There might be a colleague at work who needs your help.

Most of us spend more waking hours at work than almost anywhere else. So, we get to know our colleagues well. We know when someone takes their coffee black, we notice when they’ve had a haircut, and we can usually tell when something feels a little off. 

And yet, when a colleague is going through a tough time, illness, recovery, grief, or caring responsibilities, the workplace is often the last place they feel they can say so. 

They keep showing up. They attend meetings. They say “I’m fine” in the kitchen. And all the while, they might be carrying something enormous, with very little support around them. 

You see the people you work with most days. That puts you in a position to notice when they’re going through a tough time. And when you notice, you can do something simple that makes a real difference. 

You don’t need to know the full story to offer meaningful help. Here are some ways to do that. 

• “We live so close to each other. Can I pick you up next week, so you’ve got one less thing to think about?” 
• “I know you’ve got a lot on at the moment. Would it help if I dropped lunch at your desk for the next couple of weeks?” 
• “I had a big cook up on the weekend and I’ve run out of freezer space. Can I bring you some freezer meals tomorrow?” 
• “Our kids go to the same school. Would [NAME] like to come for a playdate on Tuesday?” 

You don’t need to fix everything. You just need to take one thing off someone’s plate. 

If 12 people each do one thing, no one person is left doing 12 things on their own. The care is shared. The load is lighter. 

That’s what happens when a group of people come together and step in. That’s a crew. 

The Gather My Crew app makes it simple to bring that crew together and organise this kind of practical support. The app removes the need to ask anyone directly for help, it coordinates everything, so nothing gets missed or doubled up, and it makes everything clear, so everyone knows exactly how to help. 

Work communities are powerful. Make sure no one on your team has to struggle through a tough time alone. 💜