Reflecting on World Social Work Day and the Power of Collective Action
World Social Work Day is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and reconnect with the values that underpin the profession. This year, YMCA Together attended the BASW England World Social Work Day event, where this year’s theme prompted conversations about unity, social justice, and the role practitioners play in bridging divides.
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Reflecting on the event, YMCA Together’s Head of Domestic Abuse Services, Cheryll Hamid, said:
“Attending the BASW England World Social Work Day event this year felt both timely and deeply necessary. In a world that often feels increasingly fragmented, the theme of a harambee call – ‘all pull together’ – resonated powerfully throughout the session. It was more than a slogan; it was a challenge to each of us to reflect on how we show up in divided spaces and how we actively contribute to unity.
The event brought together practitioners, educators, and people with lived experience, all sharing a common commitment to social justice. What stood out most was the honesty in the room. Conversations didn’t shy away from the realities of division – whether rooted in inequality, cultural misunderstanding, or systemic barriers. Instead, there was a shared determination to confront these issues while holding onto hope.
The idea of harambee felt particularly relevant to our work here at YMCA Together where we all matter. It reminded me that meaningful change cannot happen in isolation. It requires collective effort across communities, disciplines, and perspectives.
I left the event feeling both reflective and energised. Reflective, because the discussions challenged me to think critically about my own role in fostering inclusion. Energised, because being in a space filled with passionate individuals reaffirmed that change is possible when we come together with purpose.
World Social Work Day is always a moment to celebrate the profession and sector, but this year it felt like a call to action. A reminder that even in a divided society, there is strength in unity – and that through collective effort, we can begin to build the connections needed for a more safe and compassionate world.”