Bellevue social workers caring for the mentally ill beyond hospital walls
WITH FEW, but willing, hands and an abundance of love, the small team from the Social Work Department of the Bellevue Hospital, Kingston, celebrated Social Work Month with nearly 700 inpatients and over 300 outpatients in the capital city during March. This year’s theme was ‘Social Workers: Leaders, Advocates, Champions’.
Among sponsors of the outreach programme was the Jamaica Broilers Group, through its Best Dressed Chicken brand, which has participated in the annual event over the past three years.
Led by Jessica Tyghter-Shaw, senior social worker, representatives of Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) and The Best Dressed Chicken brand travelled into the communities of Mountain View, Harbour View, Rollington Town, Rockfort, and downtown Kingston on March 14 to deliver care packages door-todoor to outpatients of Bellevue. Packages included toiletries and non-perishable items donated by Jamaica Biscuit Company, Cals Distributors Limited, Lasco Distributors Limited, the Lions Club of Portmore, Food For the Poor, and National Baking Company, along with protein from The Best Dressed Chicken.
“Our patients were more than excited and appreciative to get that extra nugget in their bag. So we thank our sponsors for their help each year and those who came on board with us to make this month an extra- special one, not just for us, but our patients,” said Alleen Smith-Roberts, medical social worker at Bellevue Hospital.