Social Work Spotlight

In this episode I speak with Lamiya, a social work practitioner, researcher, and social entrepreneur from Azerbaijan with over a decade of experience in migration, social inclusion, child welfare, and gender-based violence, having worked with international organisations including the UN system, UNHCR, ICMPD, and the Council of Europe, and actively advocates for evidence-based, community-centred social services.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:
International Centre for Migration Policy Development - https://www.icmpd.org/

SiM (Sosial İş Məktəbi (Lamiya’s training college) - https://sosialishmektebi.com/

Social Dialogue Magazine - https://www.iassw-aiets.org/2024/12/25/social-dialogue-magazine/

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Yem1BndD9X44w97e8BK8WEOQIAQbK148-fLVT1s8ypk/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Nayanathara, a social worker from Sri Lanka and the founder of The Island of Stories, a volunteer organisation that supports children and women in education, while also working as a lecturer in Youth Studies at the Open University of Sri Lanka.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:
Nayanathara’s NGO Island of Stories Instagram account - @islandstorieslk

Nayanathara’s Research Gate page - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/K-N-N-Jayathilaka

Social Work Diaries on YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@socialworkdiaries

Association of Sri Lankan Social Workers - https://slapsw.lk/

Community Solutions USA - https://community.solutions/

United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) - https://www.unfpa.org/

IREX - https://www.irex.org/

Asia Safe Abortion Partnership - https://asap-asia.org/

Asia-Pacfic Forum on Sustainable Development - https://www.unescap.org/events/apfsd13

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1LIjIeKdjUpzfeNB-2O_vT4O6_TAtGvrhJLM7Si0QaIs/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode I speak with Marta, who beyond being someone who is deeply passionate about people, considers herself a nonconformist; someone who strives every day to make a difference. Marta holds a degree in Social Work and a Master’s in Social Work, with a focus on Chronic Kidney Disease and its impact on patients and their families. Marta is also a couple and family therapist and the mother of four daughters.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:
Marta’s Diaverum profile - https://www.diaverum.pt/en/diaverum-portugal/diaverum-in-portugal/management-team/marta-olim/

Marta’s publications - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Marta-Olim

Marta’s LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/marta-freitas-olim-52521ab6/

Testimonials from Diaverum’s project for caregivers (‘We, Families’) - https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wv1_B7AKp1EHcpt7vIwVh90BEi9IbebH/view?usp=sharing

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/18lxc6Tt-UX1MpEcWZBM4QSMxVTWhAixvEmck1BCI2dg/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.

In this episode I speak with Jelena, a Social Welfare and Criminalistics Expert from Bosnia and Herzegovina with over 13 years of experience in the public sector, international organisations, and civil society. Her work focuses on research, advancing social policy, protecting the rights of vulnerable groups, evaluating programs, and supporting the European integration process. Jelena has collaborated with UNICEF, the EU, and various government institutions and is the author and co-author of more than 39 scientific and professional publications in social work, criminalistics, and human rights. Currently, she works as an independent freelance consultant dedicated to leading transformative social change by connecting diverse sectors and driving innovative, evidence-based solutions for a fairer and more equitable society.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:
Jelena’s LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/jelena-kupresanin/

Jelena’s scientific contributions on Research Gate - https://www.researchgate.net/scientific-contributions/Jelena-Kupresanin-2089961619

Jelena’s article titled “Social Work in Educational System of the Balkans - Is Social Worker Needed in Schools?“ - https://econpapers.repec.org/article/apaijhass/2018_3ap_3a245-252.htm

UNICEF’s work in Bosnia and Herzegovina - https://www.unicef.org/bih/en

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/17tBnGNmgsGqWq8Szjfm3A3ETk9XkUUzrWCDFBU4aXhg/edit?usp=sharing

In this episode I speak with Sam, a forensic mental health social worker based in a specialist community mental health team in South London, tailored to work with forensic mental health patients, who have additional needs in the context of intellectual disability and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. Prior to this, he was based with an outreach focused mental health team working with people rough sleeping.

Links to resources mentioned in this week’s episode:
News article about the Homeless Outreach Team, featuring Fran Busby - https://lhf.org.uk/press-release-south-london-and-maudsley-homeless-outreach-team-a-winner-in-london-homelessness-awards-2023/

Forensic Intellectual and Neurodevelopmental Disabilities (FIND) community team - https://www.autism.org.uk/autism-services-directory/f/find-community-team

Witches film by Elizabeth Sankey (trailer) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qwx5350Bj8

Notes on the Mind podcast episode with Rai Waddingham - https://creators.spotify.com/pod/profile/notesonthemind/episodes/Episode-Two---Rai-e13is75/a-a60ohoh

This episode's transcript can be viewed here: 
https://docs.google.com/document/d/12GeL7BX6Bx9QH3j90QEdRXDr_c3j6fLa3MMByhmhWdA/edit?usp=sharing

Thanks to Kevin Macleod of incompetech.com for our theme music.