Isabel Sternthal - LIA at Maggie’s Barts

Log 1

Today marks my first complete week at Maggie’s Barts, a cancer support center that provides counseling and other psychosocial services to visitors who are going through, or caring for someone with, cancer. My first several days have been spent acclimatizing to the space, understanding the staff-visitor dynamics, and welcoming visitors. The staff has been incredibly helpful in introducing me to each of their roles and perspectives on the work. I have had the opportunity to participate in several of the center’s activities, including the center walking group, and on center staff meetings, during which the cancer support specialists and psychologists discuss any recent and challenging interactions through which they themselves must be supported. 

My main challenge this week has been to identify what role I should fill within the center, and how I should approach my interactions with visitors. Most visitors, I have learned, are not looking for a distraction from their cancer experience, but rather, are looking to discuss what they are going through with staff and peers in a de-stigmatized setting. As such, while I can certainly provide conversation and distraction, respectful conduct within this community will involve ongoing consideration of whether I am imposing a conversational direction that is not in service of the visitors. At the same time, I have a lot to learn, and want to respect the boundary between my role as a student and the roles of trained, cancer professionals who are equipped to provide appropriate psychological support. My approach this week has been to come from a position of learning, and to follow the lead of visitors. I am learning through observation, and my goal for next week will be to become more comfortable balancing my roles as a student observer and volunteer, while also identifying ways that I can contribute positively without creating additional work for center staff.