It's all about the people!

Last week Malta hosted Opening Doors project partners Leopoldsburg and Headway for an exchange seminar whose main purpose was to prepare the workshop leaders for the project. This was a significant event on two counts.

First of all it was important for us to meet each other again, this time with a more concrete vision of the active team members in the project, giving us the possibility to come closer to understanding each other's attitude to the work. Secondly, it served as a lanuching pad for the project in Malta. On this count, a public seminar was held at St.James where each project partner presented one aspect of the project that was significant to them, thus strengthening the project on the Maltese front; more importantly however, interested participants were finally invited to the centre for creativity for the first workshop which took place on the evening of the 27th of March.

It was a very particular experience to open the workshops in such circumstances. Initial workshops are always stressful to lead since preparation is that much harder - there are just too many unknowns one has to cater for in the tasks one prepares. Added to this, was the stress of thinking about how many professionals were to be present at this session observing very closely the proceedings of the session, as well as affecting the dynamics of the session.

However, during the session it became clear to me that this was in fact an incredible opportunity. On the one hand, the particular qualities of Steve, Wim, Tanja, and Anne meant that they were subtle in integrating themselves into the session. But at the same time they were strongly present to be able to alert me to individual participants' needs, and to add additional support to the too-numerous group of participants. It also meant there were 4 extra pairs of eyes to report back to me many more of the too many subtle details for me to take in at one go!

I also now realise how lucky I was on another account: Leopoldsburg's team workers and Headway's team workers have had further access into my work and some of the participants we will be working with in Malta and they will be able to understand more clearly any comments I pass, any questions I raise, and difficulties I consult about. How more sensitive will their responses be! (and how much more demanding on them am I going to be ;-)]

Most of all though, I think the whole of the experience was valid for one overriding reason: the strength of the collaboration. Thanks team for the energy you gave! I can't wait to work with you all again in the same physcical space, but in the meantime let's continue to develop our partnership virtually.

I wish you all the very best for the progress of your work.