Reduce Social Worker Stress Blog

Being on the PTA has helped me to help again

I signed up to be a member of my son’s school Parent and Teachers Association and then for some reason at the first meeting put my hand up to be the Secretary. I thought it would last a year but soon found out it is for the whole of my child’s school life. I struggled with resistance and thoughts of resigning, how can a child protection Social Worker spend more time giving to others in the community? I am unreliable, I always have to stay at work late for some reason or another. To my surprise it has become a very rewarding part of my life; it helps me stay on top of what is going on for my son at school, as I know before he does what the term is going to look like. I can agree to give funds for school books and activities from money which I helped raise. But the greatest thing as a social worker for me is working and operating with others in “normality”, not in the context of people suffering or children who are at risk. It is a great balance for me, to see the world as a positive place with people and children working together, not because they get paid to, but as part of normal life, to make a difference to the lives of other.

As Social Workers, we need to have activities or experiences to help us counter balance what we see in our working lives.

Stay well

Warmest

Gradle