Former First Minister inspires social work students
The Cabinet Secretary for Finance and Welsh Language, Mark Drakeford MS, delivered a moving talk to Cardiff Metropolitan University and Bridgend College BSc Social Work students.
Mr Drakeford, who was the First Minister of Wales from 2018 to 2024, spoke about his career as a probation worker, youth justice worker and Barnardo’s project leader in Cardiff.
“Social workers try to make a difference to social circumstances. This is hard. It requires effort and bravery. It is an occupation that speaks up on behalf of the people it works with,” said Mr Drakeford.
Defining good social work, he urged students to be properly informed, “You will be asked for help all the time. When you give advice, make sure it is accurate and helps people begin to resolve the issues that face them.”
Mr Drakeford, who is also a Professor of Social Policy and Applied Social Sciences at Cardiff University, highlighted the importance of resilience and persistence in the sector, “Keep going. Pick yourself up. Hang on in there in people’s lives. I couldn’t always stop young men in my area from getting into trouble with the law, but I could try to stay involved in their lives, so that help would be on hand, when they were able to change things for the better.”
When asked about his advice to his younger self, he was clear: “Hold your nerve. Be prepared to be bolder than you think you can be. Do more to make sure you are linked with other people doing this job.
“Never feel you are on your own. Form alliances with others who do the same job. Draw the collective strength of those around you.”
Mr Drakeford also spoke about how his frontline social work moved him into politics, citing repeatedly visiting a tower block where the smell of damp “could knock you back”. “This made me realise that the way to improve things is not to change one at a time, but to change the system,” he said.
He also expressed gratitude for the skills he developed during his social work career, explaining how they helped him in politics - particularly when he encountered a woman in his first constituency surgery who had just attempted suicide.
Acting Dean of Cardiff School of Education and Social Policy, Dr Cecilia Hannigan-Davies, said, “On behalf of the School and Cardiff Met, I would like to thank Mr Drakeford for his inspirational and moving talk. Social work is a demanding career and his insights are highly valuable to them as they undertake their degrees.”
The BSc (Hons) Social Work degree is delivered in partnership by Cardiff Met and Bridgend College and can be studied on either campus. The course is accredited by Social Care Wales and offers students practice learning opportunity which allows them to deal with the complexity of people’s lives in a sensitive and empowering manner.
After hearing from the former First Minister, the social work students listened to Dr Andrea Cooper and David Mckinney from the Older People’s Commissioner Office for Wales.
Dr Cooper, who works as the Safeguarding Lead, talked about the sobering impact of ageism on the abuse of older people and the impact this has on supporting them. This allowed students to discuss the implications for their future practice.
David Mckinney, who is the Ageing Well Lead at the Commission, spoke about the challenges we face in supporting older people to age well in Wales. He also focused on the unique opportunities this presents to social workers to get involved with community networks and become part of the solution.