Putting the social into social work - students take part in virtual disco
![Students took part in an end-of-term virtual disco after a year like no other](/sites/default/files/styles/uncropped_xs/public/student_disco.jpg?itok=eySI9fFk)
Professional Social Work magazine
The digital revolution in social work reached new heights - with a virtual disco to mark the end of term for students.
After a year that has seen studies disrupted like no other the event, launched following an Twitter chat between students, was organised to celebrate the resilience of those studying to become social workers.
It featured DJ Benevolent on the decks playing dance tracks from across the decades. More than 100 students from across the UK tuned in online. The event also included panel discussions from students discussing their experiences of lockdown and their “hopes and dreams” for the future.
Panel participant Ana Menezes, a newly qualified social worker doing her assessed and supported year in employment with an adults’ team, said: “As a newly qualified social worker you are learning how processes work and then suddenly everything changed.
“My local authority did Care Act easement and now we have changed again to old ways of working with some new things.”
Beth Pearson, also a panellist, said she hoped human relationships wouldn’t be lost through the use of technology.
England patron Ian Thomas who hosted the event, added: “Technology isn’t a substitute for human connections but to aid human connections.
“I like it when people show up and are emotionally and psychologically honest. Growing up I met people involved in my life who said and did all the right things but I felt far away from them.
“The best social workers I had as a child were those who were interested an interesting. The way they did that was engage with me and share their own life with me. Their own ideas about the world and how they feel about things and their experiences in life. For me that aided human connection. Where appropriate I share my experiences with people.”
Emma Grady, a second year student and chair of BASW’s Student and Newly Qualified Social Work group, recalled being on placement at the outbreak of the pandemic.
“We were told we had to stay at home. Because I was showing symptoms I had to self-isolate. The first month was quite surreal, being told to stay at home.
“After a couple of weeks I got into a momentum and did enjoy staying at home. I spent more time with my children, I ate better, was doing more exercise.”
Grady said added social work students wanted to connect with each other during the period and social media had provided the opportunity for them to do so.”
“I think this will continue going forward. Students have a louder voice through social media.”
And then it was back to DJ Benevolent and his selection of house music “for serious ravers” to finish the day…
This article is published by Professional Social work magazine which provides a platform for a range of perspectives across the social work sector. It does not necessarily reflect the views of the British Association of Social Workers