Marilyn (Peggy) Jackson was yesterday voted Social Worker of the Year by her professional colleagues.

Ms Jackson -- a psychiatric social worker at St. Brendan's Hospital -- is the second recipient of the annual award.

She said: "I found out a month or so ago that I had been nominated -- but I really didn't expect to win because I feel that everybody stood a chance of being selected.'' The 43-year-old Warwick resident, who has been a social worker on the Island in various areas since 1981, put down her victory to hard work and a team effort.

"I guess the fact that I try to do my best and go the extra mile for people helped,'' she said. "I'm also very supportive of my colleagues in the field -- I guess I'm a team player and work along with people.'' Ms Jackson received a plaque at a special lunch at Hamilton's Pier Six nightclub yesterday afternoon.

The Livingston College and Columbia University graduate holds a Bachelor of Social Work and Masters degree in Social Work. She also holds an award from the Academy of Certified Social Workers.

During her career, she has worked in Teen Services, been a counsellor at Sandys Secondary School, been attached to Big Brothers and Sisters as a case manager and at Family Services. Ms Jackson has also taught at Bermuda College and is now working with the Prison Service teaching life and social skills to inmates.

Bermuda Social Work Council president Jacqueline Baisden said Ms Jackson deserved the accolade.

Ms Baisden added: "She has been in the profession for a number of years in many capacities. She has acted as a mentor for new social workers returning to the Island and demonstrated all the qualities -- we felt she was deserving.'' And she said: "Peggy is a unique person. She's very personable and very socially orientated, well-liked by her peers and her academic credentials are considerable.'' Ms Jackson said she always wanted to be a social worker but had to work for several years as a clerk in the insurance industry to help pay her way through university.

She added: "A lot of social work problems were developing in the 1960s and 1970s and I thought I could help. At that time, the drug situation was starting to rise and housing was a problem.

"I looked around me and thought I could make a contribution here, plus I like working with people.'' The biggest differences she had seen throughout her 16-year career had been a tripling in the number of professionals from the 15 to 20 working in the field when she first came back to the Island, and an increase in social problems.

The erosion of family values had also played a part in an ever-increasing caseload.

"The problems we see have escalated and become more intense, especially with the drug problem,'' Ms Jackson explained. "The tradition of the family unit is very significant right now and I feel we need to do more to strengthen families in order to try and save the community. That's where we need more resources.''