As we mark the one-year anniversary of By My Side, our emotional support service launched on December 1, 2022, we take a moment to reflect on our journey and share the achievements of the past year.
The inception of By My Side was driven by my recognition of the pivotal role of self-awareness. Having served as a volunteer manager and mentor leader on a similar platform, I identified a common flaw in many support networks—the lack of emphasis on self-awareness in training. Our approach at By My Side is centered around fostering self-compassion and awareness among our compassionate listeners, recognizing that a higher level of self-awareness enhances our ability to support others effectively.
In collaboration with a social worker, psychotherapist, and university students, By My Side partnered with a business collaborator to develop our platform, officially registering our LLC company in Wyoming, USA, in 2022.
Following the establishment, we dedicated months to crafting a comprehensive training program for our volunteers, covering essential aspects such as self-awareness, self-care, active listening, and compassion. To enhance the learning process, we incorporated mock chat practices with mentors, allowing volunteers to gain practical experience before handling real chat requests. Typically, trainees complete our program in about four weeks, equipped with the skills necessary for providing effective support.
Over the course of this year, we’ve had the privilege of assisting over 500 individuals through online emotional support chats. Additionally, we’ve formed a valuable collaboration with online-therapy.com, offering affordable online therapy. Looking ahead, we plan to extend our collaborations to include more private practice therapists who align with our standards of compassion and therapy effectiveness.
In our commitment to 24/7 service availability, we are actively expanding our volunteer base and striving to provide support in multiple languages. As our listener community grows, so too will our language options.
Moreover, the recent surge in conflicts and wars has heightened the prevalence of trauma among affected individuals. Our business idea addresses this pressing need by offering dedicated crisis response resources to those impacted. We aim to collaborate with local communities, establishing ourselves as a reliable source of emotional support. This not only aligns with our motivation to aid those facing trauma but also presents an opportunity to contribute meaningfully in times of crisis. Despite recognizing the challenges associated with navigating complex geopolitical situations and fostering trust within diverse communities, our commitment is to overcome these obstacles and make a positive impact by extending empathetic support to those in need during tumultuous times.
Looking forward to the next year, we have exciting plans to offer supporter-only content and products on Ko-fi. This will include a series of in-depth articles and videos discussing various mental health topics and practical applications of self-awareness and self-compassion in daily life. We aim to create more tools that empower individuals to understand and heal.
Thank you for being part of our journey. Together, we are making a difference in the lives of those seeking support and understanding.
Author: Yee Ling Cheung