Marking World Social Work Day

South Shields Town Hall will be bathed in a purple light to highlight World Social Work Day.

The Council is supporting the awareness day this Tuesday (16 March), which is run by the British Association of Social Workers, to highlight the efforts of social workers across the globe.

Lead Member for Independence and Wellbeing, Councillor Anne Hetherington, said: "Many social work staff have been at the front line helping some of those hardest hit by Covid-19.

"We have received a lot of feedback from people over the past year who have been supported by our social workers in these most challenging of times. It is, therefore, only fitting that we show our gratitude to our staff for their ongoing efforts by lighting up our beautiful town hall."

She added: "Social workers do an incredible job, helping some of our most vulnerable adults, children and young people in the Borough and this day allows us to reflect on and promote the important role they play."

Councillor Moira Smith, Lead Member for Children, Young People and Families, added: "We have had a great deal of positive feedback from families we have been able to help throughout the past year in these most challenging of times.

"It has been particularly pleasing to see how flexibly and innovatively social workers have responded to be able to continue to offer those most in need of support throughout the pandemic."

A video, which features positive feedback from residents who have been helped by social workers, has been produced. The video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Nl1hn8QzqcI