Social Workers Matter – Details, episodes & analysis

In our last interview before the summer break, #DrAgnesBryan takes an even deeper dive into the role of the anti-racist facilitator/trainer in supporting transformation. She touches on the emotionality of the space, the feelings of the parties involved, and the need to keep moving forward through relationship-building and increasing our political savvy to promote understanding of the context in which race, racism, and discrimination are difficult to discuss. 

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On the 5th Anniversary of The Social Workers Matter Podcast, Dr Sylvia is interviewed by Academic, writer and coach Ms Sharon Jennings.

Sylvia and Sharon discussed various aspects of Sylvia's life and career, including her interests, her approach to work, and her personal and professional journey regarding anti-racism. Additional discussion topics included Sylvia's Interests and Approach to Work, Anti-Racism Journeys and Collective Wisdom, Black African Women's Experiences and Legacy Preservation, Sylvia's Shift Towards Creativity and Fulfilment and Ancestral Resilience, Creativity, and Performing Arts.

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Cath Willams is based at Nottingham University where she lectures on their social work programmes.

In this episode, we hear more about her ver political family and how she became politicised.  Her lengthy career and practice interests

Cath completed her PhD exploring the impact of migration on family relationships. She is particularly interested in the separation and reunification of Caribbean families.  I cannot wait to read it!

Cath's research presentations include:

• Keynote Speaker, Title: 'Policy and perspective on Migration'. International Conference on Perspectives of Asylum, Refuge and Migration, 3 - 6 December 2019. University of Derby, College of Health and Social Care with Early Childhood Studies, Institute of Education, Multifaith Centre and European partners
• Research Seminar, Title: Windrush is not History: The Past in the Present. School of Sociology and Social Policy, 23 October 2019, University of Nottingham
• Conference Presentation, Title: Bringing History to Life: Collaborative Engagement with Older African Caribbean Women'. East Midlands Doctoral Network Postgraduate Research Conference, 11 September 2019, University of Derby
• Conference Presentation, Title: 'Migration, Memory and Mothering'. The Born Yesterday Conference, September 5-6, 2019, University of Nottingham, UK
• Unpublished Conference Paper, Title: The Use of Critical Race Theory as an Approach in Social Research. British Sociological Association Postgraduate Research Symposium. University of Durham, 2017.
• Images of Blackness Conference Paper (unpublished). Title: Focus Groups as a method of exploring the migration experiences of first-generation African Caribbeans. University of Newham, September 2013
• Unpublished Conference Paper: Theme: Health and Wellbeing in Society - Title: Migration and Attachment: The Impact of separation on attachment relationships in first and second-generation Caribbean families. The East Midland Universities PGR Students' Conference, University of Nottingham, 2012
• Past Research

Cath was the supervisor on an Oral History Project recording interviews with 1st generation African Caribbean older people in Bradford between 1986-88.

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This episode has efficiency in mind, my guest Hayley Watts helps people solve their problems. The people she works with generally have too much work and not enough time, too many emails, or meetings.   In addition, she works with teams to help them have difficult conversations, about strategy, getting people to behave in a way that works and making changes that might feel tough but will bring about better outcomes.  She also supports managers early in their career journey.   In this podcast she touches on; advising clients about what to do when you're not available, consulting emails 3-4 times a day - achieving inbox zero, turning off notifications, creating an email 'Actions' folder, knowing the difference between what's urgent and what's important, know your optimum energy levels during the day, creating time to regularly reflect especially when busy.

Services Hayley and colleagues provide:

• Training
• Career Development Coaching
• Change Management
• Executive Coaching
• Leadership Development
• Life Coaching
• Public Speaking
• Non-profit Consulting

Coaching and Training https://inspireful.co.uk/Coaching and Training https://inspireful.co.uk/

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Rebekah Pierre is an author, journalist and social worker.  She works as a Professional Officer for the British Association of Social Workers.  In our conversation in this episode, Rebekah represents herself and shares her experiences, thoughts and ideas on our Care system.  She also shares some of the highs and lows of efforts to get the voices of those with care experience heard by the central government and others in decision-making positions. 

In this podcast you will also hear news about the new book Rebekah has edited titled  "Free Loaves on Fridays" - due to be published early next year 2024, this will be an anthology by people with care experience.

LinkedInhttps://uk.linkedin.com › rebekah-pierre-223b04122

Twitter: @RebekahPierre92

https://www.basw.co.uk/media/news/2022/oct/open-letter-social-worker-who-wrote-my-case-files

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Here is the first of the SWM Research episodes, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Work and MSc Social Work Programme Director at Royal Holloway, University of London - Stefan Brown joins us in this episode. 

Stefan qualified as a social worker in the 90s and transitioned to higher education over 13 yrs ago.  In today's episode, we hear about his work in the field and his PhD research on Early onset dementia. 

Stefan also shared updates on the Mental Capacity Act.

Look out for Stefan's part II, when he shares details on his work in the Race & Mental Health space.

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In this episode of SWM, I'm in conversation with Mike McKenzie.  We met at a screening of his film Be Longing.  Mike shares details of how and why he made the film and gives us some insight into the lives of foster carers who seek to work with social workers and other professionals.  Mike, his wife and his family are clearly committed to their roles as foster carers and used his creativity to communicate some important messages to social workers and others.  He is really keen on effectively working together in the best interests of children who are looked after.   The film is screened monthly online followed by a discussion group, all sorts of issues emerge during the discussion - insightful, stimulating and informative.

About Mike: Born in London to Jamaican parents Mike is a Foster Carer, Musician, Filmmaker and Music Teacher.  He, his wife and his family derive enormous satisfaction from fostering young children. They have experienced some real highs and lows throughout.  Mike became a filmmaker in 2007 and set up DrumCamFilms.  He went on to undertake various projects in the filming world, including documentaries, short films, training and music videos. He has also completed a number of projects aimed at the educational sector.

His latest film drama project is a film called “Be-Longing”, which is dedicated to and directed for the foster children they have cared for and had its 1st screening at the Lexi Cinema in Kensal Rise many years ago.  

Be Longing is the story of a young boy aged ten years old who had been placed in care, living in a foster home. His history includes being removed from violent and chaotic birth parents after a series of family breakdowns, he is torn between accepting the trust, kindness and security of his foster family and remaining 'loyal' to his birth parents who he still loves dearly.

Self-destruction, despair, anger, betrayal, hope and salvation are all themes within this film. The struggle to regain the childhood of this young man who has not yet experienced the innocence of youth is, unfortunately not uncommon for many of today's youth placed in care or living in broken homes. In this short film, Be Longing seeks to show this boy's journey from his very first day 'in care' and charts his progress along the way.

At present the film is helping to connect with many amazing care experienced people, Artifacts CEP, Comfort Cases, Rajinder.keohane, David L Jackson and Publishing professionals. Mike and his team have taken the film to The Montreal Black Film Festival, and more recently to  No.10 Downing Street to meet Gillian Keegan MP, the Secretary of State for Education, and Claire Coutinho MP, the Minister for Children, along with The Fostering Network and other foster carers from across the country.  Now as @MAD4Films Mike and the team aim to keep talking about the best outcomes for children and make more films about kids in care.

Mad4 Films Profile

https://www.linkedin.com/company/mad4-films/?viewAsMember=truehttps://mad4films.com/projects/

Mikes Profile https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-mckenzie-25715718/

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In this episode, I'm in conversation with 3 hardworking and passionate black women; Millie Kerr, Nimal Jude and returning Shantel Thomas.    This was an opportunity to discuss and review the conference, its original aims and objectives.  Our discussion was lively, frank and open - full of laughter and warmth but no less serious about the 'mission'.

Millie, Nimal and Shantel were instrumental in organising and leading this event in collaboration with the S.W.E.A.R.N - Social Work Anti-racist Network. The team discussed what went well and the feedback received, they also shared what would have improved the event, namely a budget! Most of the work in bringing this conference to fruition came down to grit, determination and additional work on top of their day jobs.......... we engage in discussion on the need for senior leaders to really get involved, which will require some deep self-reflection on issues of anti-racism and commitment to action and change.

The team have bigger ambitions for next year and will be working with other colleagues to make it happen, so watch this space - if there is anything you can do to help with the mission an ACTION agenda, please get in touch.

We also hear about the ARM - Anti-racist Movement, a space for healing.  Members of ARM are predominantly Black and Brown women working in the anti-racism space but also include practitioners, educators and leaders.  ARM meet every last Friday of the month. 

For more details, please send enquiries to the email address below:

Email: antiracistmove@gmail.com

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Maria Takaendisa is a Systemic Family Therapist by training but also describes herself as a storyteller, a transformative change leader and therapeutic thought leader. She unlocks change and brings about big-picture thinking. Her psychotherapeutic training affords her the unique skill of understanding and working with group dynamics to understand organisational culture and inform change processes.   In today’s interview with SWM, Maria shares a little about the range of her work, particularly her work in the anti-racism space and with trauma.  Maria is also interested in well-being and healing and shares something of this work and its importance.

To make contact with her directly her website address is https://www.mariatakaendisa.com/

Email: maria@mariatakaendisa.com

100 Great Black Women Speak: https://www.olmec-ec.org.uk/100-great-black-women/maria-takaendisa/

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David L Jackson is currently gainfully employed as he told me, he is a Senior Planning Engineer. He has done many things and believes we should not allow ourselves to be put in a box.  David has also authored a book called 'Oi -Pay Attention. This gets rocky'.  Interestingly, paying attention is precisely what he wants Social Workers to do.  Dave is care experienced and wrote some of his story as he believes and thinks it is critical that we preserve, document and learn from the past.  Dave's book documents life's brutal and harsh reality in statutory care in the '60s and '70s. For the most it was awful; the abuse, his experiences as often the only Black child in the homes and importantly how he survived despite the poor care he received.

As our conversation progressed, Dave shares some messages for social workers, he pulls no punches and challenges us to become more active in our advocacy for those we work with and care for, and importantly become more vocal in what we see as wrong in our profession and our leadership.  He encourages us to not be so 'nice' as this is not how change takes place.

He covers a range of issues, including racism, sexism, and becoming a father.  Dave is an engaging and no-nonsense speaker, so 'pay attention. This gets rocky'.

To purchase his new book please visit:http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1912183730

To connect with Dave follow him on Twitter @childcalledoi

Email him @superdj1mac.com

Linkedin: @ Dave Jackson

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