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Dr. Gemma Houldey

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Self-Reflection and Self-Care in the Aid Sector: Opportunities and Limitations

17th January 2018 by Gemma

Most aid workers probably know somebody who has been through a form of extreme stress or burnout, and who has set themselves on the road to recovery by taking time out, seeing a psychotherapist or leaving their job. Of course many people don’t take any action, and become more and more sick. But what I’m … Read more

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Understanding the Spiritual Lives of Aid Workers

11th August 2017 by Gemma

Isn’t it about time aid organisations paid more attention to the spiritual lives of their staff? After all, it is often faith of one sort or another that is guiding the work of aid professionals. With approximately 90% of the aid sector being made up of people from non-western countries, I think it is safe … Read more

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What do Stress and Wellbeing mean to Aid Workers?

27th September 201627th September 2016 by Gemma

In the last few weeks I’ve been engaging in discussions that have put the question of how aid workers interpret stress and wellbeing at centre stage. In August I ran a stress management workshop with an Italian NGO in Kenya which was attended by Kenyan, Somali and European staff. Aside from that, I’ve been talking to … Read more

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The Role of Mindfulness in Aidwork

29th October 20151st September 2015 by Gemma

Using the terms mindfulness or meditation in the work setting of a humanitarian or human rights NGO can often feel inappropriate or irrelevant. In a sector that focuses primarily on caring for others, this method of self-care may seem at best of secondary importance, at worst in contradiction to the principles of selflessness that are associated … Read more

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Looking forward to presenting at this event on Friday - open to everyone - where I'll discuss the way forward for mental health in the aid sector, and shifting to a more caring and inclusive organisational culture. #BeWellServeWell #globaldev #dutyofcare twitter.com/HCRInstitute/s…

About 3 weeks ago from Dr. Gemma Houldey's Twitter via Twitter Web App

@MelissaPitotti Thank you Melissa. Sending my warm wishes for this season and the next that is to come.

About 2 months ago from Dr. Gemma Houldey's Twitter via Twitter Web App

My reflections on healing #trauma and being with our grief and our shadows in the year of the pandemic. 2020: The year I came back to my body gemmahouldey.com/2020-the-yea…

About 2 months ago from Dr. Gemma Houldey's Twitter via Twitter Web App

Looking forward to #KindFest2020 this Friday - I'll be discussing how to reimagine & decolonise kindness in #aid and #globaldev. Some great speakers including Prof Paul Gilbert, founder of compassion-based therapy. I have 5 tickets to give away - PM me if you're interested. twitter.com/teamkind2/stat…

About 4 months ago from Dr. Gemma Houldey's Twitter via Twitter Web App

Celebrate #WorldKindnessDay with me at #Kindfest2020 @teamkind2, where I'll be discussing kindness in #aid and #globaldev. Exciting line-up! Friday 13th November 2020, 2-7pm #Kindfest2020 is a non-profit, fully online event. pic.twitter.com/wvfihgyaOs

About 4 months ago from Dr. Gemma Houldey's Twitter via Twitter Web App

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