Great Expectations
It all begins with an idea.
Without going into a biographical novel, this feels like a good place to (concisely) present where I come from and where I am.
I come from a working-class family, a family that has had its fair share of ups and downs, trials and tribulations. That said, I have had a relatively good and privileged life, that I recognise fully but hold no guilt or shame about. I know where I come from and I know where I’m going.
My dad has been self-employed for all of my life, he has provided an opportunity for me to see that you can have something to offer, skills and expertise and you can provide and live off your own hard work.
Me, I’ve been afraid of being self-employed ever since two bailiffs turned up on the day of my driving test, whilst I was cleaning out my Rover Metro on the drive.
The thought of people taking away my independence, leaving me penniless and powerless has always been (and still is) a real fear. On reflection now, that was definitely the moment I (ironically) thought employment was the safest way to live and earn a living.
Also, it isn’t until fairly recently that it dawned on me that I have always had two jobs, two feet in two camps, two baskets of eggs.
I have been employed in some shape or form for all of my career, especially whilst studying and striving to progress and develop. I’ve chased the funding in and been made redundant in the world of Youth Work, meanwhile always working in Specialist Education and then also with the new bow to my CV string, Counselling.
Through my counselling training, at Temenos, in Sheffield and whilst also accessing personal therapy, I discovered that a condition of worth of mine, is that I only feel valuable when people need me.
Anyway, back to my warped notion that employment was safe. When I examined how I operate, this fear combined with my condition of worth played into me stifling my own creativity and potential.
Frustration and resentment has built up in me for years before realising that I’m standing in my own way and have been for a while.
I decided in February/March 2024 to resign from my employed role working as a SEMH Outreach Specialist, working for, with and in schools, as for various reasons this work no longer aligned with my ethos, approach and values. Currently the education system is a microcosm of society and reflects many things we experience within our culture.
I am now dedicating myself to the people that I work with, work with me and not who I work for.
I decided to fully commit and no longer lean into the fear, instead taking a leap of faith into it and move to be fully self-employed in Private Practice.
I know my worth and If I don’t show up for me, how can I expect anyone else to…
Great Inspirations
It all begins with an idea.
My greatest inspiration is creativity, in all it’s forms. I love the process, the craft, the resourcefulness, the innovation and imagination always working towards that end result.
Creativity is my outlet and a way for me to process, express and communicate. If you’d like to see some of what I do, check out my YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/@RavenCandP
My dad and my brother inspire me, with their business; Raven Repair Service. They are building and repairing a family legacy in the world of Plant (heavy machinery).
I am inspired by nature, I belong outdoors. I love animals and I’m in awe of their resilience, resourcefulness and their instincts.
My course tutor took me on a guided visualisation to meet my ‘Power Animal’. This was a captivating and transcendental experience, which I gained so much from. It’s inspired me to be the person and therapist that I am and want to be. I’m eternally grateful for this Fabienne, thank you.
My connection with my dogs is profoundly deep and our bond unbreakable. They are my daily inspiration and motivation (and alarm clock)!
I have met and worked with so many inspirational people and I would like to list them but as some are clients, it wouldn’t be ethical to list them all, so I won’t.
Just know that if we have had a genuine connection, you have inspired and made an impact on me and I value and appreciate you immensely.
Instead, I will list some content that inspires me… feel free to check them out.
YouTubers:
Mat Armstrong – built himself and cars up, out of nowhere, from nothing, a hugely successful and inspirational man.
Anyone who builds wild shelters and homes – I sit wishing I had the skills and motivation to do that. Most recently; Wild Homestead
True Blue Travellers – a couple who build epic motorhomes/campervans and travel around having fun doing it.
Ten Hundred – an amazing artist, independently doing his thing and making it look great, whilst he does it.
Kyle Royer – a master bladesmith, who creates the most beautiful blades. His talent blows my mind.
Nerdforge – a very talented woman who creates some unbelievable art.
Thoughty2 – funny, clever, innovative, visual and insightful videos on a range of topics.
SHARK BYTES – digestible chunks for me to learn about a fish that has always caught and peaked my interest, delivered by a real shark scientist.
SMOE NOVA - a fantastically talented artist, who creates some amazing spray paint pieces.
Munya Chawawa - a creative comedy genius, making original content that is current, satirical and hilarious.
BM Sculptures - an unbelievable sculptor that creates the most magnificent pieces of art.
Studio Wildlife - another amazing artist, the level of detail, his style and subject matter make this a joy to watch.
Blacktail Studio - I enjoy the dry humour and a bit of epic wood work (and epoxy) projects.
A guilty pleasure is Evan and Katelyn - a couple who make and do some pretty amazing projects.
This list is not exhaustive but gives an idea of what I like and what inspires me.
The common theme with all of these YouTubers is that they’re creative, genuine people doing what they love and were born to do.
Great aspirations
It all begins with an idea.
Ultimately, I really want to build my private practice and keep it evolving.
I’ll offer some further context to paint the picture…
So, after being made redundant from and despondent with the Youth Service, I left to set up a social enterprise. Long story short it didn’t work because of the dreaded C-word (Covid) but also because of my fear to go all in.
I have had dreams, ideas and plans since before this time but never truly backed myself.
Now, I have plans (see images).
I have been saving up to convert my garage, currently just used for storage. I aim to begin and complete this in the next 6-12 months, doing lots of it myself.
I will document the process and transformation and you will be able to watch this experience from my YouTube channel…or not, the choice is yours.
Link: https://www.youtube.com/@RavenCandP
The next stage in my plan is to develop a mobile outreach vehicle, which will be a sensory room, counselling space and a creative workshop, on wheels.
The name of this venture will be ‘Watch This Space’ and it will be an accessible solution for the services I provide and it meets an unmet need, well certainly in South Yorkshire anyway.
This might be a social enterprise or an arm of my business. I’m waiting to see what happens and what opportunities arise with a potentially new government.
Professionally, I want to continue my development in clinical supervision and offer this as part of my practice.
There is another unmet need for professionals in education and charities who work with young people and feel the pressures, stresses and conflict every day.
I would like to develop non-clinical supervision in this field.