Orientation on referral support for the community volunteers and front line workers
The orientations on referral support mechanism under “Hamro Sahakarya Project” successfully built awareness and practical skills on survivors’ centric and do no harm response, stress management and self-care techniques of 49 community volunteers and front line workers (Dalit:38, Janajati:6, BCT:5) from Sudurpachhim and Karnali Provinces. The orientation was facilitated in Surkhet on 17th and 18th June 2025, while in Sudurpashchim Province, it was held in Dhangadhi on 23rd and 24th June 2025. Among the participants 47 were women, 2 were men and 2of them were PWDs in the orientation.
The key objectives of the orientation was to review and rethink on ongoing response to the survivors and vulnerable groups, enhance knowledge and practical skills on survivors centric and do no harm approaches, aware on the stress management and self-care tools and techniques. The orientation includes six different sessions; the introductory session established rapport and trust among the participants, it also helped to reflect on the ongoing approach and referral support built by project or being facilitated by the community volunteers. The second session focused on realizing psychosocial impact and emotional wellbeing, the third session introduce trauma informed care approaches and fourth session enhance listening, empathy and response skills. The five session reinforce confidentiality, consent, and ethics during response. The sixth and the last session helped to identify stress and also provide hands on skill to burnout and cope with their stress.
The orientation was delivered using an experiential learning approach that deeply engaged the participants. Through interactive activities, role plays, real-life case and story sharing, and dynamic group discussions, practice session of techniques of self-care and stress management created a safe and reflective space for volunteers and front-line workers. This participatory methodology not only helped them internalize key concepts but also empowered them to translate their learning into practical actions within their communities.
The one and half day’s orientation was effective to bring front-line workers in a safe platform, review their journey as a front- line workers in the referral support mechanism. Through the practical exercises they were motivated with common understandings on survivor’s centric response reinforcing ethical boundaries and confidentiality. It was also realized moving ahead, a sustained capacity-building efforts and support mechanisms are essential to uphold both effectiveness and integrity in their work.
Given participants reflection further highlight participants take away and insights;
Kusum BC, Community Volunteer of Indreni SHG from Dhangadi, Kailali mentioned that, “The uncovering the survivor” exercise was insightful and can be relate to so many real cases. It presented how the community, family members passes their own judgment and biasness to the GBV survivors. Those harsh judgment hurts the survivors and makes more vulnerable instead if we exercise empathetic listening and non-judgmental communication it help survivors to be calm and share their problems.”
“Through progressive muscle relaxation exercise, I became more aware of my own physical tension and a learnt the importance of managing stress while providing emotional support to others. Now I will practice this technique in my daily life and also teach to SHG.” _ said Nirmala Sewa, Community Volunteer of Aawaj SHG from Dipayalsilgadi, Doti.