Celebrating 1 year at TONIC!

After her first year of working at TONIC we thought it might be fitting for Jess to provide a little insight into what it’s really like to be part of the TONIC team.

What have you enjoyed most about working at TONIC?

I would have to say being part of the TONIC team. We all have different strengths, experiences, and interests and because of that we are extremely effective and are constantly learning from one another. The peer support we provide to each other is fundamental to our success as a team, not only when it is all hands-on deck for a project but also in relation to our emotional wellbeing when dealing with challenging or sometimes upsetting situations.

What have you found most challenging?

I have always been a ‘people person’ and my strengths definitely lie in completing fieldwork such as in-person visits, one-to-one interviews and focus groups. I must admit that initially I found the transition from fieldwork to writing up findings a little daunting. Completing thematic analysis and looking at a blank page after engaging 700 people in a victims’ needs assessment for example, isn’t easy. However, I have found that by working as a team and developing a robust report structure has helped me to remain focused in my writing. The huge sense of achievement once a project report has been completed is exactly what keeps me going on the days that I find challenging.

What have you learnt in the last 12 months?

Good question, I feel like I have learnt a lot! I think the biggest thing is just how important research can be in providing a voice to those who otherwise might not be heard. When completing projects on behalf of service commissioners, it is absolutely essential to include feedback and suggestions from the service users themselves. Here is where my passion lies, and I feel privileged to have heard so many incredible and sometimes difficult stories from such courageous people. The impact their stories have on future commissioning and service design is huge. Seeing a project through from start to finish and developing a good understanding of how the research will then be used, is incredibly important to me.

What will the next 12 months bring?

I think my aim for the next 12 months is to continue to learn from those around me and to further develop my research skills, whilst never losing focus of the importance our research and what truly matters to me. The team, I have no doubt will continue to support me in my role as Victims Research Lead and I will strive to do all I can to help improve support services for those who need them in the future.