Social Workers Matter

In this episode, Dr. Agnes Bryan provides a deep analysis of the dynamics and processes involved in engaging in challenging conversations about race and racism. Specifically, she delves into the topic in Chapter 4 of her unpublished manuscript. Dr. Bryan explores the concept of racial anxiety and fear, examining how these emotions manifest in the interactions between black and white individuals. S...

In this episode, Dr Agnes Bryan continues to share another chapter from her manuscript - chapter III.  We discuss in detail elements of 'Holding Spaces for Conversations' about race, racism and anti-racism.  A fascinating discussion where I shared my experiences when delivering anti-racist training and Agnes applied her thinking to the live material.   Do share your feedback at adosylv@g...

Sylvia and Louisa discussed the importance of accessibility for the deaf community, with Louisa sharing her personal experiences as a black parent of her son who became deaf following illness.  She shares some of the challenges she faced in navigating the healthcare system. They also discussed her son's educational journey and his later career prospects.   Louisa's son Ashton is an inspi...

After a break of almost 6 months, SWM is back - in this 81st episode, I am in conversation with academic, author, coach and facilitator Dr Agnes Bryan.  Agnes discusses in detail, chapter 5  from her manuscript: ' Facilitation Leadership & Containment'. She highlights the need for skillful and courageous facilitation as we seek to navigate transformative change personally, profession...

In this episode, Stefan Brown joins SWM again for part II of his interview.  He shares aspects of his anti-racism work as a Social Work Programme lead at Royal Holloway, University of London.   Stefan has worked at the University for 14 years. You will also hear about his interests in Mental Health and Criminal Justice in relation to the treatment of Black Men in these spaces. Topics we cover incl...

Richard Ashigbor is a social work academic based at Southbank University.  Richard is a lecturer and the Course Lead for Social Work at the institution. Richard shares aspects of his rich practice and leadership background and how he reluctantly became an academic which he had not planned. He shares; the route to his academic career - citing the murder of George Floyd and Hackney's Child Q as...

In this episode, Sharon and I reflect upon and explore how we feel about doing this work, our conversation includes the following touchpoints: we don't want to do this forever, so we approach this work with caution, race and racism are part of my life, not my passion, and constantly weighing up whether this is going to wipe me out, this work takes something from you What was our resistance to...

Our guest in this episode is Bash who is the Director of Mkbcare Ltd, a semi-independence care provider for  16yrs + &18yrs + and family support. In today's episode, Bash shares her professional and personal story which includes her progress in continuing her education,  and poignantly, the significance of the year  - 2017 - which was marked by family health challenges, Brexit and Grenfel...

Cath Willams is based at Nottingham University where she lectures on their social work programmes. In this episode, we hear more about her ver political family and how she became politicised.  Her lengthy career and practice interests Cath completed her PhD exploring the impact of migration on family relationships. She is particularly interested in the separation and reunification of Caribbean fam...

This episode has efficiency in mind, my guest Hayley Watts helps people solve their problems. The people she works with generally have too much work and not enough time, too many emails, or meetings.   In addition, she works with teams to help them have difficult conversations, about strategy, getting people to behave in a way that works and making changes that might feel tough but will bring abou...

Rebekah Pierre is an author, journalist and social worker.  She works as a Professional Officer for the British Association of Social Workers.  In our conversation in this episode, Rebekah represents herself and shares her experiences, thoughts and ideas on our Care system.  She also shares some of the highs and lows of efforts to get the voices of those with care experience heard by the central g...

Here is the first of the SWM Research episodes, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Social Work and MSc Social Work Programme Director at Royal Holloway, University of London - Stefan Brown joins us in this episode.  Stefan qualified as a social worker in the 90s and transitioned to higher education over 13 yrs ago.  In today's episode, we hear about his work in the field and his PhD researc...

In this episode of SWM, I'm in conversation with Mike McKenzie.  We met at a screening of his film Be Longing .  Mike shares details of how and why he made the film and gives us some insight into the lives of foster carers who seek to work with social workers and other professionals.  Mike, his wife and his family are clearly committed to their roles as foster carers and used his creativity t...

In this episode, I'm in conversation with 3 hardworking and passionate black women; Millie Kerr, Nimal Jude and returning Shantel Thomas.    This was an opportunity to discuss and review the conference, its original aims and objectives.  Our discussion was lively, frank and open - full of laughter and warmth but no less serious about the 'mission'. Millie, Nimal and Shantel were ins...

Maria Takaendisa is a Systemic Family Therapist by training but also describes herself as a storyteller, a transformative change leader and therapeutic thought leader. She unlocks change and brings about big-picture thinking. Her psychotherapeutic training affords her the unique skill of understanding and working with group dynamics to understand organisational culture and inform change processes....

David L Jackson is currently gainfully employed as he told me, he is a Senior Planning Engineer. He has done many things and believes we should not allow ourselves to be put in a box.  David has also authored a book called 'Oi - Pay Attention. This gets rocky'.  Interestingly, paying attention is precisely what he wants Social Workers to do.  Dave is care experienced and wrote some of hi...

Shabazz L. Graham is the Creator and co-founder of Qcast, a Filmmaker and ‘Questionologist’. He began his career in 2001 making documentaries for government-run projects, local councils and Think Tanks, before taking on the role of a Creative at MTV Networks.  He went on to work for a host of TV channels such as Channel 4, Nickelodeon, Sky, BBC and others, as well as work for top creative agencies...

Michael Watson is a professionally qualified social worker, and author of two books, with over thirty-three years of experience working with children and families. His work includes being a Children's Guardian for eighteen years and for over twenty years as an Independent social worker.   He is an expert in the family court where he assesses parenting, family relationships and the various nee...

In this episode, Louisa Jean-Pierre shares the painful story of racism she experienced at the work she loved.  She tells her professional journey, and how she came to nursing, which she wanted to do from a very young age.  Louisa's first qualification was achieved in 1972, and she was able to specialise in paediatrics, an area of nursing she loved.  Here are some of the challenges she faced,...

Welcome to ep.65 of SWM, co-facilitators Sandie Chatterton, Sharon Jennings, Jo Williams and I reflect on our working partnerships as Black and White educators in the anti-racist practice and leadership space.   Apologies for the quality of the audio but hope this does not take away from the essence of our discussions - these critical conversations are unscripted, honest and respectful as we all n...

Counselling Psychologist & Systemic & Family Practitioner Paula St Ange and Trainee Clinical Psychologist Cassia Keziah Maximen join me in this episode to discuss Emotional Emancipation Circles. Aka as EECs are evidence-informed, psychologically sound, culturally grounded, and community-defined self-help support groups designed to help heal, and end, the trauma caused by the root cause of...

I met Lyn a couple of years ago in Dominica when I spent time on the Island.  On my trip late last year, we hired a vehicle from her company.  As we waited for the vehicle to be prepared we chatted in her office about life and somehow we got talking about her experiences of domestic violence.  I invited her to appear on this podcast and she did not hesitate to agree and stated that she would love...

Sharon and I have a conversation about racism at work.  We intend to have Critical Conversations once a month about issues which have come up in the course of our work.  This episode and as I suspect may be the case with future conversations, relies heavily upon lived experiences and our honest reflections on some of what we have heard from colleagues, students and mentees and our sense-making of...

Here are her links: Book:  https://www.beyournumberonecheerleader.com/byocbook Podcast:  https://anchor.fm/n-yourcareerasablackwoman ND Women'sCommunity: https://www.beyournumberonecheerleader.com/senior-women-nexus ND resources for Adult individuals regardless of gender:  https://www.beyournumberonecheerleader.com/neurodiversity-resources ND info for Corporates: https://www.beyournumberonech...

Karen Burke is a respected and experienced Business Owner, Accountant, Power Up Coach (Personal Performance & Business), Author and Speaker. She is the co-founder with her husband, Devon, of the MindBody Therapy Centre in Forest Hill, SE23, London. Karen and Devon also run a social enterprise called, Therapy 4 Healing. Karen Burke is the author of Power Up for the Year and also the co-author w...