Les Amis residents share “extremely beneficial” feedback with UCJ Social Work students

Residents from Les Amis joined UCJ Year 2 Social Work students at Highlands College to share feedback on a piece of local research.

Shamina, Stephen and Simon co-facilitated a lecture on behalf of Les Amis called: “How do adults with a learning disability construct their relationships with their support workers? – Findings from the research, and reflections from participants”

This innovative approach in working with people who have lived experience and empowering them to share their thoughts with future social workers provides students with invaluable insights hearing directly from adults with learning disabilities, with whom they may be working once they qualify.

Pip, a stage 2 social work student says: “Being able to have face-to-face conversations was extremely beneficial to us as students. Hearing the voices and opinions in person, emphasises the value of keeping the person at the centre. This experience will influence how we practice in the future.”

Meanwhile Yasmine says: “It was very powerful hearing the voices of people with lived experience.”

The session began with Dr Sinead Peacock-Brennan, Consultant Clinical Psychologist outlining her research on relationship-building with learning disabilities and support workers.

This was followed by small workshops, where the research participants shared their thoughts with the students and answered questions about the research, and what they feel are important qualities in a social worker.

Their views were enhanced by short films they created, which were produced by Paul Watson, Social Worker and Operations Manager from Les Amis.

The project was supported by two social work students while on placement at Les Amis, providing an excellent example of how social work students can contribute whilst on their placements, leaving a legacy long after their placement is finished

Jess Garner, Programme Lead Social Work Degree described the session as a huge success: “Thank you to Sinead, Zoe, Stephen, Simon and Shamina for visiting us at UCJ and sharing your work. We are committed to supporting local research and the participation of people with lived experience who are often unheard – we look forward to collaborating again in the future.”

If you are interested in hosting a student on placement; looking to share social work research or if you are an Expert by Experience, who would like to contribute to the social work degree, please contact jessica.garner@highlands.ac.uk