UK care workers have been applauded for battling this week’s weather to continue delivering support to vulnerable people.
Staff in care homes and those delivering homecare defied the “beast from the east” and storm Emma to maintain services.
Some slept overnight in care homes, while others walked through blizzards to reach their clients.
Sharon Allen, chief executive of Skills for Care, opened the organisation’s conference on Thursday by saluting those who had been struggling tenaciously to “do what they do day in, day out”.
Care workers also earned praise from England’s chief nursing officer, Jane Cummings, and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.
Thank you to all the nurses, midwives and care staff who together with so many other clinical and non-clinical staff are doing so much to get to work and to patients’ homes to provide care and support in this weather. Stay safe and thank you.
— Jane Cummings (@JaneMCummings) March 1, 2018
On day of the Public Accounts Committee on Social Care Workforce, humble and huge admiration for the care staff out today in hideous weather giving vital care and support. You are the backbone of a civilised society. Thank you.
— ADASS (@1adass) February 28, 2018
Homecare provider Hales Care told how staff had battled to reach clients. Managing director Nicola Mewse said 4x4s had been out collecting stranded workers, other staff had walked their rounds and those unable to get to their usual workplaces had been calling in at other venues.
“Families and branch staff are working together to make sure that everyone is kept safe in these most treacherous of conditions,” she added.
On Twitter, the hashtag #snowheroes has been trending, and includes many stories of care workers’ dedication in the face of the worst winter weather for years. Here’s a selection of the tweets.
A big shout out to all our staff who were able to get to work this morning. We've heard of colleagues staying over night at work so they could be here and a creche at The Russets being set up to look after colleagues' children. You are all Snow Heroes! #SnowHeroes #WeAreSMT
— St Monica Trust (@St_Monica_Trust) March 2, 2018
The "Beast from the East" isn't stopping our tremendous home carers helping those who need it most today #SnowHeroes https://t.co/5Q7xvi1zi5
— Huw J David (@HuwJDavidCC) March 2, 2018
A huge thank you to the staff at Tenlands who have gone above this week. They have walked to work, having abandoned their cars to ensure they can look after the Residents, cleared pathways and ventured out for supplies of bread and milk #kindcare #snowheroes
— HC-One (@HC_One) March 2, 2018
Respecting our colleagues struggling through snow to get to work. We are reliant upon their commitment & dedication because what we do never stops.
— Steve Scown (@SScown) March 1, 2018
Big thank you to all @DimensionsUK colleagues working today and to all those working in social care #SnowHeroes @VODGmembership
Up and down #Scotland regardless of #REDWARNING or #AmberAlert #carestaff are getting to vulnerable people in their homes and #carehomes. We owe you so much and reward you so little. Thank you #careaboutcare
— Donald Macaskill (@DrDMacaskill) March 1, 2018
One of my care staff walked 1 hour and 45 minutes, though heavy snow, as there are no buses in Edinburgh this morning at 7am to get to one of our vulnerable ASD/epileptic clients. Huge respect to all of the care staff out there #autism #BeastFromTheEast pic.twitter.com/xiLN6S0FA3
— Edge Autism (@EdgeAutism) March 1, 2018
The #beastfromtheeast is no match for our incredible care teams! So proud of our #snowangels & #snowheroes. Battling on foot to provide essential support for customers, even made #snowmen for customers and still smiling through! 💙 Thankyou to all #care #emergency services staff! pic.twitter.com/Gj2NIH05j7
— BluebirdCareNorwich (@BluebirdNorwich) March 1, 2018
Unfortunately the character limit on Twitter doesn't quite allow us to express our gratitude to our staff and everyone else out there for our support (screen shot will have to do). Thank you everyone! #SomersetCare pic.twitter.com/RCcmPIX2PF
— Somerset Care (@SomersetCare) March 2, 2018
Our team at Bowthorpe Care Village have shown outstanding commitment: many have stayed to work extra hours or slept over to cover for the next day or night shift. Others shared taxis and local staff have worked extra hours to support our residents and tenants. #norfolkwinter
— NorseCare (@NorseCare) March 1, 2018
Heard tonight of #carehome worker who had to be rescued from car after stranded on Tues night and despite ordeal was back on shift on Wed evening having travelled 15 miles through blizzards to make it into work. That’s real #socialcare dedication. @ShonaRobison #careaboutcare
— Donald Macaskill (@DrDMacaskill) March 1, 2018
Hearing lots of great stories where @DiscoveryLDA colleagues have been taking sleeping bags to work (as standard), walking in through the snow and being true #snowheroes #StormEmma is no match for resilience and passion to make a difference
— Luke joy-smith (@Ljs1611) March 2, 2018
Day 3: We're awfy proud of our Telephone Befrienders who've hiked in to work again today. We're a happy bunch, we're safe n sound (+we have oatcakes) and now making sure our clients are too! #snowheroes Here 365days a year. Third sector works. @ALLIANCEScot @befriendingnet
— Good Morning Service (@Good_Morning_2U) March 2, 2018
#Snow was not putting off #Newcastle carer Nikki. Despite her car getting stuck and not knowing how she’d get home, she didn’t want to let down her customers. Her manager came to rescue to cover her calls. #StaySafe #SnowHeroes #TeamWork https://t.co/gt0h5kHept pic.twitter.com/HmpiWClUR5
— Helping Hands (@Helping_HandsUK) March 1, 2018
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