Posted on: 26 March 2025
To celebrate World Social Work day 2025, CNWL held a conference at Brent Civic Centre to demonstrate the ‘incredible, tireless and superhuman work’ of social workers across the Trust.
CNWL hosts an annual social work conference to bring the profession together. This year Brent Council joined CNWL in the spirit of collaboration.
The joint conference focused on the theme of 'strengthening all ages', emphasising the importance of intergenerational learning and support. A key message was how different generations play a role in uplifting one another, fostering a community where knowledge, experience and resilience are shared.
Shocka (Kenneth Erhahon), who gained widespread attention through his viral Grenfell freestyle song, which led to him to write a book and feature in the ITV documentary "Black Boys Don’t Cry," was a keynote speaker at the conference. He shared his powerful lived experience with mental health and addressed the stigma surrounding mental health medication.
Another speaker, Kiklomo, shared her transition from a 15-year career at British Airways into social work. One day, a passenger told her she looked like a social worker, she had an epiphany and returned to university while raising five children.
Kiklomo’s work today focuses on providing non-medical support to those affected by sickle cell, particularly in areas such as housing and financial difficulties. She highlighted the widespread lack of awareness about sickle cell, even within the Black community, and how many individuals live with the disease unknowingly. She revealed her friends and family members have sickle cell so her work Is deeply personal and meaningful.
The conference highlighted the importance of sharing personal experiences to help break stigmas, and reinforced the power of social workers to create the environment in our communities to drive positive change.
