A charity is being set up to support hero carers who have risked their lives on the frontline throughout the pandemic.
Care home boss, Nicola Richards, has founded the ‘ Support Social Care Heroes ’ (SSCH) because she says “it’s time to look after these amazing workers.”
They are hoping for donations from the nation so they can offer these “undervalued” and “exhausted” carers help including counselling, fitness, wellbeing coaching, menopause advice and nutrition programmes.
Nicola, managing director of Palms Row Health Care and Chair of the Sheffield Care Association, said: “These carers need the same recognition as the NHS, the same discounts in stores, the same respect.
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"They are the lowest paid workforce with one of the hardest jobs. Without them the community would break down.
“Everybody at some point will probably need care workers to look after somebody, so we have to look after them because they have done an incredible job.
“They have done it for years but the pandemic has highlighted how essential they are. They have become extended family to our residents during lockdown.
“Carers often work long, anti-social hours and they don’t often get the recognition and rewards they deserve. The situation was desperate before the pandemic but the last two years has seen them struggle like never before. “
She says SSCH, which is in the process of achieving charitable status, aims to “preserve, protect and improve the health and wellbeing of those providing social care”.
There are 1.54 million people working in social care in the UK and this is expected to increase to 2.17 million by 2035.
It is hoped that SSCH will receive significant support following research which found that the overwhelming majority of the public feel that social care staff are undervalued (81%) and underpaid (80%).
Nicola added: “The care sector loses its best people every week.
“While the sector continues to fight for fair wages and conditions for carers, Support Social Care Heroes aims to fill a gap by improving the wellbeing of these vital workers and show them that they are valued. It’s time to care for our social care heroes.”
Nurse Laura Hibbard, Care Manager at Westbourne Care home in Sheffield, added: “The last 18 months have been so tough for everyone in the care sector.
“Care home residents across the country have shown unimaginable resilience throughout the pandemic but the people who care for them are mentally, emotionally and physically exhausted.
“No one becomes a carer for the money, we do it to improve the lives of vulnerable people. It can be a hugely rewarding experience but it can also be extremely difficult at times. Carers often feel forgotten so I think it’s wonderful that SSCH is being established to acknowledge the crucial role they play in our society.”
Nadra Ahmed OBE, Executive Chair of the National Care Association, commented: “Valuing our workforce for the professionalism they have shown through the past 20 months, and for many years before, is essential.
“We must do everything we can to show them how much we care about them as they support those in our services. The passion with which Support Social Care Heroes is being launched as an innovative, led by providers, organisation demonstrates how invaluable our workforce is to us.
“Being able to do something tangible for them when they need it most feels positive. Caring about those who care for others is the right thing to do.”
Anyone who wishes to donate to or support Support Social Care Heroes can do so by visiting: www.ssch.info.
