SWU Conference – 27th April 2024, Manchester

The Social Workers Union (SWU) conference held in Manchester kicked off with Campaign Collective founder member Simon Francis’s speech on Social Work campaigns.

Simon showcased the active student-led campaigns supported by the SWU Campaign Fund, particularly highlighting a widespread concern of thousands of Scottish Postgraduate Students who are worried about Student Loans or Bursaries being four times lower than the rest of the UK. This campaign will push Scottish Parliament to review and hopefully uplift this antiquated system.

David Grimm, a Scottish Social Work Masters student who co-led the campaign, fought for Masters students to receive a higher tuition fee contribution. (Which is currently £3,415 a year, a means-tested grant of up to £120 a week and various allowances, however, each university has a limited number of awards. Student campaigners have criticized the level of discretion they have in allocating them.) Thanks to the student-led campaign, Postgraduate social work students will benefit from recent reforms to the bursary system in Scotland following a government announcement.

I was amazed by their achievements, and it was truly eye-opening for me; it inspired me to consider the opportunity too to launch a campaign during completion of my Master Social Work Programme. During the student’s speech I considered that I could also advocate for better reasonable adjustments for disabled students at university and during placements. I could start campaigning while still a student, and it reassured me of the value of attending this conference right from the first speaker.

2nd Speaker – Dr Neil Thompson

It was a truly exhilarating experience to meet one of the greatest authors of Social Work study books. Listening to his speech and observing interactions with the audience, I could not help but admire his passion in supporting independent Social Workers dealing with managerial issues and workplace conflicts.

I was particularly intrigued by his insights on “Conflict Resolution” and effective group work advice. These are the areas I am eager to enhance as a student and future social worker. His words have encouraged me to ask questions from a student perspective, especially regarding how to navigate authority-related matters during placements. It was reassuring to find other student attendees facing similar challenges.

3rd Speaker – Angi Naylor

Angi Naylor, a retired social worker, captivated the audience with her passionate recitation of poems and spoken words, addressing socially sensitive issues.

Her genuine enthusiasm shone through, inspiring me in the process. She also introduced her friend Daz Hull, a radio personality, adding passion and awareness to the dynamic atmosphere.

4th Speaker – Sarah Woolley – Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union (BFAWU)

Sarah Woolley’s inspiring speech motivated me to reflect on feminist issues that require our collective support. These included varied subjects such as menopause, low wages, period poverty, and more.

The SWU team did an amazing job documenting the event. Additionally, the SWU Communications, Media, and Engagement Officer gathered together student visitors and provided us with an opportunity to be interviewed in a group setting. It was great to be involved in this way, as I might have hesitated to give a solo interview.

The event concluded perfectly with a live musical performance by Banner Theater, highlighting themes of activism and collectivism.

Personally, it was fantastic to meet other Social Work students from across the UK. I made some new friends and connections and learned about their exciting upcoming International Social Work trip to South Africa, an opportunity offered by the University of Bath and the University of Bradford. While I felt a tinge of jealousy, it also sparked an idea to approach my Social Work department at my own university and hopefully explore potential future opportunities.

Face-to-face networking opportunities like this have numerous benefits. I discovered that there are many ways I can get involved while still being a student. Being an active student is exciting, and I am delighted to have the opportunity to share my student experience. This facilitates bringing new ideas back to my university and inspires other students and lecturers.

I am left eagerly anticipating the next event, the British Association of Social Workers (BASW) Conference in June in Edinburgh. I want to express my gratitude for the Social Workers Union. As Dr Neil Thomson said, “It’s something we as Social Workers, including students, cannot afford not to be a part of!”