Social work is not about recognition, according to Bertha Bour – it’s about meeting people from all different walks of life and making a difference to their lives.
Bertha is an experienced social worker, who has been with Bedford Borough Council since 2019, after first joining the profession 14 years ago.
And she relishes how every day – and every person’s needs – are different.
Bertha said; “Some people have physical challenges, such as frailty and ageing. For other people it can be mental challenges, such as dementia or depression. I could be working with literally anyone aged 18-plus, whatever their gender, background, religion, or ethnicity.
“What unites us is that we’re all human – if you need help then you need help, and we’re there for you at your time of need.”
Bertha described how people can come to receive support from a social worker after a report from a concerned friend, family member or neighbour, or a referral from a GP or other health or care professional.
“Not everybody wants us to get involved, and what our involvement looks like can vary too,” said Bertha.
“It can be ongoing, or it can be re-ablement – getting people back to what their normal baseline looks like. That can last for up to six weeks, is free, and is often part of the discharge plan when people leave hospital.”
Bertha can’t quite put her finger on how she realised that social work was the career for her, but with her she comes from a family who like to help others.
“I’ve always been a people-person,” she said. “And what better way to use that in my career than by working with so many people, every day?
“This is always a fascinating job, it’s never boring, although it can be psychologically draining. What success looks like varies from person to person. But when you see somebody getting better and getting happier, you think ‘I helped with that, I helped that happen’. That brings a huge feeling of personal fulfilment.”