You can read their statement below, and learn more about this new project:
‘Social Workers Without Borders is a open project in it’s early days, set up by social workers returning from the refugee camps in Greece and France or in relevant services the UK. We want to promote a philosophy of solidarity with people at the borders, whilst remembering that border controls don’t stop at the ports: they are a constant reality for many service users and are evident in our work places, our decision making and our language. We advocate for a Don’t Ask Don’t Tell attitude toward immigration status and would love to join together with colleagues within the profession to carve out ways of working with people without status to promote their rights, dignity and autonomy. We want to make links with other professionals, work places and organisations that are interested in embedding this philosophy in our everyday social work practice.
The EU ‘refugee crisis’ is in part a crisis of care. As such we are thrilled to be partnering with SWAN and EASSW as a regional co-ordinator (Bristol/Manchester) for the 5th June International Social Work Day of Solidarity with Refugees. This is an opportunity for members of the profession to come together alongside our international colleagues to promote beneficiary led, social solutions to solution problems. We want to share our experience, and hear the experiences of others who have been carrying out social work at the borders. What can social workers do there? How can we use our professional knowledge and voice to advocate for people at the borders, in the camps and in the prisons? As a group we would like to seek answers from those at the borders to inform our action on the day. We hope you will join us.’
