Otherwise Employed

What it is
Otherwise Employed is a peer group for anyone who is unemployed or not working full time and finding it hard. Lots of things make being ‘Otherwise Employed’ hard. You might be in this position involuntarily, experiencing financial pressures, loss of identity, routine, or purpose, facing rejection in your job search, feeling lonely, or uncertain about the future.

This is a forum for people to share the difficult emotions around not being in full-time employment, which provides not only income but also an identity, structure to your day, social contact, and often a purpose.

What this is not

- A forum to discuss the practicalities of job searches

- A networking opportunity

What happens

A peer support group is where people come together to share personal stories, listen and support one another with kindness. You will be welcomed by two hosts who are trained TNN volunteers with lived experience on the topic of the group. It is normal to feel nervous, and sharing can be a big decision. Remember you are deserving of care and support. You are welcome to join us and just listen.

Our hosts will welcome you and provide an introduction, then we will ask you to introduce yourself and your reason for joining us. From then on there is no pressure to speak. Our hosts will facilitate the conversation.

A peer support group is a supportive space where people can:

Share stories and how our experiences are currently impacting our lives

Talk about our feelings and emotions

Share and discuss coping strategies

Group guidelines

We have some basic guidelines that we ask everyone to adhere to, to ensure this remains an inclusive space for everyone:

• Our groups are confidential; please don’t discuss specifics outside of the space, and no recording of the group is permitted.
• This is a space for you to share your experience honestly and without judgement or expectation.
• There is never any pressure to speak or share if you do not wish to. You are welcome to join and just listen.
• Please give the speaker our full attention: the person sharing should be the only one speaking.
• If the co-host or I step in to redirect the conversation either due to the interest of time or going off topic, we are not cutting you off.
• Please be kind to yourself and each other.
• Please listen with compassion.
• We do not compare here, everyone’s experience is valid and to be respected.

Please note

As a peer support group, this group is for peers to share their personal struggles and support one another. Attendees are welcome to come and listen but it is not a space to observe. You should attend to engage in peer support. It is not a space for students to contribute to their studies, for clinicians to observe, or for the press unless written agreement from the charity has been obtained.

Who are The New Normal Charity?

We are a Hong Kong S88 registered charity. The New Normal Hong Kong have been hosting our free peer support groups in Hong Kong since 2022. Our groups are facilitated by volunteers. While our hosts are trained to facilitate, we are not mental health professionals in this space. We do not give advice, we provide space for all of you to share, connect and support. Nobody should ever feel alone, and there is always somebody who can relate to your story.

www.thenewnormalcharityhk.org

If you are in crisis and don’t feel like you can keep yourself safe there are immediate services available.

危機求助熱線如果你覺得你不能保證自己的安全

Samaritans 2341 7227 (until 10pm) 2389 2222 (24/7)

Caritas 18288

SPS Hotline 23820000

Directions: MTR Sheung Wan Station, exit E1