Kevin

I have been involved in a lecturing capacity with Portsmouth University since the mid 80’s (on & off). When the University first thought of creating SWIG, they asked if I wanted to be involved.

My involvement with the students, outside of pure lecturing. It gives me an opportunity to use my other skills & knowledge in their training.

Every time we do something with students, the feedback is always positive. They say that getting the information ‘straight from the horse’s mouth’ as it were, gives them a better insight into the needs of users.

Name one thing all social workers should know?

Do not assume that one solution fits every need. Realise that the user is THE expert on their needs (yes, I know that’s two things, but they’re both equally important).

Being a member of SWIG has so many ‘add-on’ benefits. First, the user is putting something back into society – something that a lot of them would not otherwise have the opportunity to do. Secondly, they get an opportunity to put their experiences and needs across to the people who need to know. Also, it gives many of the users the chance to meet others, exchange views and generally extend their social circle. I would also hope that being involved with SWIG gives the teaching team an added insight into what they should be teaching Social Work students.

Jackie

I became a member through a service user group in Portsmouth. I like being involved in educating professionals by promoting service user involvement.

I think it is important to give creative understanding outside of the book, to give a different perspective. It's crucial that social workers regard service users as people, not just a number.

Since joining SWIG I have become more confident and relate well to students because it has made me look at things in a different way.

John

I joined SWIG to be with other people and to tell students about my experiences in mental health as a service user. I want to help other people to understand the problems facing people, young or old, who are under mental stress due to the present economic climate. My involvement with SWIG has been a great benefit for me, it’s a big learning curve and I have made friends with people and they have accepted me and shown courtesy and I have returned the politeness and courtesy to them.

My other interests are chiefly music, particularly singing. I have produced albums with a friend of mine who is a recording engineer. I do classical music, my favourite are show songs. I like it because for me personally it is therapeutic and I would recommend music or drama for anyone who is under mental stress disorder, in particular dementia patients.

I would describe myself as studious and quiet. I am always willing to help and have personal compassion. My compassion goes out to people who are less fortunate than myself. I am fortunate because I have experienced, in the past, the hardships, a cross to bear, and I’ve overcome the trauma of persecution. I’ve overcome it through being motivated, rooted and focused in whatever I am achieving. At the moment I am undertaking research work into mental illness.

Sally

I find SWIG interesting as people in my situation can talk to people who are going to do the job of social workers. I’ve had experience of bad social work practice, but I’ve also had experience of two really good social workers. It makes such a difference, they can do a wonderful job. I would like to teach students about my personal experience of mental health problems and alcohol addiction.

I like doing craft and I love being by the sea. I love walking by the sea. It’s so relaxing and you can forget about your problems.

Christina

I got involved with SWIG because Mum was at a carer's meeting and she met Geoff, a SWIG member who invited me and Mum to join.

I enjoy knowing that I am helping new social work students to learn about how to treat disabled people.

We Help them to have an insight into disabled lives. So they can see just exactly what it is like to live a disabled life, and how they need to react and work with disability. Name one thing all social workers should know? Capability. Just how not all disabled people are in-capable. They like to do things for themselves.

I really love knowing that I am helping new students to learn more about disability. I mean what could be better than hearing it from first hand? In English lessons at school, you don’t just get taught a story, you have to read the text book story also. In science lessons, it is not all spoken to you, you do practical science tests also. In swig, I feel like I am the practical exam for students to learn from. Seeing my life story and learning my desired treatment from it. Like learning which chemicals to mix to make something.

Grahame

I was invited to a meeting by Debbie. I enjoy the interesting and stimulating environment, and believe we provide a greater understanding of Social Work needs, and a more rounded approach to their work as social workers. They learn that everyone is different, everybody's circumstances are different, and listening and understanding are important.

Lucy

I wanted to get more experience in the background of social services and how social workers are trained. That’s why I first showed an interest in SWIG, I wanted to understand the system more than I do. My personal experience of social work has not always been great. When I was at school, I stayed in the sixth form but it was a struggle to get funding and the social services did not want me to stay on because of this funding. But we got there in the end.

It is important for me that social workers have understanding of one’s situation. I find a lot of them think they know, but they don’t. For example, if they suggest something for your house, it may not work for you. Or in residential care, for example, you don’t often get much say in what goes on.

I like to socialise, usually I go bowling with friends. I also like listening to music and reading.

Andrew

My name is Andrew Chappell, I am 41 years of age. I was introduced to Swig by its current Chairperson Kevin Holmes.

My specialist Skills are: GNV and NVQ in Management. I have manged my own care team for 15 years through Direct Payments ILF (Independent Living Funding) and personalisation budgets.

For 15 years I have been working as a voluntary sector in the field of disability. I am currently Vice Chairman of Enable Ability based in Portsmouth, they are an organisation who are in the forefront of disability issues. Within the organisation I also have an Advocacy Role and I am also a disability Awareness Training Advisor for the organisation.

My main interests in SWIG are:

• Training
• Interviewing
• Drama
• Representing the group at meetings and conferences