Budding social worker strives to ease burden on the vulnerable

Amber Dicks was motivated to pursue social work by the “inequalities we face as a country” and seeing the importance of the work done by social workers while doing voluntary work in Edenvale and Bedfordview.

“I saw there was a need for social workers because of the inequalities we face as a country. I feel the more social workers we have, the less the burden will be on the disadvantaged,” she said.

The fourth-year University of the Witwatersrand social work student is nearing the completion of her practical training at the Colin House Child and Youth Care Centre (CYCC) at the Benoni Child Welfare.

As part of her final-year studies, she has to complete a community project and group work intervention, among others, to finish her course so that she can graduate.

As part of her project she conducted workshops focusing on life skills development where she touched on topics including bullying, sex education and social and emotional skills to empower the children of the CYCC.

She also successfully ran a fundraiser where Pick ‘n Pay donated food items to the CYCC, while she rallied the people in her community to contribute items like clothing, toys and games they no longer needed.

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Social warriors

Dicks stressed the importance of social workers, or social warriors as she calls them, saying help relieve people’s suffering, fight for social justice and improve lives and communities.

“We play a big role in advocating for the rights of most disadvantaged groups. We get them access to things like social grants and other essential services.

“We also try to lessen the inequalities by bridging the gap between people and service delivery. I think what’s important is that because of the socio-economic inequalities, many people don’t have access to mental healthcare services or counselling they may require. Being a part of an NGO this year helped me understand why these organisations exist.”

When she started her journey in February, she had no idea what she getting herself into. But after several projects, including a Mandela Day initiative at Emandleni informal settlement, she began to understand the importance of her work.

Her time at the NPO, she said, helped her understand the important role played by NGOs in advocating for the rights of the vulnerable.

Most importantly, though, making a difference in people’s minds and hearts and contributing to their well-being was more fulfilling for Dicks.

“Coming from a background with no child protection initiatives, I came here quite blindly. But I’ve really enjoyed my time here. The experience I’ve gained from my supervisors, social workers and house mothers has opened my understanding about the need of social workers in child workers in child protection,” she said.

The director of the Benoni Child Welfare, Vanessa Carelse, was impressed by Dicks’ passion, hard work and commitment.

“Amber has done a phenomenal job. She’s going to be a successful social worker. She’s highly motivated and passionate about what she does. That’s what we need in social work.”

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