The way we communicate with people matters, and the way we communicate about people, and about the purpose and practice of social care and social work matters too. The words we use reflect our values and feelings which influences the way we think and behave.

This is a book about language, and how the words we hear, read and choose to use both expose and perpetuate attitudes and behaviours. It's about the words that are too dominant in our narrative and practice, and the words that should dominate.

It's also a book about change. Changing how we communicate about people. Changing how we understand and articulate the purpose of social care. Changing how we practice. And ultimately changing the story of social care.

And mainly it's a book about being human. About recognising each other as equal, valued human beings, and about creating a more human, humane future for us all.

'Transformation' is a word that is often superficially bandied about and has consequently lost much of its power. But if you really do want to properly, unflashily and authentically transform Adult Social Care then start here, with Bryony. -- Phil Holmes, Vice President of the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services
'Us, not us and them'. Bryony captures the central problem that no amount of system or 'strength-based' change will solve . Our language underpins the othering we practice - Bryony shows us how to face this. -- Martin Routledge, Convenor Social Care Future

Bryony's book is just what everyone in the social care space needs right now; a brilliant, must read about how we reframe the narrative from one of 'them and us' to a humanised one of 'all of us'.

-- Elly Chapple, BA HRM and Psychology of Human Communication, Founder #FlipTheNarrative
This is a truly outstanding book by an author who over recent years has become wholly integral to the development of rights-based practice with adults, recognising that the language we use is evidence of the values that we take into every situation. Whether it's dispelling labels or advocating love, understanding the power of language, and using that towards the advancement of better social care ensures that this book is a vital companion to all those interested in social care. -- Rob Mitchell MBE, Principal Social Worker
Labels stick! Bryony's book is a brilliant exploration of the power of words and of the importance of gloriously ordinary language -- Tricia Nicoll, founder of Gloriously Ordinary Lives

Bryony Shannon has worked in local authorities in information, communications and practice development roles in adult social care for almost 20 years. She started her Rewriting Social Care blog after becoming increasingly uncomfortable with the language used with and about older people and disabled people, about people's relationship with services, and about the purpose and practice of adult social care. She wanted to expose what this language reveals and perpetuates about attitudes and behaviours and explore an alternative language that should be at the heart of more human, relational ways of working.
Bryony now works freelance with several organisations, including Social Care Future and Think Local Act Personal (TLAP), focusing on narrative, language and practice change in social work and social care.