Social Service
Students who choose Social Service should be interested in helping those living in the local community who are less privileged than we are, or who have particular needs which we may be able to meet. This community comprises a number of different groups and individuals including the elderly, children from disadvantaged home backgrounds and children and adults with learning difficulties and disabilities.
The sessions include:
ChildLine - selected Social Service students complete an intensive training course to qualify as ChildLine counsellors. They then become part of a UK wide ChildLine team offering a confidential telephone helpline service to children.
Prison - students work as volunteers at Parc prison in Bridgend working with the families of the prisoners there.
Community Education - sessions involve working with children in local schools on ‘catch up' programmes in reading and writing, as well as leading classes in global citizenship.
Special needs - in these sessions we socialise with adults who have different types of learning difficulties.
Working with the elderly - there are opportunities to visit and talk with elderly people in their own homes or in local residential homes. Our ‘Music for Fun' sessions provide entertainment for the elderly in homes and community clubs
In most of our sessions students are able to work in the local community from day one. Past students have particularly appreciated this contact with "the outside world" and this service has more direct links with local people then any other. Skills learnt include listening and counselling skills, organising games and activities, working with particular groups such as those recovering from illness and those who are wheelchair bound. Students best suited to this service are those who enjoy working with people and have lots of patience and energy. A good sense of humour can help too!
