Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic has reshaped the landscape of social work practice with a focus on community development, presenting unprecedented challenges and opportunities for adaptation within the profession. This research illustrates the experiences of social workers in community development during the COVID-19 pandemic, investigating their community development roles, the successes of implementing community development strategies, and recommendations for improving service delivery.
Drawing from the experienced social workers in the employment of the Ministry of Gender Equality, Poverty Eradication and Social Welfare who are responsible for community development, this research employs qualitative methodology. Purposive sampling was used to identify five research participants. Data was gathered through face-to-face semi-structured interviews and evaluated using thematic content analysis.
The findings reveal the numerous challenges social workers faced, including the sudden shift to remote work, increased demand for mental health support, and the need to address emerging social issues aggravated by the pandemic. Amid these challenges, social workers demonstrated remarkable adaptability, leveraging technology to maintain connections, innovating service delivery methods, and forging collaborative partnerships to ensure effective service delivery.
Furthermore, this research illustrates the emotional toll of the pandemic on social workers, shedding light on their personal struggles while supporting individuals and communities grappling with loss, grief, and uncertainty. Their experiences unveil the importance of self-care strategies, peer support networks, and organisational initiatives in bolstering their resilience throughout the crisis.
The findings highlight the critical role of social workers as frontline responders in times of crisis, as well as the interconnectedness of their work with broader societal well-being. This research paper concludes by highlighting the significance of lessons learned from social workers' experiences during the pandemic for informing future practice, policy, and preparedness efforts. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the complexities surrounding social work in the face of global emergencies and highlights the need for continued support and recognition of social workers' invaluable contributions to society.