World Social Work Day

Today is World Social Work Day. It is the key day in the year that social workers worldwide stand together to advance their common message globally. This year, the 2020 World Social Day highlights ‘Promoting the Importance of Human Relationships’. This theme was established to build international focus on the interdependence of people and the need for change in policies and social service delivery. 

 

To celebrate World Social Work Day we would like to introduce you to our Social Worker, Michele.

 

Name:

Michele Mountjoy

 

Role at Hospice:

Social Worker

 

How long have you been at Hospice?

I joined Hospice as a Social Worker in May, having previously spent a year here as a student 10 years earlier, and feel that I have come full circle. It’s great to be back.

 

Tell us a bit about how you got to where you are today…

I moved to the Isle of Man from England 32 years ago.  I worked in Barclays Private Banking for many years both in England and when I first relocated to the Island.  After having children, I began working in the Island’s schools as a classroom assistant 20 years ago, and developed an interest in Social Work after working with young people with disabilities in the school environment. 

I was employed by the Department of Health & Social Care in 2006, and trained to be a Social Worker in my 40s. I am also an Approved Social Worker, under the IOM Mental Health Act, and have spent many years co-ordinating Mental Health Act Assessments and acting as Out of Hours Social Worker for Adults.

I have been lucky enough to work across a varied spectrum of Social Work areas, including Adults Disabilities Team, Community Mental Health Service for Adults, and as Team Manager of the Adult Protection Team prior to my appointment at Hospice. 

 

What does your role at Hospice involve?

I’m committed to patient, family and carer welfare and am an advocate for the patient -primarily to ensure that their wishes and views for their care at the end of their life is heard, and to promote choice re preferred place of care and care delivery.  I work collaboratively with the wider Hospice Multi-Disciplinary Team and external partners to achieve this.

 

Finally, what motivates you to do your role?

I came into social work to work with other members of our community who may have some factors which prevent them from advocating for themselves, and who may experience, at some level a ‘freedom gap’. That passion has not left, and I’m extremely honoured to work with Hospice patients, and it’s a privilege to be working as a social worker at Hospice.