A social care worker’s poem about the response to Coronavirus has struck a chord with hundreds. Sioned Haf Coleman, from Conwy, is a second year Social Work student at Wrexham Glyndŵr University.
Firstly, Sioned, a former local authority assessing and reviewing officer, is currently studying to achieve full social-worker status at Glyndŵr. She combines her studies with a role at a North Wales care agency helping with the community response to coronavirus. Her current role means she has to move out of her family home to continue with her current work.
She said; “I have been helping out in my local care agency. Helping vulnerable people with all the daily tasks of living that they find challenging. I get great satisfaction with this job and it will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s also a great way to get an insight into how the older generation live. It really makes you respect your elders.
Moving out of the Family House
“Since the lockdown started, I made the decision to move out of my family home to reduce the risk of spreading Covid-19. My dad is at high-risk and received a letter from the government advising him to stay in for 12 weeks.
“It has been tough, I am working as much as my body will physically allow. Wearing all of the PPE provided and taking every precaution. I miss my parents, my Nain and my little niece Gracie – who does not quite understand why she cannot hug her Aunty Sioned. Their health is all that matters to me and we have to do what needs to be done.”
Sioned has been a keen writer since she was young and has written many poems. She found herself wanting to compose a poem in response to the current crisis.
My Dad’s Knack For Poetry
She said: “I get it from my dad, Kevin. I think I picked it up from him. I write poems as a way of relieving stress and anxiety mainly.
If I had something on my mind, I would write a poem about it and felt instantly better.
“This poem I have written about Covid-19 is close to my heart and it was almost bursting to come out. One night I couldn’t sleep and I just started to write. It took me about two hours, when it was done I felt more at ease. I didn’t put the poem anywhere for a few days, but then I thought, ‘Maybe people would want to read this, maybe it could help a lot of people the way it has helped me?’
“So, I posted it onto social media and I think it got 71 shares in the first hour. I was blown away and didn’t expect such a positive response. I also sent it to one of my tutors at Glyndŵr, because I know she appreciates a poem. She even asked if she could share it with the university!”
Contacted by Social Care Wales
After the poem was shared online by Liz and Glyndŵr’s Social Work team, Sioned was contacted by Social Care Wales, the organisation which works with people receiving care and support across Wales.
She said: “An assistant director of Social Care Wales got in touch via social media, congratulating me on my poem. They also asked if they could feature it on their #WeCareWales campaign”.
The #WeCareWales campaign is to raise awareness and understanding of the social care sector. It aims to help to attract more people who have the right skills and values, to consider working in care. Moreover, an online jobs portal, which forms part of the campaign is now live to help social care employers urgently fill vacancies to cope with the demand.
13,750 Visitors!
Since its launch, more than 13,750 visitors have scanned through more than 800 job vacancies in care. To search the job vacancies in social care in Wales, visit WeCare.wales/jobs.
Sioned’s poem has also been recorded for charity.
She said: “My sister is registered blind and works for Galloway’s Society for the Blind. She also asked if I would record myself reciting the poem so their members could listen.
“It has been a bit of a whirlwind to be honest and I feel very overwhelmed with all of the kind words I’ve had from people. I feel privileged that it has touched them in some way or another and that they wanted to continue to share it with others.”
Senior lecturer in Social Work at Wrexham Glyndŵr University, Liz Lefroy, who is also a poet said; “I think my interest in poetry is seen by students as a bit of an eccentricity at times, but it’s well-known to them so I was delighted when Sioned sent her poem to me.
“Poetry is seen as inaccessible. I knew that Sioned had written a poem others could relate to straight away, so I asked her if I could share it with other students and staff. It was my colleague Nick who suggested posting it on our Social Work programme Facebook page. From there, the poem has taken on a life of its own.
“I’m full of respect for our students, many of whom are working in social care. Sioned’s story brings to life the day-to- day realities of their commitment and the sacrifices and rewards it entails.”
Well Done Sioned!
Listen to Sioned’s poem here – YouTube.
Finally, thank you for reading ‘Social Care Worker’s Coronavirus Poem Strikes Chord’. For more Covid-19 updates, click here.
