Hi, I’m Bryony Shannon
I live in Sheffield – a city in the north of England that often feels more like a village, and has more trees per person than any other city in Europe.
I love blue sky and sunshine. Being by, and swimming in, the sea. Seeing magnolia trees blossoming in spring. My amazing kids. Cooking colourful food. Drinks and walks with friends. Creating. Writing. Connecting. And plenty of ‘me time’.
I’ve worked in information, communications and practice development roles in adult social care since 2006, and anyone who works with me knows that I care a lot about the language we use in and about social care.
Rewriting social care
I started my Rewriting social care blog in 2019, after becoming increasingly uncomfortable with many of the words and phrases I was seeing, hearing, and indeed using myself to describe the purpose and practice of social care and social work, and to communicate with and about people seeking or drawing on support. Uneasy with the story this language was telling, and the attitudes and behaviour it reflected and reinforced. Frustrated with the picture being painted, and the decisions made as a result.
After years of trying to explain the world of social care in plain language, I wanted to explore why so many words and phrases make me go hmmm… To reflect on what the language we use reveals and perpetuates, and explore how we can shift the narrative to tell a very different story.
Little did I realise how compelling this would be.
How much I’d learn, and expose, through exploring a narrative that’s so ingrained and influential in public attitudes, political debate, media stories and local authority practice – and by highlighting the missing words.
Now I’m keen to share – and continue – my learning, by working alongside people and organisations to rewrite social care.
“In fifteen years of Co-production, I have rarely worked with anyone with such intuitive grasp of the impact of language as Bryony. She understands how ill-considered word choice can damage people and Social Care interactions irreparably, and how the right words in the right places, even seemingly insignificant adjustments, can improve someone’s world. The difference Bryony has made locally cannot be understated, and Social Care nationally can only benefit from her knowledge and experience.“
Zac Martin, Joint Chair, Doncaster City Autism Partnership Board
Rewriting Social Care 