In 2021 I was working as a senior social worker and decided I wanted to write a book. I knew I wanted it to be a book for social workers. My friends suggested starting an instagram account to promote said book. I didn't have instagram at the time, but was sceptical about using a photo app to talk to social workers. It says a lot about my internalised judgement on what 'professionalism' should be.
When I looked on the app I saw social workers with online accounts, mainly based in the United States. I started thinking about names. How about 'Social Work Sorted'?' I suggested. I liked it. It was catchy.
My aunty was the first social worker I knew. For as long as I can remember it was her job, although she didn't always share details, I knew how hard she worked and how much she cared. She was always a calm force and the person I called when I needed to talk, she still is. The rest of my very big extended Irish family were predominately nurses. I grew up knowing the values of care and compassion.
I also loved words. Writing and reading were my favourite things to do, and when I applied for a degree it was to do English and Drama. I'll never understand why but an A in English and a B in Performing Arts meant I wasn't accepted on the English degree course I wanted, but I was offered a place on BA Drama and Theatre Arts, which I took.
Yes, there were times I pretended to be a tree. I vividly remember a workshop where we were asked to move like the elements, and I genuinely questioned what on earth my tuition fees were paying for. But I also learnt about communication, language, kinesics, post modernism, theatre and art as political tools and how community theatre is used to impact change. I learned to let go, to stand confidently in front of an audience and commit wholeheartedly. After a very short lived module in costume, I also, with my wonderful friends, became the unofficial costume support for every student drama club performance for 2 years. Aside from social work, if you ever need a tactfully placed safety pin during a 30 second interval for a costume change, I'm your girl.
After I graduated I got a job with a community theatre company, working with adults affected by homelessness. As well as this I worked in a residential home for adults with life limiting illnesses. I loved both jobs. In community theatre I had the privilege of creating a temporary escape for people, and a safe space to express emotions and feelings. There is so much held when people have the time and encouragement to be creative.
In residential care I helped people who needed help with every part of their day to day lives. I learnt about dignity, respect and vulnerability. I have incredibly happy memories of music, singing and laughter and I feel lucky that I was surrounded by staff who truly cared about what they did. We tried as much as possible to create a home. Many of the young adults I supported have since died, but I remember them all so clearly. It was this job that led me towards thinking about social work.
I did consider a nursing degree but there was something that didn't quite appeal to me. I thought about drama therapy too, but I kept coming back to social work. I also couldn't ignore the cost of further study, and at the time the NHS bursary for social work masters students was available. Without it, there's no way I would be where I am and I think mine was the last cohort of students who could access it.
I applied for social work and was accepted on a masters course. I don't think I entered into it with many expectations. Looking back I realise how little I knew about social work, and I am so grateful that my degree opened my eyes to ideas of politics and social justice.
I think about my journey into social work a lot. Meeting guests on my podcasts and connecting with so many students and new social workers, I'm fascinated by people's stories and how they started in the profession. Every social worker brings so much of themselves to the role and part of reflection is understanding how where we have come from, impacts where we are now.
Can you take a couple of minutes to journal on these questions...
How did you get into social work?
Do we have any shared work experience?
How does your social work journey impact your current practice?
If this has helped you reconnect with why you do what you do, I'd love to hear from you.
More About Me:
BLOG: My first few years as a Social Worker
BLOG: Becoming a parent and being a Social Worker
Are you a newly qualified social worker?