Could you work for a children's charity???

[PeachesMcLean]

I've been considering applying for a job with a particular well known children's charity. The job itself would be a good step for me in a lot of ways, experience wise. However, I work in communications so I'd have to talk a lot about the really sad stories of vulnerable children, eg abused children, child carers, poverty, etc (and of course, what the charity does to help solve the problems).
I'm just not sure I could cope. I felt quite emotional just looking at their website. Do I need to get a grip? or am I letting myself in for too much emotional trauma? People tend to say I'm a strong person, and I'm sure I could grit my teeth and deal with it, but how on earth do people cope with a job which deals with such issues? How would I cope with the first few months? (if I even got the job...) Don't want to feel I've copped out of a job where I could actually make a difference, ie, do a good job for a worthy cause, but then what happens if you start to feel you're not making a difference..... God the stress! I'm desperate to get out of where I am, and I'm sure it would be a good career move, but the subject matter is an issue. Any comments on this would be much appreciated. TIA.

[hunkermunker]

Personally, I wouldn't work for a charity again, full stop. BAD experience with a bullying boss in my last job - not keen on the sector in general as there was a whiff of that sort of thing in other charities I dealt with at the time.

[twinsetandpearls]

I work part time for a children's charity but I am quite awareof my own emtional limits , especially as I combine the job with teaching in a very deprived school where a significant number of our kids are considered to be at risk.

For that reason I have deliberatly chosen not to do one on one work with fanilies as I gettoo involved, and it can be difficult to make a difference sometimes if you are too invlolved and cannot see the bigger picture.

If you areworking in communications rather than actual family support you might find it easier to cope.

[PeachesMcLean]

Sorry to hear you had a bad experience hunkermunker. I've always worked for charities so I'm not too worried about that. I just haven't worked for one which deals with such vulnerable children, and that will effect me, I'm sure. I know I won't be on the front line as it were, but how open should they be that this is emotional stuff for people with kids. How do other people cope in that environment? Or am I just a big wuss?

[WeaselMum]

I am a volunteer counsellor for ChildLine and my way of coping is basically to think that this stuff - abuse, poverty, whatever it is - would be going on whether I got to hear about it or not. So actually doing something about it makes me feel better...simplistic maybe but it works for me.

Also I agree with knowing your limits - if it's a decent employer they will provide you with the opportunity to offload and talk about the difficult situations you come across and your feelings - that helps a lot.