We recently sat down with our Development Consultant, Amina Moti, to ask her about her work with us on The ECHO Project and her upcoming workshop as part of the project.
How did you get involved with The Circle?
I’ve been attending events at The Circle for years, and I’ve always admired how it creates a safe, empowering space for individuals to grow and feel supported. When the opportunity came to collaborate on raising awareness about cultural pressure and invisible labour, it felt like the perfect fit because The Circle’s values align so closely with mine.
What made you decide to be a part of The ECHO Project?
Honestly, my involvement started with my own experience of burnout behind what looked like a “perfect” life. I realised how much cultural pressure and invisible labour were shaping my choices, and how many others were silently carrying the same weight. The ECHO Project gave me a way to turn that insight into something practical and supportive for people who give so much of themselves to others.
What life experiences are you bringing to your workshop?
I grew up believing that being liked was almost a responsibility; be pleasant, be agreeable, don’t take up too much space. That shaped how I worked, volunteered, and cared for others, often at the cost of my own wellbeing. My journey as a migrant and my roles across sectors taught me how deeply cultural expectations influence burnout, and that’s the perspective I’m bringing to this workshop.
Why do you think this topic is so important for people in the third sector and caring professions?
These roles often involve emotional labour and cultural expectations that aren’t formally recognised. People are carrying invisible work – holding relationships together, smoothing tension, staying “on” – and it’s exhausting. If we don’t talk about it, burnout becomes inevitable. This workshop is about breaking that silence and creating healthier ways to sustain the vital work they do.
What do you hope people will get out of attending the workshop?
I hope they leave feeling seen and supported, with practical tools to set boundaries and reduce invisible labour. More than that, I want them to feel permission to choose themselves—to stop performing versions of their life that look perfect but feel unsustainable. Because we all deserve to be known, not just liked.
Amina’s workshop, ‘Cultural Pressures and Invisible Labour’, will be delivered at our Dudhope Castle headquarters on Thursday 4th December at 12pm. Spaces can be booked here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/cultural-pressures-and-invisible-labour-tickets-1975572631923
The ECHO (Empowering Communities, Helping Others) Project is proudly funded by NHS Tayside Charitable Foundation.