University of the West of Scotland pair recognised at social work awards

A University of the West of Scotland (UWS) academic and student have both won a Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) award at a ceremony on Wednesday 16 March 2016 at Ghillie Dhu in Edinburgh.

John Sturgeon of the University’s School of Media, Culture and Society was named ‘Social Work Lecturer of the Year’ at the awards ceremony. John, who is a lecturer in Social Work, came to academia after a long career in social work. He won this award due to his commitment to quality social work education as well as his use of new technologies to create interactive and engaging learning.

Commenting on the award John (pictured) said: “Being nominated for this award by students at the University and by colleagues in the professional community in Dumfries and Galloway is a tremendous honour. For the University to find itself on a national awards platform twice in one evening provides evidence that the Social Work Programme at Dumfries is delivering in partnership with Dumfries and Galloway Council a student experience of the highest standard.”

Katie Armstrong, who is a 4th year Social Work student at UWS, won the Student Social Worker of the Year (Practice Award) at the ceremony. As part of her degree Katie is currently undertaking an assessed placement with the Children and Families Team in Annan. Last year she undertook professional training within the Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre in Dumfries.

Katie who will finish her professional training in May will leave the Annan team a legacy in the form of a small children’s book that she authored with a cartoon character called “GIRFEC”, which is used it to help young children explore their understanding of their world. She was described as “right out of the top drawer” by one carer.

Katie said: “It still hasn’t quite sunk in yet that I won the award! I am truly grateful and honoured to be nominated by my practice teacher from my last placement, and supported by all of my amazing lecturers and my personal tutor who over the last four years have supported me and empowered me to do my best. I am so proud of myself, John and all of the other winners and short-listed nominees for representing Social Work at its best, and I will look back and remember the remarkable evening for the rest of my life.”  

For more information on the Scottish Association of Social Work (SASW) awards click here.