Derry woman celebrates ‘workiversary’ at Action for Children’s Waterside Family Centre

North-West woman Dannielle Harrison couldn’t think of anywhere else she’d rather be based after completing her Social Work qualification. And now the Waterside local has just celebrated completing her first year in practice at local charity Action for Children.

The path to her chosen career hasn’t always been easy. The 37-year-old had a range of caring roles, from residential care to children’s homes, but the desire to make a difference in the voluntary sector was always at the back of her mind.

After lockdown, she took the plunge and applied to the University of Ulster at Magee to become a social worker – while still working full time and caring for her young family.

“It was tough,” she recalls. “The first year I was on placement in Omagh and driving up and down while also working nights and sorting out the kids was hard going.”

Luckily, her second-year placement was much closer to home – at Action for Children based in Ebrington. The charity offers a range of services to local people, including the Waterside Family Centre (where Dannielle is now based), a Family Support Hub, an early intervention team and a SureStart facility.

“I’d never heard of Action for Children before”, Dannielle said. “So, I wasn’t sure what to expect but the team are amazing and I was made to feel so welcome.”

Guiding Dannielle on her placement was long-standing Action for Children colleague Joseph Guille – who, in his own words, is ‘a Derry man through and through’ who has worked for the charity for 14 years.

Joe acted as Dannielle’s on-site supervisor, advising her on how to work with clients and complete the assignments required to pass her degree. With this experience, Joe was also able to successfully apply for a Practice Teaching course himself and is due to take on a new student in January.

After graduating in 2023, Dannielle had a number of job prospects but, because of the positive experience she had during her training, she chose to take up a permanent post at Action for Children and recently passed her Assessed Year in Employment (AYE) with flying colours!

When asked what a ‘typical’ day looks like at the Waterside Family Centre, Dannielle laughs. “I could be out at creche, in clients’ homes, speaking to parents coming into the hub, running wellbeing groups, or going to the zoo like we did at last year’s summer scheme!” she says. “I’m certainly never bored. Of course, there’s the serious side to the job but when we see a family’s case closed and they go off to just live their lives, that’s the best feeling.”

Joe, himself a qualified social worker, added: “I was there to show Dannielle the ropes, provide guidance and support, but she taught me lots too! In this kind of role you have to be flexible and resilient, and she has those qualities for sure. She’s fitted in so well to the team. Having her on board is a real win for us and for the many local families who need support.”

To find out more about the Waterside Family Hub, contact 028 7132 9444.