Self-Care Summer: The Social Work Tide

by Jade Lloyd

When starting out your drives are high and enthusiasm leads the way,

The tender topics our clients discuss happen day to day,

The work you do becomes the norm and you take all in its stride,

But I was told to watch this current so I’m not taken by its tide,  

You have a duty to safeguard and your profession is to care,

To achieve great outcomes with holistic thinking so goals are those which are fair,

To do a great job and achieve great things does not mean to deprive yourself,

So do your job and think of others but also think of your own health,  

Take time out - you have a life too,

Enjoy and just be you,

Social work pressures are tough enough and can become heavy over time,

So I believe that it is best to always keep this in mind... you cannot pour from an empty cup,

So every now and then fill yourself.. with positivity in whatever way you may do,

As in the end there is nothing wrong with looking after you.

Jade Lloyd is a final year social work BA (Hons.) student in the United Kingdom, graduating September 2018. Jade currently works in the fostering field and strives for proactive initiatives that raise awareness of social work matters.