Pulling Together in Perth & Kinross – celebrating World Social Work Day 2026

Background

World Social Work Day (WSWD) 2026 arrives with a sense of excitement and pride across Perth & Kinross. This year’s global theme, “Co-Building Hope and Harmony: A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society”, invited social workers everywhere to reflect on the power of pulling together to create stronger, fairer and more connected communities. Rooted in the African philosophy of Harambee, meaning “all pull together,” the theme felt especially resonant in a world facing rising division, uncertainty and complex social pressures.

Perth and Kinross, Stirling, Fife, Falkirk and Clackmannanshire Council, Stirling University and our third sector partners Perth and Kinross Independent Advocacy, Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Service (PKAVS) and Tayside Counsel on Alcohol (TCA) have embraced a global theme to highlight our collective practice that embodies unity, shared responsibility, and collective action. In our Local Learning Partnership, we have arranged a week-long programme of celebrations aimed at amplifying the compassion, creativity, and resilience of our social work workforce, while also showcasing the strength that emerges when practitioners, students, partners, and communities come together with shared purpose. The programme of events recognises that social work is deeply interconnected with its wider network. No practitioner works alone; success comes from collective commitment.

In Perth and Kinross, where urban life intersects with remote rural communities, social work practice is shaped by deep relationships, creativity and a powerful sense of local identity. Strength, hope and connection run through the stories of individuals, families and practitioners who work tirelessly, often quietly in the background, to create meaningful change. WSWD 2026 was our moment to bring these stories to the forefront and celebrate the people behind them.

Celebrating place, people and profession

Perth and Kinross is a diverse area where urban and rural life intersect, shaping a unique style of social work grounded in strong relationships, creativity and a deep sense of community. Practitioners support individuals and families facing increasingly complex challenges, yet the profession remains firmly rooted in Scotland’s values of dignity, social justice and respect for diversity. The theme of Harambee felt particularly relevant. At a time when many people feel disconnected, social workers continue to create spaces of safety and belonging, champion human rights and help people identify their strengths. WSWD 2026 offers a chance to pause and recognise these everyday acts of courage and compassion, and the people who carry them out.

A national milestone: launch of the National Social Work Agency

WSWD 2026 coincided with the official launch of the National Social Work Agency (NSWA), a landmark development for the profession in Scotland. The NSWA has been created to:

• Raise the profile of social work and champion the workforce.
• Support the National Chief Social Work Adviser in providing strong professional leadership.
• Offer impartial, evidence-informed advice to Scottish Ministers.
• Hold national responsibility for social work education, learning and professional development.
• Lead workforce planning, improvement priorities and national strategy.
• Deliver the Strategic Plan for Social Work in Scotland (2026–2029).

The NSWA signals Scotland’s commitment to a confident, well-led and sustainable social work profession. It reflects the spirit of Harambee at a national level, aiming for unity, consistency and collective direction. For social workers in Perth and Kinross, this development was energising. Many expressed readiness to share their experiences and insights to support national reform and ensure future decisions reflect real practice.

Stories that bring us together: a digital celebration hub

This year, we created an online WSWD celebration space through PK Learning PK Learning & Development – World Social Work Day 2026 with the integral help and support of Robin Kinnear, Digital Marketing Graduate with Perth and Kinross Council.  He has designed a vibrant, accessible hub that brought together resources, videos, reflections, appreciation messages and stories from practice. It acted as a virtual meeting place where colleagues from across the region could gather, regardless of geography or service area. It also connected local celebrations with national developments, including the launch of the NSWA.

We produced a series of short videos that feature front-line practitioner voices from across Children and Families, Adult Services, Justice, and key community partners. Each person shared ‘What Matters to Them’ PK Learning & Development – What Matters To You? – Homepage in social work, considering key values that included hope, harmony and pulling together in the context of Perth and Kinross. Their reflections were personal, heartfelt and often deeply moving.  Some spoke about supporting people during crisis, others about the joy of watching individuals and families flourish, and others about the privilege of being invited into the lives of people at vulnerable times. All reflected the profound human connection at the core of social work.

Students and newly qualified social workers at the heart of celebration

Social work students and NQSW’s reflected under the theme “Pulling Together in Practice.” They shared stories of collaboration, moments of hope and the support received from teams and peers. Practice educators guided reflective conversations linking experiences to Scottish social work values. Students and NQSWs reported feeling welcomed, supported and inspired—foundational experiences that will influence their future practice.

The power of worker narratives

One of the most uplifting elements of the narratives has been where staff nominated colleagues who embodied unity, hope, compassion, humour or creativity. These messages of appreciation filled the digital hub and boosted morale across the workforce.  WSWD 2026 highlighted the importance of worker narratives for the future of social work. The Scottish Social Work Partnership’s national engagement work showed clearly that practitioner insight is essential for meaningful reform. Worker stories illuminate:

• The emotional realities of practice
• The complexity behind professional decisions
• The creativity required in resource-constrained environments
• The transformative impact of human connection
• The power of compassion.

These narratives must be heard locally, nationally and internationally. The NSWA creates new opportunities to elevate practitioner voices and ground national reform in lived experience, social justice and humanity.

Impact and reflections

The response to WSWD 2026 in Perth and Kinross has been overwhelmingly positive. Social workers have felt valued and connected, part of a professional family, and partners reaffirmed their appreciation of the profession. Many reflected that the celebrations reminded them why they chose social work: to make a difference, build relationships and stand alongside people in challenging times. In a profession that can be emotionally demanding and often misunderstood, WSWD created space for joy, gratitude and pride.

Looking ahead

To sustain the momentum:

• The digital hub will be developed as a year-round space for learning and celebration.
• Teams will explore how Harambee can guide daily practice through reflective supervision, appreciative leadership and collaborative working.
• Practitioners and students will be encouraged to stay engaged with the NSWA and national reforms.
• The approach—storytelling, partnership celebration, digital sharing—may inspire other areas across Scotland.

WSWD 2026 has reminded us that hope is powerful, harmony is possible and unity is essential. It has celebrated not only what social workers do, but who they are. In Perth and Kinross, we pulled together and, in doing so, embodied the true spirit of Harambee.