Third Term Aspiring Social Workers

My feelings before Day One of the Placement:

Naturally, I was feeling quite nervous before I arrived at my placement as I was entering the unknown. However, it helped that we had participated in some mock workshops in class as I knew that I would be doing something similar to that. It also helped that I had visited Moodswings, a charity that helps people who suffer from mood problems, beforehand for an informal meeting to talk about what the organisation does and what my role would be. So, I was as prepared as I could be.

What did I do?

I was greeted by Andy, the manager of Moodswings, who showed me around the building and introduced me to Sidra, a volunteer for the charity, who would also be helping out with the workshop. The workshop was called 'Craft and Chat' and anyone who was registered with the charity could attend. The session was run by Kate who had used Moodswings' facilities herself when she was signed off work because of stress. During the workshop, we made prints using printed designs, foam and paint. It was really fun and reminded me of art at school. I could see why it would be beneficial for someone who is suffering with their mood as it allows you to switch off and focus on something else for a change. It was really easy-going and we all had a giggle as we worked on our pieces. I also helped with washing the tools and cleaning up after the workshop had finished.

My feelings after Day One of the Placement:

I really enjoyed myself as I love taking part in creative pieces but I just don't make enough time for it. It was lovely to meet new people and have a chat with them. However, as I was so focussed on what I was making, I maybe didn't chat as much as I was expected to. After all, the workshop is called 'Craft and Chat.' I definitely think that this is something that I need to work on if I am going to take up a career in helping people with their mental health as I need to have that ability to chat with them and offer that escape from their problems.

Summary:

My feelings before Mentoring Session Three:

I was feeling quite apprehensive about today's session as the last session did not go as well as I had hoped. However, I knew what I needed to improve upon and therefore, I wrote a rough plan with several examples of open questions to ask if I felt as though the flow of conversation was becoming interupted.

My feelings after Mentoring Session Three:

Personal

I am feeling so relieved after today's session as there was a huge improvement from the pervious session. I felt much more confident as the session went on and found myself asking more questions, using examples and bringing up points the mentee had mentioned in previous sessions to clarify what I wanted to say and offer a more personal mentoring session. I definitely feel as though my confidence has improved throughout these sessions and I feel proud of myself for that. It has become clear to me that I can work under pressure and that I don't need to plan every little detail in order to do well and instead, I feel as though I'm more prepared for curveballs and now know that I can change to suit the situation. At the end of the session, I asked the mentee if he had any feedback for me on my performance as a mentor and he said I was able to take whatever he said in my stride and work around what he wanted which was really good to hear as that is what I had been trying to improve on.

Academic

I previously mentioned that my goal setting needed to be clearer and that I was going to improve that by writing down the goals as we set them so that the mentee had a physical copy to take away with them. However, due to clashing schedules, we decided as a group to complete the session via video chat using Microsoft teams so I was not able to do that. Instead, I reiterated the goals at the end of the session and emailed a copy to the mentee. Using the video chat taught me some new skills as I had never done anything like this before and therefore, I feel as though I am more prepared for the workplace in which I might need to conduct meetings online in the future.

Summary

My feelings before Mentoring Session Two:

After the sucess of the first mock mentoring session, I was feeling positive about this session. I had written a clear structure that I wanted the session to follow and I knew what I wanted to improve on from last time.

My feelings after Mentoring Session Two:

Personal

I'm feeling a little deflated after today's mentoring session. I think after the success of the last session, I'm feeling really disappointed that this session did not go as well. There were quite a few awkward silences in which I didn't know what to say as the mentee brought up new information that I had not prepared for and this disrupted the flow of the session. For example, his housing situation had changed and he needed to find time to look for new accododation. To improve, next time I will ask more open questions to continue the flow. For example, “do you know when your move in date is?” and “do you have friends/family that could help you move to speed the process along?” as this will help me to clarify exactly what the mentee needs and allow me to offer suitable advice.

Academic

I used the side by side approach to eradicate any sense of hierarchy and maintained eye contact throughout to show that the mentee had my full attention. I also followed the SMART goal approach to set goals that the mentee would feel less overwhelmed by as it was clear he was struggling. For example, when next on the university campus, we discussed that it would be beneficial to see Mark and ask him for more details about the assignment. However, I do feel that I could be clearer about what goals we have set together so that the mentee knows exactly what he needs to work on for our next session. To do this, I think it would be beneficial to print off a sheet with the numbers 1-3 on it and together during the session fill out the three goals that the mentee wants to work on. At the end of the session, recap the goals and give the mentee the sheet to take home so that they have a physical copy of the goals.

Summary and Preparation:

My feelings before Mentoring Session One:

I was feeling quite apprehensive about being a mentor as the only practise we had in class was using scenarios in which we were given a prompt so we knew what we would be faced with whereas these sessions were not rehearsed and I was facing the unknown. I was anxious that I wouldn't know what to say and therefore, there would be an awkward silence.

My feelings after Mentoring Session One:

Personal

I'm feeling rather proud of myself as the session went much better than I expected. The conversation flowed and I was able to steer the session in the direction that I had planned and therefore, covered all the steps that we had covered in class. After the session, the mentee appeared motivated and that made me feel really happy as I felt as though I had done a good job. I'm now feeling really positive about the next session.

Academic

I followed the GROW model that we had learned in class to ensure that the session flowed nicely and I also set goals which met the SMART criteria which allowed for a well- thought out action plan. However, one thing I struggled with was finding a short-term goal that the mentee had not already tried. To overcome this, I could try and find a more specific goal that he can focus on by suggesting ideas.

Summary and Preparation:

My feelings before starting Week Two:

During Week One, we were given a lot of information and had a lot to work on in terms of working on the two ILM forms, completing our mentoring sessions and preparing for our placement so it was nice to have the weekend off to recharge my batteries. After the success of Week One, I was feeling really good and I was excited for Week Two.

My feelings after Week Two:

Personal

Once again, I thoroughly enjoyed Week Two. I feel as though this week was actually even more interesting as we were joined by lots of outside speakers so each day we covered new and different aspects of Social Work which kept the sessions fun and exciting. I also felt as though it was easier to retain the information we learned as instead of filling out a document for example, the ILM, we carried out different activities, discussions and role play scenarios that built on what we had learned. Week Two also benefited me in that we took part in a community based workshop which is very similar to what I will be doing on my placement and therefore, I'm feeling less anxious about it as I know what to expect.

Academic

Similarly to last week, we learned about lots of things that are so far out from my degree and yet, I loved it. For example, being joined by the team at Fika and learning about app development was really fun and looking at CBT will definitely help me on my course when I'm anxious about presenting in front of the class or participating in group discussion. During the session on mental health, I definitely found myself feeling excited about what we were learning and therefore, I thought that mental health would be a career path that I would want to pursue. However, after the final session in which we were joined by a tutor from the masters course for Social Work who had experience of working as a Social Worker within the NHS and out in the community, I am definitely beginning to question whether it is the right career path for me. As someone who suffers with a mental illness, I am concerned that I do not have the mental strength and confidence to be able to deal with cases that may be mentally challenging and that is something that I need to think very carefully about going forward.

Summary and Preparation:

Pre-Lesson Thoughts:

I didn't really know what to expect today as the timetable didn't reveal too much. However, I was feeling mixed emotions as it was going to be our last day as a group and I was sad that it was coming to an end but also proud that I have thrown myself into learning so much over these past two weeks.

Today's Activities:

Introduction to the Samaritans

Looked at the Listening Wheel

Looked at the barriers to listening

Listened to different role plays as examples of exercising both good and bad listening skills

Participated in a role play activity using the Listening Wheel

Joined by a tutor from the MMU Social Work Masters Course and looked at the entry requirements

Discussed what it takes to be a Social Worker and looked at the different social work career options

Post Lesson Thoughts:

Personal

It was quite shocking to learn about how often the Samaritans are called in the UK and how important they are to those who are struggling. It was also eye-opening to learn about the listening wheel and how often when we are having conversations with people we are in fact not properly listening to what the other person has to say. Therefore, when we took part in the role play activity, I found it difficult to exercise the correct listening skills and found myself wanting to fill the silence and offer my own advice. As a result of today's activity, I am definitely going to be more mindful of how I interact and listen to other people.

Academic

Having the tutor from the MMU Social Work Masters Course come in was really useful as she told us what the entry requirements were and gave us more detail about the application process. She also spoke about the challenges that social workers face such as poverty, politics and heavy-subject matter. Afterwards, I found myself feeling quite anxious as I don't feel as confident in my ability as I thought I would. I definitely feel as though my lack of confidence in social situations would hugely hold me back if I were to aim to become a social worker and therefore, I am now second-guessing whether it is the right career route for me.

Summary and Preparation:

Pre-Lesson Thoughts:

As our time table said that we were continuing with looking at asset based approaches I was really excited for today's session. We also didn't start until the afternoon so I was able to have a lie in and therefore, I was feeling refreshed ;)

Today's Activities:

Introductions

A talk through mindful activity

Different mindful exercises using chalk

Post Lesson Thoughts:

Personal

I really enjoyed today's session as it focused on mindfulness activities and as on my placement I will be helping to deliver craft classes it was really useful to have a practise and get an idea of what kinds of activities I might be asked to get involved with. Therefore, I'm feeling more positive and excited for the placement.

Academic

We didn't really learn anything more about asset based approaches to mental wellbeing as the class was more focussed on showing what types of activities the NHS offer to communities.

Summary and Preparation: