notes from the field
Where is home and what does it mean to you? It can be a physical building but for many of us it is a feeling, a place, a smell or a view. The people who know you, being a ‘regular’, stopping for a chat, a beaten track and reassuring landmarks. When you’ve lived somewhere all …
Interested in using Near Me in a rural social work setting? A call is open to participate in a new project exploring where Near Me video consulting software can be most effectively and usefully applied in social services. In partnership with the Scottish Government Near Me team (Technology Enabled Care Programme), Iriss is leading this …
On 11 March 2020, over 100 social workers came together in Dumfries to celebrate rural social work, share good practice and understand how it is different, distinct and what it needs to flourish. And as far as we are aware, it was also the very first gathering of this kind – with rural social work …
Celebrating Rural Social Work – conference report now available Read More »
Well, times they are a-changin’…. again. The people we serve from the COVID support Hub have been advised that they no longer need to shield from the end of July. This will be a long-awaited escape for some, others see it as a frightening exposure to increased risk. This dichotomy is reflected throughout Orkney. Many …
It’s been 129 days since the lockdown began. This has been an unsettling and worrying time but also a time for reflexion and hope. It has been an opportunity for communities and neighbourhoods to show that they care and support one another. For us social workers this has been a challenging time in developing and …
This study aimed to reveal the challenges and associated innovative practice by social workers in rural and isolated communities, families and individuals in Cumbria. Through focus groups and interviews with practising social workers within Cumbria, the study found that social workers experienced both challenges and opportunities created by their work in rural areas. These are …
As lockdown enters its fourth month I have been reflecting on the Celebrating Rural Social Work conference (11.3.2020) and wondering, might this be a time of opportunity for rural social workers? As rural social workers we have much in common and this includes our remoteness from one another. At the outset of planning the conference …
Celebrating Rural Social Work – online opportunities and futures Read More »
I have been on annual leave for the past week. I must say that although I had booked this holiday at the beginning of the year (a 3 week holiday) I struggled making a decision as to whether I should take the time off. I ended up taking just 6 days. My line manager has …
Looking after ourselves and the community during lockdown Read More »
Well, it looks like things may be improving, fingers crossed, touch wood and all that. We have heard about the lower ‘R’ number, being over the worst of the infection and curves flattening (unfortunately, not my curves). As I look out the window of the leisure centre, the one with the pool view, I see …
I’m still here in the COVID Community Support Hub with my pool view, although it’s not the pool I was expecting, I was to have been in Bucharest by now. However, it could be worse and for many people it certainly is. At the time of writing more people in Scotland are dying in care …