Compassion is a word used quite frequently in health and social care. Similar related topics such as kindness and empathy are also employed in relation to compassionate healthcare. However, such words are rarely given the attention they require. These terms are very different and it is contended that a deeper understanding (albeit at an 'Introductory' level) will greatly assist clinical and social care practice. Compassion is fundamental to effective health and social care delivery. A simple review of complaints about health and social care practice will clearly indicate that 'not being treated as a person' or being 'a number rather than an individual' is the most cited reason for dissatisfaction with care giving. Therefore, while being compassionate seems obvious, maybe it is a little more challenging than we first think. This book rests on a concern to identify the core components of helping (of being compassionate and being self-compassionate) so that we may be in a better place to attend to our health, to engage in helping others, and that we are best served by understanding what 'helping' means. It is an attempt to view the therapeutic arts and healthcare practice (both Art and Science) through a compassionate lens. There is a very extensive scientific literature on compassion, and it can be dense. This book is written in a style that is true to the title - 'an introduction'. It is intended to be a springboard to additional and deeper reading - and so in order to achieve this, the material is presented in an easy reading style and simplifies some concepts. Preface - rationale for constructing a book about health/mental health this way. Introduction: A compassion primer A brief overview of the book and how it will be used to explore the concept of compassion. Exploring an evolutionary perspective on understanding compassion. Clarify the distinction between compassion and empathy and not the distinctions between sympathy and pity etc. Compassion for the environment: the consequences for health workers and patients (with Jessica Bunn). If compassion is defined by the call to action, we may need to heed the need for change in how we act towards our environment. In this chapter we explore environmental health from a global, local and clinical context and locate compassionate behaviour within this analysis. The chapter will introduce the care work as a complex system. Compassion, self-compassion and being mindful Drawn on the work of Kirsten Neff and self-Compassion (SC). The challenges of Self-compassion. The challenge to narcissism of a self-compassionate perspective. How might we use approaches to SC in health care practice. Provide examples of positive SC and negative SC. Make links to the Burn-out work (See Leadership chapter) and support in the work environment (See chapter on Supervision). Being compassionate and SC is really challenging. Include examples of how this might be so. Compassionate encounters with individuals. Understanding the world of the 'other'. What does personalised care look like. Consider the delivery of Making Every Contact Count (MECC) and other health promotion activities. What challenges does taking a compassionate approach present and why is it worth taking. Focus on the challenge of delivering personalised care in a 'technical' care environment (even in the home). The role of life stories - how did someone get to 'be here' in their need to health and care support. Encounters with groups: the compassionate team What makes an effective team? Focus on all the literature on 'feeling safe' as the key common factor in all high performing teams. How do we promote 'safeness' in teams? What is the collective responsibility here? Understanding group processes (in-group and out group work). There will be a focus on working with under-represented or marginalised groups - those that experience racism, and other forms of discrimination. Focus on Values Based practice and Team working. Note the work of Pa