Gill Robinson
Trustee
I qualified as a social worker in 1992, my first degree was in Social Science. I was drawn to train as a social worker through a desire to make a difference to people’s lives, l was particularly interested in working in mental health. I have always been interested in the transformative power of groups and so early on in my career, l co-facilitated a psycho-dynamically informed women’s therapy group. More recently, I have embarked on doctoral studies at the Tavistock and Portman (University of Essex) and l have chosen to research the role of reflective group’s for Approved Mental Health Professionals to see if such a group affects thinking and practice for social workers. My research is underpinned by psychoanalytical ideas.
I have also done some teaching on the Hertfordshire university AMHP programme, l contribute to the Practice Assessors for AMHP trainees. I am also involved in several social work courses including the MA and the post-graduate BIA work discussion groups at the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust. I am currently running a Balint group for AMHP leads (London region) and another reflective group for Adults social workers, largely for those working with complex self-neglect/hoarding cases.
I have been a member of GAPS for many years, a trustee and now Deputy chair. My first GAPS AGM was many years ago, held at the Tavistock, and David Howe gave the keynote on the importance of the relationship in social work. l was so enthused by the whole experience, that l immediately became a member and have been a member ever since. Joining GAPS has allowed me to be professionally align myself with like-minded social workers, interested in thinking more deeply about what is going on under the surface, as well as, receive regular copies of the Journal of Social Work Practice, (the journal has helped to shape and inform my thinking and practice over the years, when access to theoretical ideas has been limited). It is this vision of GAPS to bring together social workers who are interested in thinking and working dynamically and compassionately with each other and with those we work with; placing the relationship at the centre of the work.