Lived Experience Forum

[Jupiter]

**Applications now closed**

Hello everyone 

You may have seen that we are currently advertising for new Community Guides. Applications will be closing tomorrow morning at 10am, and we are encouraging some last minute applications!

We have heard from Guides that they like the feeling of giving back to a community that has supported them. It’s also a great way to be involved in forum-related decision-making and community building.

We understand there may be some apprehension around being able to balance your own mental health and this role, and that the commitment may feel like too much. However I would like to highlight that the role requires only 2 hours of forum activities per week, spread out however you like. We also provide training and ongoing support, and encourage your own self-care along the way. Your wellbeing is always our priority.

If you are keen to read more about the role and apply, please see this post: https://saneforums.org/t5/Forums-news-and-feedback/Recruiting-New-Community-Guides-apply-now/m-p/854...

Perhaps our current Community Guides have some insight around how they find the role? @eth @outlander @frog @Teej @Faith-and-Hope @CheerBear @Shaz51 

[CheerBear]

Hey everyone 👋

I've been a CG for a little while now and have found it such a great way to give back to this awesome community. I really enjoy working with other CGs and community managers, bouncing ideas around, giving feedback and learning with and from everyone. The forum is so important to many of us and the CG role is a great way of supporting the forum while learning and gaining experience (I find).

I remember being concerned about whether the commitment might be too much for me and how I might manage it, particularly when I am having a rough time (which I've had plenty of during my time as a CG). Being a CG has really helped me manage my time on the forum by helping me find areas and tasks that I am interested in to focus on. I'm also often reminded me of the importance of self-care both on and off the forum which I find helpful. When I've had a hard time meeting my commitment I've reached out to community managers who have been so reassuring and supportive.

I really hope everyone who is interested in becoming a CG applies! I find it a great opportunity to learn, grow and give back 🙂

[Shaz51]

Hello  everyone 👋

I have  been on the forum for 5 years 

and have been a CG for 4 years now  and have found it such a great way to give back to this Wonderful community.

I really enjoy working with other CGs and community managers, it is great having the  support and helping each other and  bouncing ideas around, giving feedback and learning with and from everyone.

The forum is so important to many of us and the CG role is a great way of supporting the forum while learning and gaining experience for ourselves , like I have learnt soo much to help me  and also to help my own family 

I remember 4 years ago when I was asked if I like to be a CG and  being concerned about being able to  whether the commitment might be too much for me and how I might manage it, .

Being a CG has really helped me to grow  .

I'm also often reminded me of the importance of self-care both on and off the forum which I find helpful.

When I've had a hard time meeting my commitment I've reached out to community managers who have been so reassuring and supportive and it is great to have other CG`s support behind me too 

I really hope everyone who is interested in becoming a CG applies! I find it a great opportunity to learn, grow and give back 🙂

And if you have any questions please ask 

[Faith-and-Hope]

Hi everyone 👋💕

I like being a support to others wherever I can, so the CG role actually works like a self-care for me while I am listening to, sharing with, or helping someone work out how to find their way forward .... very important when there wasn't a lot I could do to help my own situation.  It helped me to feel like I was moving forward too.

I would encourage anyone interested to apply.  Part of being a team means you're not in it on your own, and nobody expects you to do it all, or be everything to everyone.  Part of being a CG is working out where your own limits are, and reaching out for support, either in your own situation, or to help support others in ways you can't on your own.  The CG's are a community within the community, and we are only too happy to welcome some new members in.

[Former-Member]

All of you current Guides perform the duties and responsibilities of your role wonderfully well, and I thank each of you for the care and support you have all shown to me in my close to 4 years at Sane. It must feel a privilege to be given the opportunity to give something back to an organisation which has given you so much. I hope you will all be continuing in the role where ever possible.

If anyone else out there meets the criteria, and are keen to give it a go ... I really hope you apply.  The commitment is not onerous, but the rewards are many.

@Jupiter @CheerBear @Shaz51 @Faith-and-Hope @eth @outlander @frog @Teej 

Sherry 🌺

[Jupiter]

Lovely words thank you @CheerBear @Faith-and-Hope @Shaz51 

And thank you for your praise of our current Guides @Former-Member  They certainly do a wonderful job!

[Former-Member]

@Jupiter hey can you please tell me what the role includes? I'm not sure if I'd be interested but just curious. I'm too stupid and useless.

@Former-Member @Faith-and-Hope @Shaz51 @CheerBear @eth @frog @Teej @Shaz51 @outlander I didn't even know any of you were community guides 

[Former-Member]

I'm not a guide @Former-Member  🌺  but the others all are.

You can read what is involved by clicking on the links contained in @Jupiter opening post above.

[Jupiter]

Hey @Former-Member  feel free to follow what @Former-Member said and check out the link in my original post for more info 

[Former-Member]

@Former-Member @Jupiter sounds like a bit much work for me because my concentration is so poor, but I just read the link.

Thank you though. Best of luck to anyone who applies.