A social work student has excelled during her short-term placement with Newcastle Diocese.
Sarah White (pictured) became our first social work student when she joined the Diocesan safeguarding team at the end of January.
Now the 70-day placement has concluded, Sarah has reflected on a fulfilling time which has seen her work in a variety of roles.
Sarah turned one basic request into a successful project. Approached by a woman struggling to access sanitary products, Sarah struck up a partnership involving retailer Asda, the Bay Foodbank at Meadow Well, and Newcastle Cathedral, which led to posters guiding women to discreet collection points.
Sarah explained: “Hopefully this will not only continue to help women who need these essentials, it will take away the stress of knowing where to find them. The Cathedral was very supportive. There’s a poster on the back of the toilet door and a system in place where the vergers can fill up supplies at a discreet location for women to easily pick them up. Both Asda and the Bay Foodbank have also played a key part in this.”
Sarah worked centrally with the safeguarding team and supported churches with training portals, parish dashboards and other technology-based tasks. She also worked with children with behavioural problems and from disadvantaged backgrounds, as well as people struggling to overcome issues such as addiction.
Other projects saw Sarah support both churches and foodbanks with safeguarding, while offering one-to-one training to volunteers. She also worked with the Diocesan peer support group ‘If I Told You What Would You Do?’ for survivors of church based abuse.
Such has been Sarah’s development, she hosted a Diocesan webinar about the role of a social worker, hoping to help to overcome any dated stereotypes about such roles.
She added: “I’ve met lots of people and have thoroughly enjoyed this role. I really enjoy helping people and it has been very rewarding. I’m very thankful to Newcastle Diocese, the Cathedral and all other organisations who have contributed to making this a huge success.”
Safeguarding Operations Officer Donna Brown said: “Sarah really has excelled in this role. Her confidence has grown and she has used her own initiative and creativity to devise and succeed in numerous projects. Sarah’s achievements have given us confidence in what can be achieved through such placements. We are very grateful to Sarah for all she has done and wish her well.”
We plan to have future social work placements in 2024. Please do get in touch with either Carol or Donna in the safeguarding team if you have a project or initiative you would like a social work student to get involved with.