__KEY FACTS

Holding Organization:__ Social Work Action Network in Patras Status: no legal status - initiative People involved in the project: 20 core persons, 100 friends and supporters Public partners: NO Private Partners: ΝΟ Sources and links: http://socialworkaction.wordpress.com/ Contact person: Dora-Dimitra Teloni doratel71 à gmail.com

The idea:

The idea was inspired by the Social Work Action Network (SWAN), which is based in England and has branches in various countries worldwide. After the establishment of the branch in Greece, there was a need to create a group in Patras that would promote radical social work in practice.

The local context:

After the entry of Greece to the IMF, large numbers of the population were faced (and continue to face) greater levels of poverty, unemployment and rising social problems. On the other hand, the welfare system has been completely deconstructed, the social support structures have either closed or are barely functioning due to inadequate funding. Finally, the State is promoting the role of social workers as a sort of control body of citizens.

The starting point:

An initiative of a group of social workers who were connected with SWAN funded the Greek branch in 2011. It operated originally as an online platform, bringing together participants and exchanging information. In 2012, a smaller group in Patras was created by professionals and students of the local Department of Social Work.

Steps and development of the action:

2011: Foundation of the Greek branch of SWAN 2012: Foundation of the local initiative in Patras

How does it work?

The network is connected with the Community and the solidarity movements that have been developed in the neighbourhoods. It is involved in the People's Assembly of Agia Sophia neighbourhood and the activities carried out, which include distribution of food, collective kitchens, initiatives against the “hike” and other tax measures. Also, there was an attempt to organise some seminars to support parents with issues related to family and crisis.

In addition, it is working with the Community Clinic of Patras, an action that supports the uninsured, unemployed and poor people who are excluded from the public health system. In SC they formed groups for empowering women, and planned the operation of a social service agency in an alternative manner.

The Network intervenes in current political and social issues such as the “hike” in electricity and power outages in implicated households, the struggle of workers in ERT (Greek public television) and various issues of racism, discrimination and poverty. During the past year it has held support groups and empowerment of students who participated in the protests against the "Project Athena", a law passed by the Ministry of Education which eliminates many schools of higher education, among them the Department of Social Work, in most areas of the country including Patras. Finally, it is participating in conferences on social work and sends articles to relevant journals and websites.

Added value of the project and making resources available:

Social benefits: It participates in the solidarity and resistance movements that have developed in Greece, strengthening and supporting socially vulnerable populations of the country (poor, unemployed, homeless, migrants).

Shaping policies: It is trying to implement in practice the theoretical principles of Radical Social Work, connecting practitioners with the community and giving them an active and alternative role that is different from the traditional social worker.

Challenges/risks/inertias:

The difficulties faced concern both personal issues of its participants and more general issues. The members themselves experience job insecurity due to the economic crisis and their own involvement in protests and actions of resistance, which exposes them to employers and the State. Moreover, the Radical Social Work is a new venture in Greece that is starting from the beginning, taking small steps and with a need to change many things. From one side, changes are needed in the way the professionals act as social workers; from the other, changes are needed in the way the world sees the new role of professionals.

Finally, there are several practical issues such as the lack of space for meetings of members, lack of time for the implementation of operations, financial difficulties as well as the way an action is selected and why it could become possible in accordance with the network’s scope.

Future perspectives:

In the coming year, there are plans for the operation of a social service office, in collaboration with the Community Clinic based on the principles of Radical Social Work, which will not only inform people about bureaucratic issues, but it will also support and empower those in need. A demographics survey in Patras, in relation to the problems brought about by the economic crisis and residents in the area, has also been planned.