Congratulations to Debbie Sheppard, our Domestic Abuse Services Manager, who has retired after over two decades of supporting people and families at Southside – Debbie started as a counsellor and then developed and headed up a successful, highly respected and independent Domestic Abuse service for people across Bath and North East Somerset.
The Southside team came together on Zoom to thank Debbie and wish her well for her retirement. We shared some great memories as she opened the cards and gifts that had been delivered.
Debbie shared a beautiful letter with us all about her journey with Southside:
“I can still remember the day I walked into the phone box outside my house, yes phone box, as if it were yesterday. Money in my hand, still practicing what I was going to say. I was calling Penny to ask for a counselling placement at Southside. Little did I know what a journey I was about to take. I first met Penny on a training day on the issue of Sexual Abuse, a difficult subject but it was not the lunch I remember that day like so many I would over the next 23 years, but the content. Penny left me full of curiosity and wanting to understand more, this was just the start. Always be curious.
I started my placement at number 36 St Michael’s Road, this was our base where we delivered a small counselling service. It was not long before Penny introduced Community Parents followed by a group and as we all know that was just the beginning. Our house, like for so many families, became too small and we had to move, and that move was to Meade House. I miss that house still but know if walls could speak, it would have many interesting stories to tell.
The years went by and I found myself moving from Counsellor to Community Counsellor and then Family Support Practitioner working alongside Lucy. We still remember holding the referrals in folders sharing them between us to make contact and carrying out assessment, so crazy when you consider what comes through our doors now and how much we have developed that assessment process, it literally was a sheet of paper which we wrote on. Lucy was to become my partner in crime, in clinical supervision my sister meaning Penny gained another daughter! This would mean she would have been 12 when she had me so thankfully it was just for supervision. I have loved my supervision, and this is the place I came to love role play believe it or not. Embrace your supervision and be brave, just go for it you will get so much out of it.
We set up a project called ‘Reachout’ supporting victims of domestic abuse, this is where I was to stay, and I am proud of how far it has come developing alongside me. I still look back and smile remembering how hard it was for me and Penny not to stand up in meetings start swaying as if we had lighters in our hands and sing ‘Reach out and touch somebody’s hand’ by Diana Ross. I really thought we might, and we had to not make eye contact otherwise we might start laughing, we need to laugh always remember that it’s good for us and much needed when we work in this field. Believe it or not back then we had to sell the idea of support for domestic abuse and I am proud that Southside has been a big part of setting up that support in Bath and North East Somerset, no need for promotion anymore. The words of the song are so simple but it’s what we do and always remember those important first contacts that are about just this.
Today I retire as Senior Manager and Manager of the Domestic Abuse Service and how did that happen? We all know the answer to that – it’s Penny and being part of Southside. I did this not by attending University but being part of an organisation that believed in me and trusted me, seeing the potential and allowing me to grow. This is our ethos, and you could say I am the proof of the pudding like so many of you now and those yet to come. Being part of Southside has not been a job for me but a passion, it is infectious and the people I have worked with and supported have brought richness to my life. It has supported me when times have been tough and celebrated with me in great times.
I leave with fondness and great memories; I am sure I will be back at some point supporting the Family Fun Day at the farm or delivering hampers on your behalf but for now I need time out and Southside needs time out from me!
In the words of Captain Tom, “Tomorrow will be a good day” and it was truly a good day that I walked into that phone box.”
