top of page
metin-ozer-z-zOeIMQJCE-unsplash 16.9.jpg

Social work education and training

Mildmay has been at the vanguard of social work education for over five years.

Students from in and around London are placed at Mildmay to complete their social work placement.

Image credit: Metin Ozer

Mildmay makes a positive contribution to training the next generation of social workers.

Mildmay’s social work team, headed by Beverley Nelson, Lead Social Worker and Safeguarding Lead, supports vulnerable patients at our hospital. It offers patients wrap-around care that is respectful, inclusive, and considerate of all care and support needs. Mildmay’s social work team works with patients, their carers, family, and advocates to promote collaborative working, anti-oppressive and anti-discriminative practices.

 

Mildmay offers students the opportunity to work in a multi-disciplinary team alongside consultants, psychiatrists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists,  doctors, nurses, and community nurse specialists. Students can also work with teams outside of the hospital to plan a patient's discharge.

Due to the complexity of the needs of patients, cases often require multi-skilled and diverse professionals to meet their needs. Students have the opportunity to work with patients from the point of admission to the point of discharge and handing over to the community teams.

 

Mildmay is a unique hospital that offers people a place to heal and a place to reconnect with family, friends, and loved ones.

We help patients to build a support network that promotes wellbeing and social inclusion once patients have been discharged. Mildmay’s social work team prides itself in building and maintaining a positive relationship with patients to ensure that patient care is personalised and meets their assessed needs.

A Clinical Nurse Specialist writes in relation to a patient who recently left Mildmay:

"Dear Beverley and the whole team at Mildmay,

 

Good morning. A note to send you our warmest appreciation for all the care and support with J____. He has attended our community Clinic today and has settled well so far. He has also asked me to say thank you to you all for all the care and attention he received.

 

Wishing you all a good day

Kind regards

S____"

Head of HIV Community Services

Wembley Centre for Health and Care

Student placements

We have been supporting students for over ten years, enabling them to experience working in a specialist environment within a multidisciplinary team. All student referrals have to come via their educational institution.

Students at all levels are welcome to support their learning. We offer you the real-life experience of working with service users at a pace suited to your learning needs, ensuring support is available to help you in your learning journey.

The presence of a multi-disciplinary team means that students also have the opportunity to work with and learn from other professionals.

If you are seeking a social work placement in an exciting and challenging clinical environment, in the first instance, please contact Mildmay's Lead Social Worker, Beverley Nelson:

beverley.nelson@mildmay.org

Testimonials

2023
jamie J

My name is Jamie, and I am studying for an MA in Social Work at London South Bank University.

I chose to study social work after working in mental health support during and after the pandemic. I was able to see the positive impact that a good social worker could have on someone’s quality of life, and I was inspired to work as a social worker supporting adults.

I look forward to completing my final placement at Mildmay Hospital because there are opportunities to improve my skills in assessment, relationship-building and anti-discriminatory practice. I have the chance to work closely with a skilled multi-disciplinary team, and I am looking forward to benefiting from their experience and input and, in return, feeding my ideas back into the organisation.  

Ramona M

I am a final-year Social Work student at the University of East London. I have commenced my 100-day placement at Mildmay Mission Hospital, and I can say, without a doubt, that I love it thus far!

I have learned so much in the last few days about HIV and how it affects the body. Being a part of a multi-disciplinary team has also shown me the important role each member plays in ensuring service users are well looked after during their stay here and after discharge. I look forward to learning more in the coming months.

Ramona

2022
Lawrence Bimenyimana

"My name is Lawrence Bimenyimana, a third-year BA student at London South Bank University.

I chose to study social work due to my experience with social work services growing up. I once lived in shared accommodation where social workers supported us in all aspects of life.

 

This intrigued me to study social work and give back to the community. The best thing about my placement at Mildmay Hospital is the warm welcome and acceptance of the team as well as the diverse learning opportunities available.

The most challenging experience is seeing patients leave after discharge and breaking that working relationship and rapport with them, never to see them again. However, that’s part of the work I-  have to learn and accept it. I would like to continue experiencing the great working relationship with the multidisciplinary team at Mildmay Hospital and utilise the learning opportunities that arise to improve my knowledge."

Ian - UEL

"My name is Ian and I am currently studying for an MA in Social Work at the University of East London, on placement at Mildmay.

 

I was drawn to social work as I wanted to find a job where I could work with people to help them. Mildmay has offered me a great opportunity to start my journey. I want to work with vulnerable adults and the different pathways patients at the hospital are on mean I am working with people requiring support and guidance in a wide range of ways.

My most challenging experience so far has been working with a patient to help them move from street homelessness to a hostel. It made me appreciate the difficulties involved when coordinating this for people in complex situations.

 

Tackling the homeless crisis is a cause I am passionate about. Gaining greater experience working with those on the Homeless Pathway is something I am keen to do whilst at Mildmay. The team are incredibly friendly here and it’s been really interesting learning from the specialist knowledge each person has!"

More feedback from Social Work students

“Thank you for taking your time to support and teach me during my time at Mildmay”

“It has been an incredible experience working with you, you are so multi-skilled and resourceful and shown me so much support over the past few months and I am grateful”

“I just want to thank you for everything you have done for me this year. I started shy and nervous and now I’m leaving feeling confident and excited for the future”

bottom of page