Spotlight on Community Development Social Work 16 May 24

Social work often involves working with individuals. Community social work is an area of the profession that focuses on issues that affect larger groups of people.

These problems are often complex, and occasionally, politically difficult, but community social work can be a process that enables people to revitalize their own communities.

Community social workers help to build an inclusive environment where individuals are valued and empowered. There is a wide scope of opportunity for social workers in community development.

Some work directly with individuals, couples and groups. Others work at the community level, while still others work for national and international organizations. They can work for social services agencies, non-profit organizations and grassroots organizations.

About the presenter -

Brittany Szlezak has been a qualified social worker for over ten years, although she feels as though she has been living through social work values since she was a child.

Having spent most of her career in a variety of mental health settings including the not-for-profit sector , hospital and policy development , Brittany grew more and more interested in what it means to feel a sense of belonging in community. This interest is what drew Brittany to the world of Community Development. She now works in the local government community development sector.

In 2019 Brittany was a finalist in the Young Tasmanian of the Year Community Service Award after co-founding and producing the highly successful Mental Health Comedy Roadshow. In 2023, Brittany played a key role in coordinating a Youth Week Event called the “Brighton Big Bangin Youth Night” which won a Tasmanian Local Government Award for Excellence.

Join Brittany to learn about a day in the life of a community development social worker and what we need to do to ensure this practice is maintained for decades to come.

When: Thursday, 16 May 2024

Time: 7.00 pm – 8.00 pm AEST

Where: Live online (Zoom link will be emailed day of the meeting)