It’s good to talk… and listen. That’s the finding of two Social Work lecturers from the University of Winchester whose podcast had been a huge hit with students and professionals alike.
Eighteen months ago, Leah Cox and Caroline Nicolson started Different Perspectives to discuss perennial and topical issues affecting their profession.
The pair have received many compliments about the podcast, which has clocked up 5,000 listens, but wanted to assess the impact their conversations were having so secured funding from the University to carry out a listener survey.
The survey results were revealed at a presentation made by Leah and Caroline before their latest episode recorded live in front of an audience at the University’s West Downs Auditorium.
Listeners proved to be loyal with 41 per cent of the survey respondents having listened to every instalment.
Although the podcast is aimed at people who are studying social work or thinking of doing so, the pair hoped it would also be useful for anyone connected with any of the topics covered.
While students make up the bulk of the listeners, social work professionals also tune in.
Among the overwhelmingly positive feedback, the survey found that:
Comments included:
“It’s given me a tool to help people to develop the skill of becoming professionally curious.”
“It’s keeping the passion for social work alive.”
Leah has a background in adult social work and Caroline in children’s social work, so their combined experiences cover a broad range of topics but the pair often invite expert guests (sometimes from outside social work) from the fields of health and wellbeing to share their knowledge.
Students have also appeared as guests to discuss their experiences.
Podcast listeners praised the ‘sense of community’ they felt.
“We hope we have broken down the barriers between lecturer and student as we all share the same challenges and we are all in the profession together,” said Leah.
Caroline said the podcast’s success was partly due to its spontaneous form. “We have a topic but we don’t have a plan so what follows is an authentic conversation that happens in the moment.”
Listen to Different Perspectives: A Social Work Podcast here. As well as the latest ‘live’ episode on Professional Curiosity you’ll find episode dealing with a variety of topics including the social media ban, sleep, sex, time management, the Mental Health Act, difficult conversations with children and hair discrimination.
Social Work at Winchester is a professional qualification covering the main knowledge, skills and values essential for practising as a newly qualified social worker. Successful completion of this Master's degree makes you eligible to register as a social worker with Social Work England. To find out more follow this link.
Pictured: Caroline Nicolson and Leah Cox hosts of the Different Perspectives podcast
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