Tim Fisher and Rich Devine kick off with reflections on culture and connection, inspired by recent experiences, including Rich’s first trip to the theatre to watch Les Misérables. They discuss the profound impact of stories and how creative expressions like theatre offer fresh perspectives on justice, empathy, and the challenges of human connection.

The episode’s highlight is a conversation with Renata, a dedicated social worker in East Sussex and the first storyteller in the Friday Story initiative. She shares her approach to relationship-based practice and describes a memorable experience supporting a young boy with autism, Henry, who faced bullying at school. Renata’s gentle, persistent help in teaching Henry daily routines led to improved confidence for him and his family—a powerful example of social work’s impact.

The discussion also touches on the importance of self-care, empathy, and resilience. Inspired by Vikki Reynolds’ ideas on solidarity teams, Tim and Rich emphasise the need for supportive relationships to sustain social workers in their roles.

This week’s episode encourages listeners to celebrate the small acts of kindness that make a big difference and reminds us that in social work, sometimes “to love is to act.”

We hope you enjoyed this episode, please do contact us and share your reflections. If you have any questions or topics you would like us to explore, do get in touch:

Links:
Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/
Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/
Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/
Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-devine-181763177/

In this week’s episode of the Relational Activism and Social Work Podcast, Tim Fisher and Rich Devine dive into strategies for social workers when feeling “stuck” in cases, especially in longstanding family dynamics where change can be elusive. Rich introduces a framework for recognizing situational and psychological denial in families, exploring the defensive mechanisms that arise in challenging times and how social workers can respond with empathy and clarity. They also discuss the balance between addressing root issues directly and strengthening a family’s support network around the child, highlighting how meaningful change can occur from various angles.

The episode further delves into actionable techniques, like clarifying expectations and outcomes with families and understanding critical causes of both danger and change to avoid overwhelming interventions. Drawing from practice wisdom and Andrew Turnell’s academic insights, they explore the importance of “on the ground” experience as opposed to only theoretical knowledge, raising thoughtful questions on the role of frontline voices in social work discourse.

With ideas that encourage both reflection and practical application, this episode is rich in insights for social work practitioners seeking grounded approaches to their daily challenges.

Links:
Relational Activism: https://www.relationalactivism.com/
Rich Devine's blog: https://richarddevinesocialwork.com/about/
Tim Fisher LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/timfisher101/
Rich Devine LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/richard-devine-181763177/

In this episode of Relational Activism in Social Work, hosts Tim Fisher and Rich Devine are joined by Terri-Anne Hamer, a care-experienced activist, who shares her powerful journey of overcoming intergenerational challenges and finding her voice within the care community. Terri-Anne reflects on her unique path, discussing her experiences as a third-generation care-experienced individual, her role as a kinship carer for her brother, and the emotional process of understanding her identity. She highlights the transformative power of storytelling for care leavers and discusses her work with the Care Leavers Association, particularly its commitment to connecting care leavers of all ages through initiatives like Care Leavers Connected and a new digital inclusion data bank.

Tim and Rich explore the impact of trauma and shame, with Rich sharing his own journey around self-worth and validation. Together, they consider how understanding one’s story can reshape identity positively. Terri-Anne emphasises the importance of systems that support care leavers beyond the age of 25 and underscores how resilience, connection, and community support empower individuals to move forward.

The episode closes with Tim reading an inspiring poem on identity and potential, followed by Rich’s “Eckhart Tolle roulette” reading, which encourages listeners to look beyond worldly achievements and find peace in understanding the essence of who they are. This episode blends humour and vulnerability, showcasing the resilience of care-experienced individuals and the meaningful impact of relational activism in social work.

You can find Terri Anne on LinkedIn and Twitter:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/terri-anne-hamer-82b850304/
https://x.com/tahamer80

And learn more about The Care Leavers Association here:
https://www.google.com/search?q=the+care+leavers+association&rlz=1C1GCEA_enGB973GB973&oq=the+care+leavers+association&gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUqCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyCggAEAAY4wIYgAQyDQgBEC4YrwEYxwEYgAQyCggCEAAYgAQYogQyCggDEAAYgAQYogQyCggEEAAYgAQYogQyBggFEEUYPDIGCAYQRRg80gEINDA0OWoxajSoAgCwAgA&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8