We, Dr Amanda Taylor-Beswick (@amltaylor66) and Dr Laurel Hitchcock (@laurelhitchcock), co-founders of Social Work Virtual Pal (@SWVirtualPal #SWVirtualPal), are delighted to introduce our new #SWVirtualPal co-hosts: Hannah Chambers, who is studying social work at the University at Buffalo School of Social Work, and Geoffery Kennedy, who is studying social work at the School of Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast. Hannah and Geoffery are aiming to reach out to as many social work students as possible as part of our contribution to connecting the profession; our efforts to support the development of strong and purposive professional relationships across the globe.
Global Definition of the Social Work Profession
“Social work is a practice-based profession and an academic discipline that promotes social change and development, social cohesion, and the empowerment and liberation of people. Principles of social justice, human rights, collective responsibility and respect for diversities are central to social work. Underpinned by theories of social work, social sciences, humanities and indigenous knowledge, social work engages people and structures to address life challenges and enhance wellbeing. The above definition may be amplified at national and/or regional levels” (IFSW)
They are keen to connect with established student groups working to support learning and professional development; they are keen to unite to support student connections as part of the global educational requirements that outline how:
Social Work in Context education must include: “a critical understanding of how socio-structural inadequacies, discrimination, oppression, and social, political, environmental and economic injustices impact human development at all levels” that make clear how “the global must be considered“.
A little bit about Hannah and Geoffrey:
BIO: Hannah Chambers is a co-organizer and host of SWVirtualPal’s Twitter account. She is a master’s student at the University at Buffalo’s School of Social Work. Hannah is interning with iHeartTech, where she is working on several projects that involve technology use in social work. The opportunity to support the work of SWVirtualPal, a global community of social workers, was appealing, especially as someone new to the field. Hannah explains how she is enjoying seeing what social workers in other parts of the world are working on, and she has been fortunate to connect with Geoffrey, her new SWVirtualPal, who is in Belfast, Northern Ireland! Hannah is looking forward to making and facilitating many more connections!
BIO: Geoffrey Kennedy, is a co-organiser and host of SWVirtualPal’s Twitter account, and is studying at the School of Social Work in Queen’s University, Belfast. He has a particular interest in working with people with disabilities and is keen to develop his knowledge in this area and building a career in social work. Geoffrey, a former Chartered Surveyor, became interested in changing his career through his involvement with a charity aimed at working with people with disabilities to improve life chances, rights and opportunities. He was delighted with the opportunity to become involved with #SWVirtualPal and is looking forward to supporting global connections and for himself to learn from many new future pals. Geoffrey already talks about his learning from his first ever virtual pal, Hannah, a new friend, sharing similar interests from across the globe!
Hannah and Geoffery ask that if you are social work student anywhere in the world who is interested in finding a social work virtual pal that you reach out via Twitter. They are happy to support you to think about finding a social work pal and to share the benefits of connecting beyond your immediate geographic area. They too plan to reach out via the #SWVirtualPal Twitter feed about the events they are thinking about hosting. They want to ask the global social work student population what they can do, with and the through #SWVirtualPal community, to support students to connect together across the globe.
We are very excited about their ideas and energies and are humbled that they have offered to work with us to develop the work of #SWVirtualPal.
Please join us in welcoming Hannah and Geoffrey to the Team, and for those of you new to, or thinking of joining us @SWVirtualPal, you can read about where the virtual pal idea came from and why we believe it to fit so well with the internationalisation of social work goals: #SWvirtualpal: Hashtagging for Connection – Social Work Virtual Pal
Laurel and Amanda