Student Placement- Grace’s success story

Elim is able to offer a small number of placements to Social Work Students as part of their degree course each year. Students are placed at our Supported Housing Schemes across Bristol, South Gloucestershire and Gloucestershire. Our placements give student social workers first-hand experience of working with vulnerable people, bridging the gap between social care theory and practice. Our placements offer a challenging, varied and interesting introduction to housing support.

Student Grace is currently undertaking a placement at our Deakin House support scheme based in Central Gloucester. Deakin House offers accommodation to men and women recovering from substance abuse. Below, Grace reflects on her time with Elim so far;

What have you enjoyed about your placement so far?
I have enjoyed the opportunities that working at Gloucester Projects has given me in gaining key social work skills including communicating with people effectively. The lively work environment has given me a lot of opportunity to be involved. There is always something happening and everyone in the team is always happy to take me along or involve me in what they are doing. Also, I have enjoyed taking initiative and being given the opportunity to organise activities.

What is the most important thing you’ve learnt during your time at Deakin House?
One of the most important things that I have learnt is developing my style and my use of self. This includes developing ways of working that allow you to communicate effectively, which has built my confidence.

How do you balance work and studies?
Personally, I like being overly organised and being ahead of the game when it comes to completing University assignments, this allows me to feel relaxed and not have pressure hanging over me to get work completed. So, when I have time, I use it wisely to allow myself the opportunity to not feel under pressure. I am also able to organise time throughout the week, by having discussions with my team at Elim and my manager, to allocate myself set time to do the necessary work.
Balancing work and studies can be challenging; however, it is a good opportunity to practice organisation and the prioritisation of the work that is most important.

What are your future career aspirations?
My future career aspirations include either to work as an Approved Mental Health Practitioner (AMHP) or as a social worker who specialises in working with adults with developmental disabilities. My time so far at Elim has given me the opportunity to work with people and develop skill that would be necessary in both lines of work.

We understand that many students have constraints and pressures from outside their placement. To help, we offer a flexible approach that enables students to complete their placement in a way which suits them best, with flexible placement hours and paid travel expenses.

If you are currently undertaking a social work degree, at undergraduate or masters level and are interested in carrying out a placement at Elim, please contact your University and ask them to make contact with us. We currently work with The University of Bristol and The University of Gloucestershire.

We have thoroughly enjoyed having Grace on placement with us and we wish her all the best in her future career!