The annual social worker’s summer debate camp took place from 21st to 23rd of August
The summer discussion camp was held in Kurzeme, in the guesthouse “Deķšņi” in the parish Pope which is located near Venspils. Like every other year this year was no exception for lively debates held by Association of social workers. These discussions involved debates about social work, the demand for social services provided and the provision of high-quality services.
Until now in the context of social work little has been studied and talked about the roma people. This time, in the practical experience of social work for the target group (the roma are also positioned as gypsies) was shared by the Chairperson of the Board of the Latvian Social Workers Association and at the same time chief of the Ventspils City Social Service Una Lapskalna. The dilemma of “How to integrate roma into Latvia?” was raised and “How romos integrates Latvia”. Intensive group work and discussions have been conducted, resulting in a crystallizing of cooperation at an inter-institutional level. Participants of the camp shared the wisdom: national contact points should be sought, the culture of the roma people needs to be more explored, we as society need to adopt different thinking as well as have bigger acceptance of roma way of thinking and cultural differences. In this aspect it is important to work with Latvian residents and society as a whole. The example of good practice is Malda Avramenko, a roma mediator from Ventspils, which represents the interests of the roma people and cooperates at an inter-institutional level.
In the field of theoretical and practical knowledge Martiņš Moors, author of a number of scientific articles, the Vice-President of the Association for Social Workers and the Chair of the Social Administration of the Welfare Department of the Riga city Council spoke about the current topic – social functioning. In practical work, the groups produced a portrait of a typical client (a person with mental disabilities; a health-care client; a young person after institution) of social disabilities and abilities/capabilities according to the structure given. In the course of work, the factors that disrupt social functioning were identified, the strengths and opportunities were identified as a key to identify the person’s internal resources and attract external resources. Doors to a high-quality social service, in line with the needs of individuals.
The example of good practice was shared by Sindija Eldmane, member of Social Worker’s Society and social worker of the Society “Latvian Movement for Independent Life”. Everyday work of social worker involves people with mental disabilities, their employment, problems, and solutions.
Social worker uses behavioral cognitive approaches, mood marking/display (form), cognitive behavioral therapy techniques (thought protocols, recognition of client’s emotions), arts therapy methods (draw without restrictions or specific task), cognitive tasks (sudoku and crossword), journal writing (in a free format, with specific questions). The members of this social group make candles, invest in the development of apartments for new groups. There was also a very positive life story about Grigorijs.
Solvita Anna Gernere-Alaine, a member of the association, a social worker of the Jūrmala Children’s House has shared the work experience – on Children’s House today, on identity, on resources and on cornerstones. This highlighted the problem of providing the service, the organization culture in the situation of a lack of specialists, support for parents, leading to increased behavioral disorder. The subject generated lively discussions of participants in the camp.
Participants in the camp have agreed on the work to be done and on the annual meeting 2020, which was scheduled to be held in March but has been moved to October – to the autumn conference 2020, which is scheduled to be held in presence or remotely. The decision will be taken at the meeting of the Governing Board, examining the national restrictions on Covid-19, highlighting the topics that will be discussed at the conference.
Dates for summer camp 2021 were set for August 20-22, 2021.
The traditions of social workers’ society remain. There was an entertaining part – participants in the camp enjoyed a retro-style train on the streets of Ventspils city. Participants in the camp used the opportunity to listen to the history of Ventspils city in an audio recording, visited the Ventspils brewery, tasted beer and learned the process of brewing beer, took a chance to have a relaxing swim in the river in the mornings, exercise with a paddle board, dance and get warm in the bath. Inta Zvirgzdina wrote the hymn for the Association of Social Workers.
Three days of positive emotions has lifted spirits of camp participants.
Prepared by Evija Anča
Meeting of the Latvian Social Workers Association with the Ministry of Welfare on changes in the Code of Ethics 05.02.2020. Letter from The Lithuanian Association of Social Workers
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