19th March 2024
Sanctuary Supported Living
Project Worker Amelia supports social work student Shaun at Stanley Grove
To mark World Social Work Day, Sanctuary Supported Living celebrates the achievements of social work students from the University of Salford, who have completed placements at Stanley Grove, a supported housing service for people who have been sleeping rough in Manchester.
Stanley Grove provides accommodation and support for adults, including couples, and people with dogs, who have experienced homelessness and who have complex support needs. Staff are on-site seven days a week to help clients access health, education and employment services. With the right support, clients are able to develop their life skills and confidence, and plan for the future, when they can move into more longer-term accommodation and live more independently.
The team at Stanley Grove has been providing placements for social work students from the University of Salford since 2019, with Project Worker Amelia Cooper being fully-qualified to supervise all the students throughout their placements, thanks to the specialist training she received through the university.
The students who have taken part have gained valuable experience of working with people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, as well as learning from the Stanley Grove team’s trauma-informed and person-centred approach.
Current social work student, Shaun Robert, said: “I’d like to say a big thank you to everyone I’ve worked with at Stanley Grove - it’s been really rewarding and enjoyable. The team has been very generous in sharing their time, knowledge and experience with me, and I’ve enjoyed working together to support clients to achieve their goals.”
"I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone I’ve worked with at Stanley Grove - it’s been really rewarding and enjoyable."
John Cluskey, the Local Service Manager for Stanley Grove, added: “We are delighted to be able to offer these high-quality social work placements, and to have welcomed so many students from the University of Salford to be part of our team over the past few years.
“They always bring fresh perspectives and enthusiasm, and we’re very proud to play our part in supporting the next generation of social workers. Placements like these help them to gain essential on-the-job experience, as well as developing the skills, knowledge and confidence they’ll need for their future social working careers.”
World Social Work Day is observed every year on the third Tuesday in March, to recognise the hard work and dedication of social workers around the world. This year’s theme is ‘Buen Vivir: Shared Future for Transformative Change’, encouraging social workers to adopt innovative, community-led approaches.
For more information about Sanctuary Supported Living’s services for people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, see our latest news or find a service near you.
