leaders who take responsibility in applying the mindset and overseeing its adoption in practice. It is important that Leaders provide their team with the right level of training that meets their needs. It is also important for people using the system to be clear of lines of responsibility and when and how to raise concerns if necessary through a clear management structure, particularly if team members require extra training or are experiencing stress or mental health difficulties.
3. Be part of a bigger team.
Buddy Platform.
Buddy has created a private space on LinkedIn to help people share and learn about the Buddy Mindset. By talking and learning together we can develop the Buddy Mindset while learning from each other.
We are constantly updating the website and training material based on your feedback so do help us continue to grow and evolve. Your thoughts are invaluable to us, and we know your time is precious so we have made the login process as smooth and simple as possible.
Buddy for Teams.
The Buddy Mindset material has been designed to be easily accessible and work across human cultures and spaces. The material we have developed is free for you to download and share with your colleagues, co-workers and teams. In whichever type of organisation or group you choose. You download Buddy. You choose how to apply Buddy.
Stay in touch with us on the platform and we can let you know about updates, new videos and training materials. We will help support the Buddy work that you are doing.
Buddy for Leaders.
Being a leader means you create your team’s culture. At this moment in time this comes with a greater sense of responsibility.
You may be asked to listen and hold onto things from your colleagues in a way that you may not been used to before. Sometimes conversational boundaries move into the personal given the stress of current circumstances. Navigating this emotional landscape may be a challenge. A Buddy Consultant can help and support you through this process.
We currently have a small team of Buddy Consultants who are available free of charge to help you apply Buddy across your organisation and support you at this time of crisis.
