How is everyone coping with the snow? Have you managed to get to work? Have your services been affected? Do you have any interesting tales or snowbound pictures you'd like to share? Feel free to share your experiences or upload your pics - you can use the upload section of CareSpace or email me any pics.
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All my lectures have been cancelled, and we'll have to make them up at a later date, which isn't best pleasing. However, I do get to stay in my nice warm house and prepare for my placement interview tomorrow and work on an essay that's due next week :)
Nice warm house sounds good! I had to come into work - mind you my train was only running four minutes late!
Apparently in Scotland they are using convicted prisoners to clear the roads.
We've heard a few things so far:-
Hampshire has apparently closed all its day centres today and we understand mountain rescue may be helping transport care workers about in Cumbria.
There are stories of social workers in Hampshire not being able to make it in because of the snow. Was anyone trapped on the A3?
I live in hampshire and the amount of snow is mad!! Im slightly worried about getting back to Uni next week as more is forecasted for saturday/sunday and I have very important lectures I dont want to miss!
''Those who imprison themselves within the confines of one model only have the perspective of the keyhole''
We are picking up on stories of social workers and care workers going above and beyond the call of duty. Has anyone got stories to share?
All my team made it in when it snowed and we all stayed all day. A bit of frost never stopped me
"We speak, and the word goes out beyond us, to consequences and ends which we had not conceived of." - Gadamer
Where I live in Greater Manchester I am aware that most councils have closed day centres, but are trying to maintain duty services and essential services for vulnerable people. Many have transferred those who usually work on refuse collection onto gritting and snow shovelling duties instead. The ambulances are being helped out by the mountain rescue service (some areas of my town and the outlying villages are largely cut off) and hospitals have cancelled all outpatient and non-essential surgery.
I have personally heard of social workers walking in to work where they can't drive, often journeys of several miles, to provide duty services or carry out necessary visits.
The snow is extremely bad and causing many people difficulties in getting around.
My university has been closed for two days, and they are updating the website each day with further announcements.
I went to work and there were probably about 2/3rds of the staff there. I didn't really have any problems although I did go home a bit early when the snow starting coming down a bit heavier. As for services, mostly as usual although I know some of the day centres closed earlier than usual to make sure they got people home.
About 2/3 made it into the office, not quite sure why the other 1/3 didn't tho
Wasn't thrilled at driving in arctic conditions, but as SW we need to make every effort to get to work
Just hope the manager recognises the length that most of us went to to get into work
i spent the day walking in my wellies - to get to work and then to visit some of my service users, looks like more of the same tomorrow as the big freeze is happening and i buckled my front wheel before christams on the ice so am extra careful now especially as i have only just had it replaced. maybe us social workers should get the use of 4 x 4's in times like this, i work in a rural locality so some of the roads have been unpassable today and i imagine they will be tomorrow also.
Hi all
Just wanted to say sorry for the disruption all this snow has caused. I outsourced weather management a while back (couldn't trust myself around the flooding) and no longer directly oversee things. However, I expect snow can be a troubling and unexpected inconvenience during the winter. Have sent a few emails to the relevant people - so hopefully normal service will be resumed as soon as poss.
Cheers then
How are things today? Are service closures continuing and is it getting easier or more difficult to maintain emergency provision for vulnerable clients?
God: Hi all Just wanted to say sorry for the disruption all this snow has caused. I outsourced weather management a while back (couldn't trust myself around the flooding) and no longer directly oversee things. However, I expect snow can be a troubling and unexpected inconvenience during the winter. Have sent a few emails to the relevant people - so hopefully normal service will be resumed as soon as poss. Cheers then
LOL at this!