If we take on board the assumption that social realities are perceived through filters of experience, social position, personality and emotion, then we accept that 'facts' can be differently construed or constructed Compassion cannot be taught as a competency, but we can be made aware through reflexive thinking that the closest we can ever get to a shared truth is through listening to and understanding the other. This paper is a modest attempt to provide some tools for community health workers and nurses who are concerned about the quality of their practice and wish to find creative solutions.