Memories from the Forgotten Frontline
Capturing loss , change and transition in social work during Covid-19
On 23rd March 2020 the Prime Minister, addressed the British people on the plans for limiting the Covid-19 pandemic
“From this evening I must give the British people a very simple instruction - you must stay at home.”
At this point the future was uncertain, it felt impossible to understand what was being asked or what the consequences would be.
The whole country had had their personal and professional lives disrupted, this was no less true of those involved in social work.
The profession itself also lacked the public recognition and support given to other services, causing Dr Ruth Allen, BASW Chief Executive to call Social Work the ‘forgotten frontline.”
The Project
The University of Chichester Institute of Education, Social and Life Sciences and West Sussex County Council, are delivering a pilot research project, ‘Memories from the Forgotten Frontline’ which will capture social worker’s significant moments from the Covid-19.
The research and website draw on a tradition of memory work within Social Work. As a profession, Social Work often lacked the public respect and recognition more frequently shown to NHS and healthcare workers during the pandemic, with initiatives such as ‘Clap for Heroes.’ This digital archive in collaboration with West Sussex County Council will increase the visibility of Social Work as a profession, enhancing the experiences of social workers and the people with whom they work.
The project builds on existing work by the Principal Investigator : https://www.criticalpublishing.com/social-work-and-covid-19
https://www.criticalpublishing.com/digital-connection-in-health-and-social-work
This creative project invites social workers to contribute photos under four themes:
Belonging and Connection
Health and Wellbeing
Home and Away
Loss and Change
Project Information
Dr Denise Turner : Principal Investigator: Email D.Turner@chi.ac.uk
Dr Katie Walsh: Lead Researcher: Email K.Walsh@sussex.ac.uk
In Collaboration with West Sussex County Council