Since I started attending the Faculty of Social Work, I have been confronted with negative comments about social work and the work of social work centres. I was very surprised by this, because at college we learn that social work helps people and that it is here for people. That is why I decided to do my thesis to explore the public's opinion of social work and what could help the public to see social work as we see it, as those of us who work in social work and know that social work looks for the good in people and helps them to overcome the obstacles they encounter.
I chose a survey questionnaire as a measuring instrument to find out about their general impression of social work and social work centres; how they see social work; what sources they have used to get information about social work; whether they have ever visited a social work centre; whether they see the social work centre as a safe place; how they feel about the social work centre and how they would rate the work of social workers in general. In my study, 216 people took part, 172 women and 43 men. 105 individuals were aged between 15 and 26; the same number of people were in the 27–60 age group; 6 of the last age group, aged 60+, completed the questionnaire.
In my research, I found that the vast majority of people had already encountered social work centres and that people had a more positive than negative view of both social work and social work centres. They want to know more about social work, and they see the social work centre as a safe place where they can go to get help if they need it.
Among the solutions I have mentioned at the end of my thesis, I suggest more awareness raising about social work, which should start in kindergartens and primary schools, and open days at social work centres, where people can learn about the work of social workers and get the information they need.
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