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We are immensely proud of our record of helping the next generation of social workers prepare for life on the frontline.
We do this by offering placements to social work students from universities in Leicester and further afield, enabling dozens of undergraduates to spend between 70 and 100 days here at the project, directly helping the women we support.
Each is placed under the supervision of a qualified social worker and is responsible for a caseload of up to 12 women or young people, giving them invaluable real-life work experience before they resume their studies or graduate.
Overall, the students have had a massive impact on the lives of those they’ve worked with. In some cases it is no exaggeration to say their efforts have been life-changing.
The students say being confronted with the realities of the women’s lives – including the corrosive effects of homelessness, debt, substance use, mental ill-health, sexual abuse, domestic violence or sex work – has a profound effect on them and gives them an invaluable insight into the profession.
Lauren Cooke, who is about to complete her BA Social Work degree at De Montfort University, says her time with The New Futures Project has been enormously beneficial, not to mention challenging and eye-opening.
In fact, one of the women 21-year-old Lauren worked with closely in her time here has decided to write this tribute to her and the project.
“Lauren has been absolutely wonderful. Her commitment to her clients, her commitment to her practice and her commitment to her community are exemplary,” Chante – not her real name – writes.
“My journey with Lauren has been one that has been particularly unique. She has assisted me with a range of matters and I cannot thank her enough for everything she has done over the last six months that we have been working together.
“Had it not been for Lauren I don’t know where I would’ve been. She will be a fantastic social worker and I hope that her peers can look to her as a source of inspiration and encouragement.
“Lauren has helped me get my life back on track after fleeing domestic violence. Lauren didn’t see me as anything less than the wonderful being that I am, somebody can only recognise that if they are a wonderful being.
“Lauren has helped me to find my own voice after domestic violence, issues with mental health and getting my business back on track after fleeing coercive control.
“Any time that I have doubted myself and my own strength Lauren has found new and creative ways to help me get back on my feet quickly.
“In her short career, so far, she has been able to transcend services and organisations and individuals with more years of experience than she has earned.
“Lauren’s ability to do this is phenomenal, she should be extremely proud of herself. New Futures should be extremely proud of this wonderful young lady.
“I hope that our paths cross again because she has made me feel so comfortable and safe – which is rare in this day and age.
“Lauren and I attended a mental health tribunal and even just having her there beside me gave me the agency to be able to allow me to empower myself. That skill is untouchable.
“Lauren and I have also worked on goal-setting, which has led to an activity that she delivered, the ‘tree of transformation’.
“I am proud of what we have both been able to achieve over the last six months and I can’t believe that it has only been six months.
“Recovering from personal, economic and physical health issues has been an extremely trying time, but Lauren has led me and supported me through it.
“Again, I would not know where I would be if it wasn’t for her. Lauren deserves an award for her hard work and I am honoured to know her.
“I wish her the very best in her journey and I pray that she has nothing but success and happiness in her life.
“I would like to take this opportunity to formally thank Lauren for her tireless efforts, commitment and perseverance, despite the shambolic state of community and social welfare.
“I wish her the best in her career and remind her of her inner strength and kindness, which is what will take her far in life.”
Best wishes,
Chante.
Lauren, whose stay at the project ends this week, tells us: “During my time at New Futures, I have gained invaluable insights into the complexities faced by the diverse communities here at the project.
“I have developed practical skills in conducting assessments, assisting clients with submitting applications, and providing support to those in crisis.
“This experience has enhanced my ability to advocate, empower, empathise, communicate effectively, and navigate the intricacies of the social care system.
“I have enhanced my abilities to apply cultural sensitivity, ethical practice, and the necessity of self-care in maintaining professional resilience.
“Overall, this placement has solidified my commitment to advocating for social justice and empowering people with lived experience.
“My time working with Chante has highlighted my constant passion to champion social justice further and has allowed me to challenge organisational wrongdoing within different sectors of social care – predominantly the mental health area.
“My mission is to educate those who aren’t aware of the current issues people are facing within society and do not know how to work in a pro-social way to ensure anti-oppressive and anti-discriminatory practice.”
Abi Bicknell, placements manager at the project, said: “It’s so important for student social workers to have real life experience and understand the challenges of the role.
“It’s been a pleasure supporting our current cohort and Lauren has done some very valuable work during her time.”
The New Futures Project was set up more than 20 years ago to support women involved in sex work.
However, we have evolved into a comprehensive welfare and counselling service for women and young people dealing with sexual abuse or exploitation, domestic violence, trafficking, poverty and debt, substance use or mental ill-health.
Call us on 0116 251 0803 or send us a message at: info@new-futures.org.uk
You can find us at 71 London Road, Leicester, LE2 0PE.
We publish a monthly newsletter to tell the stories of the women we support and to round up all the things we’ve been doing.
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