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Alison McGowan is a puppeteer and a child psychotherapist; Nic Golightly is a graphic artist who dabbles in design and illustration. Both are associate artists with Blue Cabin (read more about our associate artists here) and have been paired together as part of the charity’s ‘buddying’ system.
Alison and Nic explain how Blue Cabin’s buddying works and the impact it’s had on them.
Nic: It started in 2020, when a new cohort of associate artists came on board with Blue Cabin, and each artist was matched with an existing associate artist. It was a way of providing support in addition to that provided by the Blue Cabin core team – sharing our skills and knowledge. Me and Alison were paired together for this first iteration of Blue Cabin buddying.
Alison: At the beginning, it was a place to talk about challenges and recognise what was involved in doing this kind of work, with care experienced children and young people. As time’s gone by it’s been a way we can stay connected, share ideas and keep projects rolling.
Nic: We get a one-day fee which can be used over the year however we see fit. We might meet in person or online and it’s basically paid time to be together and ensure that you’re both supported. It’s like a mirror for self reflection.
Alison: We meet independently as and when we need it. It’s quite unique in that there’s a lot of trust involved and as a result it fosters independence in us as practitioners. It also speaks to the way that Blue Cabin values the practitioners they work with.
Alison: Initially, Nic created a structure which we used, which included the projects we were working on. Now, it’s slightly different and a bit looser.
Nic: It flexes and changes so it’s useful not to have a formal structure – it’s something we can make work for us. It’s unmonitored and there’s trust in us as professionals.
Alison: It’s a really great way for us to stop and take stock of where we are. A chance to look after each other and after ourselves, which is important if we’re to show up for the children and young people we work with. Often, we are working through similar things and it gives us a chance to talk those through. It’s been so helpful to have that steady, background support there and it speaks to the self care and kindness aspect of Blue Cabin’s values.
Nic: It’s a listening ear, like a version of therapy in itself. And I feel privileged to see another artist’s process from the inside out.
Alison: We’re often working with children who have been through trauma and difficult experiences. Buddying acknowledges that this isn’t an easy thing and in order to do it well, we need the time and space to reflect. It’s important work and it’s important to look after the people doing it. Beyond that, it’s helped me identify what I want from working with an organisation. I know now what it feels like to be supported holistically and it’s raised my expectations of the people I work for and with.
Nic: We all go through times of self doubt and this has taken an element of anxiety away, knowing that others are going through the same. And it does have an impact on your wider work – it helps you think about the work you take on and why. How things align with your own values. It makes you reevaluate what you do as a creative practitioner.
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