Inspired to give something back
As a child Greta moved from Lithuania to the UK. The support she was given helped her to integrate and inspired her to study social work
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Whether its by sharing information, providing the right support or just through social interaction. We live in a very diverse society, with individuals that come from different backgrounds and have a variety of needs.
Why social work?
I was inspired to study social work through personal experience when I moved to the UK when I was a child, supported by local services such as education and youth groups I was able to integrate well into my new environment. Having the right support around you as a child or an adult is crucial for development and overall well-being.
I was drawn to this degree because it offered to equip students with skills and knowledge alongside giving the opportunity to practice these in placements throughout the three years.
Social work is a challenging field to be in, therefore the highlight of my degree has been the immense support I have received from lecturers and practitioners in placements. Any struggles I faced, whether it was academically or practically there was always someone to help and guide me through this journey. I also enjoyed the opportunities that came with the degree, such as links with local and international charities for volunteering, ability to attend and participate in equality and diversity meetings.
Why Plymouth?
I love the outdoors and being by the sea is a real treat, on a sunny day Plymouth is a stunning place. There's so many things to do, go for walks on the moors, swim in the sea and enjoy the beautiful beaches, take a trip to Cornwall and explore more of the coastline. I like the rapidly expanding art and music scene in Plymouth, there's loads of great events throughout the year.
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A future full of possibility...
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The social work degree is generic and therefore opens many avenues and career paths, after the course I aim to work in local authority services to gather more experience and knowledge. However the long term goal is to get involved in some research and international aid work. I really enjoyed the law and legislation part of this degree, so it would be brilliant to produce some work to influence the development of future social policies.
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Volunteer and student blogger
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In my free time I try to volunteer in the community, the last two years I have been involved with a charity called Active for All which supports people managing disabilities and/or mental health to participate in sports. It has been amazing to be part of this service and see individuals build confidence and improve their health and well-being.
At university I am a student blogger, this is a great way to share my experience with people looking to study in Plymouth. It is also a fantastic platform to portray the real student life and be honest about my time at uni.
My advice for future students
I would encourage to always stay curious and open minded. This includes studies and things happening around uni and the city itself. Trying new things will lead to opportunities that you haven't thought about. It will inspire you to be more creative in your studies, stay ahead of the game with reading new research and getting involved in development projects. Stay loud, your opinion matters and the university gives you freedom to express that. Studying can be stressful, so don't forget to look after yourself with things that make you happy!
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Follow in Greta's footsteps
Want to make a rewarding and positive contribution to society?
Social workers support children and families through child protection procedures, fostering and adoption and youth justice to name but a few. They also support adults with issues including disability, drug and alcohol dependency, mental health, homelessness and safeguarding. You'll spend over 170 days on real-life placements with adults and children, so you’ll graduate ready to start your professional career.