Every morning I wake up at seven o'clock, have breakfast at home and drink an espresso on my way to work. I catch the metro to travel.
I start working at half past eight in the Portuguese Institute of Oncology in Porto. I have worked there for more than 17 years. In January I was appointed by the board of the hospital to join the discharge team.
Every morning a team comprising a doctor, a nurse and a social worker (me) have a meeting to plan our day.
I also work in a general surgery service and am a member of the emergency team that provides social and psychological support if any emergency happens inside or outside the hospital, and I supervise students from social work schools on professional placements in the hospital.
As a member of the health team, I am able to contribute to a better life quality for the patients and families and empower service users to ensure their voices are heard.
Since 2001, I have represented Portugal internationally, attending the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW) Europe delegates' meetings.
In May 2008 I was elected executive member of IFSW Europe and have special responsibility for communication. I created and manage the IFSW Europe blog and Facebook page, collaborating on the production of videos and other material aimed at increasing awareness of the demanding nature of social workers' responsibilities. I was elected president of IFSW Europe at the world social work conference in Stockholm earlier this year.
I have been able to draw on my experience as a musician in the production of a DVD launched by IFSW Europe in 2011, Social work is, composing the music and lyrics and performing a song.
After finishing work, I go home after a bit of food shopping. I occupy myself then by cleaning, checking my emails – mostly from IFSW Europe – and try to catch up on work.
I like to cook, so when I have guests I try to be creative and prepare different types of meals. I am always listening to music when I am at home even when I am working. From 1999 I was the musical director and singer of the group Segue-me à Capela, which performs traditional music from Portugal, but left the group last year due to lack of time.
At the moment I am working with a friend on a new musical project. It is difficult to find time to work on it but we have the inspiration to go forward so I hope the work progresses soon.
My nights usually end by watching TV. I follow the news, sometimes I see a movie before I go to bed around midnight. Tomorrow is another day!
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