SOCIAL
SERVICES
 THIS
IS MY LIFE
They are THE UNSUNG HEROES of an organisation
such as the APD. They constitute the shoulder to cry on,
the hand that reaches out, the arm that lifts and supports,
the voice that soothes and encourages; they are the special
breed of caring people known as SOCIAL WORKERS.
"An effective social worker is one who exudes warmth,
empathy and sincerity towards his/her clients," says
Manager of Social Work Services, Sandra Somnath…
When requested to compile an article for this site with
regard to the work the Social Work Department at APD renders,
I was at a loss for words, albeit temporarily. The reason
being that social work is so broad-based. However, I will
try my best to condense the mainstay of our work and invite
you to seek more information as time goes by.
"We look after them from the cradle to the grave."
We, at APD, service people with disabilities from the cradle
to the grave, within the Greater Johannesburg area (from
the Vaal Triangle to Midrand).
Social workers generally assist people to resolve their
personal problems - physical or psychological - through
individual counselling or within a group environment.
An effective social worker is one who exudes warmth, empathy
and genuineness towards his/her clients. The goal is to
empower the individual to develop him/herself to a point
where future problems can be addressed positively.
Clients are encouraged to assess their strengths, develop
their weakness into strengths and improve their physical
and psychological well-being. Families are also guided to
strengthen their loved ones and lighten their load, for
example:
MH is a 14-year
old boy who has cerebral palsy. He cannot walk nor talk.
Prior to the intervention of the social worker he moved
from place to place by shuffling on his bottom. He did not
receive any physiotherapy and had only attended a special
school for approximately one year.
The social worker enlisted the help of the step-granny to
transport the child for an assessment and indirectly got
the previously disinterested mother to be involved in the
improvement of her son's life. The child was assessed by
a physiotherapist and fitted with an appropriate wheelchair.
MH now has freedom of movement, which we usually take for
granted, and will soon be in receipt of regular physiotherapy
and occupational therapy, to strengthen his body. All that
needs to be finalised, is his admission to an appropriate
school.
Where a client has no family, community members are encouraged
to lend a hand, as in the case of GM.
GM
is a 42-year old disabled and destitute male, without an
ID and, therefore, without a disability grant, to his name.
Accommodation for him was eventually secured at a care centre
for the aged situated on a farm.
Social workers often have to pull at the heartstrings of
people and pray for miracles - especially for accommodation
for destitute clients. GM had to be literally taken for
his TB treatment, which he neglected to continue, and thereafter
transported to the care centre.
Community members kindly donated clothing and food for GM
so he did not have to go into the centre empty-handed. Whilst
at the centre, GM will be assisted to apply for an ID and
then a disability grant.
Community generosity also included the donation of two
wheelchairs to two bedridden women residing in an informal
settlement, thereby allowing them the opportunity to move
outside of their shack, breathe the fresh air and bask in
the sunshine.
"Social workers often have to pull at the heartstrings
of people and pray for miracles."
The link between an individual and the community is essential
as no man is an island.
Another important aspect of social work is that of developing
communities. A needs assessment is completed together with
members of the community to determine the need of said community,
which could range from educational awareness programs to
job creation.
The social worker together with the community must then
create a project that is suitable to the need. In the case
of job creation, the project must be marketable and sustainable,
that is, the goal of the project is to generate income not
only for the participating clients, but also for the project
to endure.
PROJECTS
Current projects under the umbrella of APD are:
· A bakery
· Wheelchair repair & welding
· Food gardens
· Furniture production
· Catering
· Detergent production
· Sewing
· Knitting
The social worker's role is to implement the project, carefully
weighing the pros and cons; and dealing with issues as they
develop to ensure that a successful project is born to meet
the needs of the people with physical disabilities.
Fundraising and the implementation of skills training are
essential to the success of a project. Therein lies community
participation and involvement. Without the benevolence of
the community, development cannot progress.
OTHER ASPECTS
Other aspects of social work include:
Networking with providers of other resources
Forming partnerships to provide a holistic service (eg working
with a physiotherapist and an occupational therapist to
provide rehabilitative therapy to stroke victims/paraplegics),
Keeping abreast of new developments in the field of disability
and related issues, and
Creating awareness of services rendered in the community
to allow people with disabilities the opportunity to access
appropriate services.
Like I said in the beginning, social work is work that is
varied and diverse within the helping professions.In the
next few months we will attempt to bring you highlights
of the services we render at our various offices, from the
Vaal Triangle to Midrand. We graciously extend an invitation
to you to join us on our journeys in turning disabilities
into abilities.
…With your help, the APD will always be able to reach
out and render a professional service to those who can't
help themselves.
|
Click here
FullHouse Imaging