SWU Campaign Fund update: 7 campaigns and room for more

Any SWU member who would like to run their own campaign is encouraged to submit their idea for funding
Simon Francis (Campaign Collective) and John McGowan (SWU) hold a copy of the SWU Campaign Fund application form between them
Campaign Collective Founder Member Simon Francis and SWU General Secretary John McGowan hold the first copy of the SWU Campaign Fund application form

Over the past six months the SWU Campaign Fund, in partnership with Campaign Collective, has supported 7 member led campaigns across a spectrum of issues that intersect with social work. It has been a privilege to provide this platform to our members who are passionate activists, especially in the areas of social justice and working conditions. We heartily encourage SWU members to submit their campaign ideas for funding through the SWU Campaign Fund webpage.

One of the initial campaigns supported by the SWU Campaign Fund was the MASW Social Work Bursary Campaign which advocated for more financial support for social work students in Wales. The Welsh Government pledged action on bursaries following this student led campaign which was a terrific result.

Another campaign from the first round of funding is the Food Is Care run by Dominic Watters (@SingleDadSW). This awareness campaign includes research that uncovered a scale of food poverty and insecurity not seen before, with quotes from social workers and an illuminating infographic with some stark figures. Dominic said, “Truly grateful for SWU’s support at a time when it felt like all the doors where being closed!!!”

On April 28th Dominic will be speaking about #FoodIsCare at an online BASW event focusing on food poverty and food insecurity – this event is open to students, social workers, BASW and SWU members, and non-members so be sure to book your place. Dominic was also recently interviewed about the issue of food poverty by the BBC World Service podcast The Food Chain in their episode ‘Food Poverty in a Rich Country’.

Another member led campaign is currently designing a Media Code to better protect social workers from media intrusion into their lives and is working with stakeholders and the press regulator IMPRESS to develop this code of conduct.

We are also excited about the new campaigns that have been approved for funding that include encouraging more part-time work opportunities to be created for social workers, celebrating and supporting neurodiverse social workers, celebrating and publicly recognising the good practice that exists among social work employers, and more media coverage around funding.

All campaigns supported by the SWU Campaign Fund are conceived of and run by social workers – much like SWU itself, which is the only UK union for, and run by, qualified and registered social workers. We are proud to be able to support our activist members in this new and innovative way.

Any SWU member who would like to run their own campaign is encouraged to submit ideas for funding by filling out the SWU Campaign Fund Application Form and returning it via email.

The Campaign Fund Committee will be reviewing proposals every 2 months throughout 2022 and will be available as needed to review campaign requests that are marked urgent. More details along with the application form can be found on the SWU Campaign Fund webpage.