ENTRY ONE

Hi my name is Gaynor and I am a 2nd year social work student on placement with Activity Agreement, (AA) Wakefield. This placement is for 3 months and is part of my training. I am a mature student returning to study after raising a family. Bus driver, teacher’s assistant, care work with older people with learning difficulties, bar work are just some of the jobs I have had over the years. I can empathise with you young adults attending AA because I too had to brush up on my Maths and English before being accepted to University. I know how difficult returning to study in order to gain experience or knowledge to improve my life chances is very difficult and many days my confidence and dedication is sorely tried. However, I contend myself that anything worthwhile is never easy. And sometimes the hardest struggle is the most rewarding.
I have worked with Activity Agreement for three weeks now. Looking back I cannot believe how fast the time has gone by. I have been shadowing different key workers to learn what they do. They have all been very generous and patient in sharing their knowledge and experience with me, I am very grateful. However, there is a lot to learn and I know that it is going to be a challenging placement which will stretch and test me.
Watching the professionalism of the keyworkers with young people has given me insight into the work and outcomes of what Activity Agreement is all about I have not been there when young people have started with Activity Agreement but I have been there when they have exited. To see the young person and the pride they express at their achievements is amazing.
One thing that I have learnt is that young people are diverse; they have all got different ideas, plans and aspirations and all have a different level of ability to get them there. I am not a judgemental person, working ant-discriminatory towards people that I work with. I have total respect for every individual inclusive of class, gender, culture, religion, sexuality and disability. I am here to learn to be a key worker which will help me practice and improve my communication and people skills. In turn this will help with my confidence, my ability to relate social work theory to practice and improve the skills and knowledge I already have. I am excited about working with both young people and the staff at AA. I hope my presence is an inspiration to the young people I will be working with. That they will understand that even if you have left school without any qualifications, it doesn’t matter. Because AA is here to help them rectify that. It’s never too late, just look at me.