Rewriting Social Care - Book Launch October 2nd
Do you have a blog? Ever thought about starting one? What if your thoughts could change other people’s hearts and minds? That’s what happened for Writers Workshop member Bryony Shannon, whose new book Rewriting Social Care is out soon. We asked her what it’s all about and how it feels ahead of her book launch on October 2 (supported by The Writers Workshop).
What is Rewriting Social Care about?
It's a book about the language of social care and social work, what this language reflects and influences about the way we think, feel and behave, and ways to challenge and change this language to create a better, brighter, more human future. It's based on my Rewriting Social Care blog, but with lots of new content. The book starts with some reflections about why language matters and why we use such transactional and dehumanising language in work that is (or should be!) all about people and relationships. Then the remainder of the book is divided into four parts, focusing in turn on changing the way we communicate with and about people, about the purpose of social care, about social work practice, and finally changing the story of social care and social care reform.
Who is the audience for your book?
I hope the book will appeal to a wide audience. I think the main audience are social workers and other people working in councils and other social care organisations, but I also know people who draw on care and support read my blogs, as do people working in health care, education and universities. I think there are a lot of observations and messages that will resonate with anyone who works in, or has experienced interacting with, any of the 'human services'.
How did you get started writing?
I've always written to make sense of things - daily diaries throughout my teens, notes and letters to friends (before emails and social media!), endless to-do lists. My background is in information and communications, and when I got the job of Information and Communications Officer in Adult Social Care at Sheffield Council back in 2006, I started writing about adult social care for policies, practice guidance, newsletters and webpages. I didn't know anything about social care before I got that job, and I felt like I had to learn a whole new language, which I did, but over time I grew increasingly uncomfortable with what the words and phrases used within and about social care by politicians, the media and people working in social care reflect and reinforce. So, I started my blog to help me to understand the way this language made me feel, what it represents, and ways to shift this language to reveal and influence a more human way of being and doing.
Your book grew from a blog. What was that journey like for you?
I started writing as a way of processing all the thoughts buzzing around my brain, but I didn't really anticipate people actually reading my blog posts. I remember how nervous I was when I pressed publish on my first blog post and tweeted a link. Within minutes I'd received some lovely feedback, and that first blog post about 'why language matters' is still viewed frequently six years on. Back in March 2023, an editor from Jessica Kingsley Publishers sent me a message via my blog to ask whether I was interested in turning the blog into a book. Obviously I said yes! Writing the book has offered me the opportunity to re-read all my previous blog posts and reflect on the themes and how much I've learnt since I began my blog. There were some obvious gaps that I've written new material to fill, some of which I've also published as blog posts. And there was a lot to cut out too - thousands of words to edit. It's been a labour of love! It's taken a lot of work so I'm sure it will feel amazing to see the end result when the book is finally published in September!
Join Bryony in conversation with Beverley Ward to celebrate the launch of Rewriting Social Care on Thursday October 2 at Sheffield Plate. Book here.