Poverty Aware Practice – Raising awareness of poverty at Trinity College
On Monday 20th April, ATD Ireland Community Activist and volunteers including Paul, Craig, Veronica, and for the first time, Natasha, Tomo and Ana) had the opportunity to animate a poverty aware practice session at Trinity College with Second year Social Work students, a week before they begin their community placement. The aim of the activity was to show students the stakes and realities of their future work of social workers, and to help them get a better understanding of what poverty is and how it feels like.
They were asked by the activists what poverty and socio-economic discrimination meant to them, and could collect testimonies from them to get a better grasp on the subject. They were shown short films explaining what poverty felt like on a daily basis, like the Talking Poverty Film, Kye’s reflections on the care system and Lorraine’s testimony. This particular video moved the students, and they realised how social workers have to be careful in the way they introduce themselves, to find the right moment, the right way, i.e. not a threatening way or a way that would put the person they’re here to see in distress, in fear, or in anxiety.
Paul read Gavin’s text on the cycle of poverty, explaining to the students the struggle that parents on very little income barely have the necessary means to survive, and that their child might suffer from the same struggles, and this way, without proper help, the cycle of poverty goes on and on. The activists also explained to the students all the different components—communication, judgement, power, fear—attached to poverty and how they deeply affect a person’s life. They also talked about while the person struggling with poverty is afraid of the coming of the social worker, the social worker themselves are afraid of the meeting; afraid the person will refuse to talk to them, afraid of how their situation might be like, etc.
The last question that was asked to the students was to describe their ideal social worker. A lot of very interesting and relevant points were mentioned, among which being a good listener; being empathetic, non-judgemental, kind, honest, trustworthy, well-informed and committed to your work; continue learning even if you are considered qualified enough; acknowledge people as experts in their experiences; and explaining clearly your role and the procedures. As a last intervention, Erna reminded the class that the job field they were to work in was not neutral, but biased by a lot of different factors, and that they will have to try and change the way social work and relations are dealt with right now. Read more here.
Community Activist Craig said that “Students in Trinity absolutely loved the talk to hear from the activists and to see the work that ATD does. Students in Trinity would love a placement with ATD Ireland. Going to trinity helps inspire the next generation of social workers.”
Trinity students were very pleased with ATD’s activity, as they were given real testimonies and concrete pieces of advice that complemented what they are taught during their classes. Thank you so much as always to the Community Activists for leading the sessions, to the students for the active and thoughtful engagements, and to the professors Erna and Sinead for facilitating the sessions. We look forward to continuing this collaboration in 2026.
