The vital work of Rowcroft’s social workers
Many people don’t realise that Rowcroft has a team of dedicated social workers. Yet, they play a crucial role in supporting patients and their loved ones – both in our Inpatient Unit and out in the community across South Devon – helping them to navigate some of life’s most difficult moments.
As we mark Social Work Week, we want to shine a light on the incredible work of our social workers. Here, Rowcroft Social Worker Nicola Monks shares a fascinating insight into her role and highlights how our social workers make a profound impact every day.
The role of a Rowcroft social worker
“It’s a broad role with a lot of different components, but at the centre of all of it for me is the person with the illness and the people that are most important to them,” says Nicola. “Each person is unique and their people around them are just as unique. The biggest part of my role is open and supportive communication with our patients and their loved ones. Everything else follows on from there.
“As social workers we can give practical, financial and emotional advice and support. We can help people to talk about their illness – their feelings, worries and concerns – and help them have the difficult conversations with children and other family members. We can explain their rights and help them get the assistance they may need and ensure their choices are respected wherever possible.”
Helping people find their ‘new normal’
“I would like to think that our support gives people the space and time to find a way to just be themselves throughout either their own or their loved one’s illness. To be able to live their lives how they want to and to try and maintain their normality in a very ‘un-normal’ situation or help them find their new normal.”
Being led by those we care for
“One thing I love about my job is that things change all the time. I can start with a plan for the day, but as I am led by the patients and their families and what they may or may not need from me; things can change very quickly. I have to be responsive and think on my feet at times. It’s a great test for the knowledge and skills I have gained over my years in social work (it’s frightening to think how many!) and I am still learning all the time. It’s constantly moving.”
A few examples of support
“In my role, I could be assisting someone with putting their affairs in order, or co-ordinating a complex discharge from our Inpatient Unit, or assessing somebody’s ability to make their own decisions and supporting them with this. I could be helping someone to look at their benefit entitlements, or supporting a family to have difficult conversations with their loved one, or arranging a wedding at the hospice.
Making a difference every day
“There is something every day that highlights the impact of our work for me. Whether it’s creating a feeling of safety and trust for a person and family after a difficult time and you can see them start to relax and smile again; or being able to sit with a bereaved person and go through their post with them if this is something their loved one used to do and seeing them gain confidence in their new found ‘job’ to the point where they no longer need you; helping to open lines of communication between family members and helping to resolve difficulties; working with partner agencies to reunite long-lost relatives; helping a family to make something together to last as a memory whether it’s a piece of craft or a special celebration with plenty of photos.
“There is something every day. It’s not just the big things like weddings or reuniting long lost relatives, it’s the smaller things too – such as playing a special piece of music that someone always loved and knowing how much it means to their loved ones, or organising for their pets to come and spend time with them.”
An honour
“I love hearing about people’s stories and experiences, seeing the photos, getting to know them as a person, not just as a patient. Everybody has their own story and for someone to allow me into their world for this chapter of their life when time is more measured and precious is an enormous privilege.”
Challenges
“One challenge is that there never seems to be enough time in the day! Funding is also a huge challenge, both for us as a hospice (and I am forever grateful to all those who support us) and when working with Torbay and Devon authorities to arrange care services and funding. Resources are limited and stretched in adult social care; it’s not always easy to get the right care for a person at the right time and that’s something we all struggle with.”
Proud to be part of the Rowcroft team
“I am so proud to say I work for Rowcroft and I’m so proud of the work the whole team does here. It’s such a positive and inspiring place to be and my work friends are so much more than just colleagues. I think I am one of the few people out there who looks forward to coming back to work after a holiday!”