[United Kingdom] Port in the Storm: Poverty Aware Social Work in the Pandemic

Port in the storm: a person, group or place where one can find comfort, refuge or help during particularly difficult or trying times.

The coronavirus crisis has led to increased poverty, but not everyone has been affected in the same way. Social workers have decades of experience in "poverty aware" practices that could help alleviate the pain of this growing phenomenon, but with so many measures in place and the high risk of transmitting the virus, how can they continue?

Supporting individuals and families through the crisis

The limitations on face-to-face interactions mean that social workers can no longer visit people in their homes to build relationships or assess family circumstances. But this doesn't mean that they have stopped listening.

Since March, social workers have been focusing on the material things the people need, and on asking the hard questions about money, food and shelter in shame-reducing ways. They're been helping to provide these families with their needs with food parcels, books, toys, etc. By doing so, they are contributing not only to material needs, but also to social and emotional needs — they are providing the human connection and care that shifts the ground towards recognising and supporting people's struggles to live fulfilling lives.

Relationships during a time of social distancing

While social distancing can be frustrating, or make some feel like they're "doing social work with one hand tied behind our back", it doesn't have to be that way. There are many creative alternatives for interacting and engaging with individuals and families, such as going for socially distant walks or meeting in local cafes.

It's important to recognise the commonalities we share against this crisis. For example, we can promote solidarity by sharing our strategies for relieving boredom.

Bearing witness

We need to recognise the impact of the coronavirus crisis and how it intersects with other inequalities. Together with colleagues and agencies, we need to make these issues more widely known and challenge the current narrative when it comes to poverty.

Conclusion

Despite the negative impacts this pandemic has had on social work, there is a silver lining; this is a chance for social workers to practice poverty-awareness and be a port in the storm for vulnerable people.