

My interest in social work has been shaped by my personal experience of supporting a family member with additional needs. My older brother has Down syndrome, autism, and ADHD, and growing up alongside him gave me valuable insight into the challenges and support needs that individuals and their families can experience. I have accompanied my parents to meetings with social workers and other professionals. This has helped me develop an understanding of the role social services play in supporting vulnerable individuals. These experiences inspired me to pursue a career as a Social Work Assistant, as I am passionate about advocating for people who may struggle to have their voices heard and helping them access the support they need. Through both my personal experiences and volunteer work, I have gained an appreciation of the difficulties faced by individuals living with additional needs and the importance of providing compassionate, person-centred support.
I recently began volunteering at Camphill, where I support residents with additional needs in a range of arts and crafts activities. I help residents learn new creative techniques and produce different forms of artwork by preparing materials, assisting with projects, and providing guidance throughout activities such as painting, pottery, and textiles. Through this role, I encourage confidence, self-expression, and active participation while promoting a positive and inclusive creative environment. As someone with a strong passion for art, I enjoy helping residents explore their creativity and develop new artistic skills.
I gained experience by providing friendly customer service and helping customers by answering questions about products. I handled cash register transactions accurately as well as restocking and rotating items on the shop floor and in storage areas to keep shelves organised and well stocked. I sorted and organised donated items to support the charity shop’s fundraising efforts. I also spoke with customers about ways they could donate or volunteer, helping to support the charity and its work.