"I need to see my social worker..."

As part of my recovery from my appendectomy it was necessary to take myself out to have a meal and watch a game of rugby on television that was being played at the stadium across the road from where I live. 


Due to the large number of cars carrying fans into the suburb, there is money to be made by "guarding" cars while the drivers are in the stadium. This is often done by homeless or unemployed people who have managed to get hold of a reflective bib and look like "official" security guards and for a small fee you car should be untouched by the time you return from the game. I had been in the restaurant for about 30 minutes and was making my way through a glass of good red wine and a beef baguette when two guards, reflective bibs and bags in tow, decided it was time for a "tea break". The tea consisted of 2 local beers each and before they went back into the cold autumn evening I overheard something along these lines....

"I have to go and see my social worker this week. She is nice! I know that she can help me!"


So despite the fact that social workers may have a bad reputation in some quarters, there are still clients and service users who have faith in the assistance that they may be able to access through a social worker.