THE HUB WAS BORN…” How The Student Social Work Hub is helping to bring a sense of community to a generation of social work students.
The Student Social Work Hub is exactly what it sounds like - a virtual centre of activity, information for those studying social work,” says Fee Steane.
of seven members that launched the Hub last May, weeks after the country went into national lockdown. “There was a lot of anxiety around that time, for everyone,” says Fee.
The Hub was born. Weeks later, with restrictions still in place, the Hub organised a virtual Freshers Week, which cemented its place on the social work map.
“With everything that’s going on in the world, this is a tough time to be a student, particularly in such a demanding industry.
“For students like us, we weren’t sure whether we were going to be able to sit our exams, or finish the placements we needed to qualify.
Kelly Centro, a leaving care PA and second year social work apprentice, says: “We got some good speakers and hosted some webinars.
“THE HUB OFFERS A SAFE SPACE
“We were all still working to deadlines, but without knowing what was going to happen, and nobody had any answers for us, because everybody was focused on dealing with covid.
“We ended up meeting with Chief Social Worker Isabelle Trowler, Social Work England, and a lot of other key organisations, discussing how the voices of students could help to shape policy and procedure.”
FOR STUDENTS TO SHARE THEIR CONCERNS, ACCESS RESOURCES, AND ASK QUESTIONS.” Fee, a third-year student at Nottingham Trent University, is one of a core group
“That was the catalyst. A group of us decided that student social workers needed a community.”
Becky Salter, a third year student at the University of South Wales, says: “We
