So for me, social work is about empowering people to realise that
they can change themselves or they have strengths inherent within themselves,
realising that with a bit of support they can change themselves
in a really positive way.
At University of Hull, we train our social workers
to work with children, young people, parents, carers, individuals
with mental health problems, support for asylum seekers and refugees
in the areas of domestic violence, substance use.
For me, I think it's the ability to help them try and reach their potential
and really see the difference that you've made to their lives.
It’s something I've thought about a long time, that is changing my career.
Not necessarily social work.
I went to uni 20 years ago, did a degree in English.
I loved it but never really touched it since.
I had a yearning to go back and to learn something new and then social work,
the vast subject and topic that is absolutely interested me.
So I went for that.
I'm the team manager within Beverley & North Holderness Safeguarding Team.
I always wanted to go to Hull, it had a really good reputation for social work.
You do the university degree, but then you can go off in mental health,
children in safeguarding like I have.
We work really closely with our agency partners
to deliver high quality placements with such a level of diversity so
uniquely in Hull, you can practice within a city area,
within rural and coastal parts of the region.
The placement couldn't come soon enough,
I couldn't wait to get in there and get involved.
Working with children and family affairs placement again.
It can be quite difficult, communicating with children.
As a social worker within your practice, it's humbling.
It's good to help people.
There's no denying it.
I think the placements for me were really important. They’re on the job learning
if you like, so people get to see all the theories
and everything else that they learn.
That's going to stand you in good stead for any future work
that you have.
Been a lot of hard work but
I've enjoyed every minute of it.
I feel really positive working in social work.
It was definitely the right course for me.
Yeah,
it has its challenges, but those rewards
definitely outweigh the negatives.
What's really nice to see is that some of our graduates
then come back and co deliver some of our teaching here.
Our graduates are lifelong learners and that give back to both the
university and the community.