Contributions

Review of the Autism and Homelessness Toolkit: by Pat
Pat reviews the Autism and Homelessness Toolkit. Read her review here…
Stories of Living in Kinship Care Families: by North East Kinship Carers and Kim Hall
My personal account: by Rachel.
Rachel shares her personal account of moving to Newcastle and accessing support through a local women’s organisation. You can read Rachel’s story here…
The Practitioner Client: by Jack
Self Harm Advice: by Steve
Steve O’Driscoll facilitates a group for people who self-harm. This article explores why people self-harm as well as some of the ways that people can respond to self harming. Read the full article here.
Raising Awareness of Domestic Abuse: by Tyneside Women's Health

Oversimplification Stigma in Mental Illness: by Jack
Reflections on Work Capability Assessments: by Stephen

Be Political: By Jack
Using Mind Maps in Social Work by Matt
If you’re involved in social work, you may wish to use a mind map to help you think more clearly about how to improve the lives of people in your care. In my experience, as a User of Social Services in Newcastle, mind maps were the most useful tool that helped social workers to rebuild my life from scratch after I was injured in the workplace. The result of using this social work intervention has been a dramatic improvement in my quality of life.
Download Using Mind Maps in Social Work
Poem: By Lee.
Oliver's Wall of Self Worth
I started with a copy of my birth certificate, birthchart and family tree – then photos of me and my son, when each were young boys – a print-out of my honest CV, ways I’ve earned money and volunteering I’ve done, a couple of job references. Then all the certificates I could find: my degree (very Ordinary!), computer programming (just scraped it!), a business start-up, pulmonary rehabilitation – two of the poems and a couple of articles I’ve had published, letters from charities I’ve fundraised for or donated to, some writings from my astrology hobby, and letters and cards of thanks from people I’ve helped over the years.
I hope others who have a problem valuing or liking themselves will be encouraged to try making their own, starting small (I had an advantage, having lived so long!), maybe with the help of a friend … you could include photos of good time, a list of happy memories, any thank you cards people have sent you – in fact anything that makes you feel good about yourself …
Now, every day when I wake up, it’s the first thing I see. And it makes it just that much more difficult to stay deep down depressed. The record of a life of someone who made mistakes but has tried his best.
My artwork: by David
An Open letter to service users and carers: by Glenn McKinstry

A Lecture by Peter Beresford: By Paul Brewer

Advice for first year social work students: By Allana Stanton-Simms





Involving Older People in Adult Safeguarding: by Sarah Lonbay
