The new programme has been designed to amplify the voices of care workers and address critical policy issues impacting the sector.
The latest research from last year’s State of Caring survey showcases the devastating reality of UK carers. Findings show that 40% of respondents have had to give up their career completely as a result of poor treatment and conditions, with a further 22% reducing their working hours.
Against this backdrop, The Care Workers’ Charity have announced the launch of the Care Works Advisory Board and Care Worker Champions Project, which will be funded by The Rayne Foundation – endowed in 1962 by Lord Rayne, the organisation looks for creative ways of tackling entrenched social issues through the arts, health and wellbeing.
The new scheme has been developed with the idea that current care workers can speak up about the issues they are facing, and hope experts will be able to go about tackling them. The programme is set to recruit a network of frontline care workers from across the UK so people can pinpoint which regions are struggling with certain issues.
‘We are deeply grateful to The Rayne Foundation for their generous support,’ Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity explained. ‘Their partnership has been instrumental in bringing this project to life, and we look forward to working together over the next two years, along with other funded projects under the Better Careers for Better Care initiative.’
Gerlich added: ‘This is an ambitious project to recruit a network of frontline care workers from across the UK who will serve as a vital platform for care workers to share regional insights, enhance skills and visibility and ensure care workers can feed into policy discussion and decision making.
‘The Care Workers Advisory Board and Care Worker Champions Project will foster collaboration across the care sector, ensuring that care workers and those who draw on care are at the centre of advocacy efforts.
‘By creating a space where care workers can share their stories and insights, we aim to ensure that their invaluable expertise are at the forefront of advocating for meaningful change in the care sector.’
Image: Karolina Gerlich
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