Hello! I am Oluwakemisola (which translates to God’s taking care of me in wealth). Cute right? Just like I thought too! I am currently on a master's programme in Social Work at Liverpool Hope University.
I fell in love with communicating and helping people at a very tender age and this has driven my passion into the community services. Growing up I have participated in a lot of activities with different NGOs (non-governmental organisations) helping vulnerable adult and young people feel inclusive and heard in the community. My passion for social work then stems from my deep-rooted empathy and desire to create positive change. Seeing the impact of community support firsthand has reinforced my belief in the importance of inclusivity and mental wellbeing.
After my first degree I then thought why not focus more on people, community, mental health and support for different individual. And boom! I found myself in Liverpool studying social work. Pursuing a master's degree in Social Work at Liverpool Hope University has been both enlightening and challenging. Each module has provided me with deeper insights into safeguarding, mental health, and social justice, equipping me with the necessary skills to advocate for vulnerable individuals.
After my first semester in school, it was time for my field placement and I was posted to the Liverpool based organisation PSS (Person Shaped Support) and during my interview, I was introduced to the different services one of which was the PSS Wellbeing Centres and yes, I fell in love with it immediately. The PSS Wellbeing service is welcoming, hospitable, nearby and overall, fun-filled with a lot of group activities that makes all the people who use the service come together, bond freely without fear of judgement and feel fully supported and included in the community. Beyond my love for the PSS Wellbeing Centres, my placement at PSS has shown me to real-life social work scenarios, where I engage with individuals from diverse backgrounds. I’ve had the opportunity to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings, learning how to assess needs and provide tailored support.
So far, the things I have enjoyed would be all the numerous activity such as creativity classes, singing / Strumbrellas classes, the Overcoming Anxiety and Depression courses, The Shared Reading Group classes, Relaxation and Meditation and finally the Sing! Sing! Sing! group. Exciting right? Exactly my point. The PSS Wellbeing Centre has being such a blessing to the community, giving opportunities to people and lifting their spirit in different ways. Through my involvement in various group activities, I have developed key skills such as active listening, effective communication, group facilitation, and crisis intervention. These experiences have strengthened my ability to work collaboratively with people who use the service and colleagues.
Another rewarding aspect of the PSS Wellbeing Centre is seeing how it fosters a sense of belonging. Many individuals who initially felt isolated have found friendships, regained confidence, and discovered new coping mechanisms through our programs.
My ultimate goal is to become an Approved Mental Health Professional (AMHP) and contribute meaningfully to mental health services. This placement is building me gradually for a solid foundation, and I look forward to gaining further experience in community-based social work.
In the future I hope that the PSS Wellbeing Centre receives more fundings/ Sponsor and keep up with the good works just as they have always done.
Cheers!
Oluwakemisola