From the diary of a social worker: Here’s my hand | Rhewal

Carol Ankiewicz

Carol Ankiewicz (Photo: Provided)

As a social worker, you have the privilege of experiencing first-hand how people can turn their lives around and build a better future for themselves. You are also involved in the miracle of community power.

Recently, I had the privilege of truly experiencing the power of a community that stands together.

Tannie Sarie is an 80-year-old lady who lives in a small town. She has no connection with her family and lives in solitude in her little house, without power or water. We had the privilege of crossing paths with her and our volunteers in the community began to support her. We were not able to settle her huge debt to the municipality, but we were able to visit her and do activities with her that enrich her quality of life.

At the beginning, aunt Sarie was constantly negative due to the pressure of her circumstances; she struggled to see the hope. If you talk to auntie Sarie today, gratitude is the first thing she talks about. She realized again that she also has a responsibility in her community and gives something small from her garden, such as fruit, or her advice to one of our volunteers who visit her every week.

Community power has ensured that auntie Sarie belongs again, that she believes in a goal again and knows that even in her old age she still adds value to her community.

In a study conducted by Helpende Hand in 2022, it was found that at least 43% of the 435 elderly who participated in the study experienced a feeling of loneliness. Also, 20% sometimes lack support, 40% experience depression and 36% experience feelings of anxiety.

That’s why I invite you: Go drink that cup of coffee at the uncle’s or aunt’s; visit the home for the elderly and put cream on their hands, make eye contact and go for a walk with them in the garden. Helpende Hand has a Seniors-in-action program that you can become a part of. Here you can learn many other activities that can make a difference in the life of an elderly person.

By filling your place in your community, you can help lower these statistics. You are part of community power.

• Carol Ankiewicz is a social worker at Helpende Hand. Solidarity Helping Hand’s department for social work services is launching this month, in celebration of International Social Workers Day, a campaign to raise awareness about this honorable and essential profession. International Social Workers Day takes place on 21 March.