Sue Learner, editor of carehome.co.uk
Care workers quietly and tirelessly care for older people and those with illness and disabilities. Nearly 2 million people work in the adult social care sector in the UK. The workforce is mainly made up of women and it is more diverse than the general population.
carehome.co.uk is sponsoring the Care Sector Fundraising Ball because the work of these care staff often does not receive the recognition that it deserves. Yet they are vital in ensuring our family and friends, who need extra care and support, are able to carry on living life as independently as possible. Their valuable contribution to society needs to be recognised.
Last year we were delighted the event raised £426,852, which was split between the Alzheimer’s Society and the Care Workers’ Charity.
There are nearly a million people living with dementia in the UK and the Alzheimer’s Society gives vital support and information to people with dementia and their families and invests in vital research.
The Care Workers’ Charity which champions care workers was another worthy recipient. Last year it gave out over £1 million pounds worth of grants to care workers facing financial hardship.
We launched our free Care Helpline last year which has already helped thousands of people find the right care home for them. We often hear from families after their loved one has moved into a care home and what is most important is always the compassion and empathy of the staff.
It is the care staff that give a care home its warm and welcoming atmosphere and make residents feel valued. We have over 300,000 reviews of care homes on carehome.co.uk and the main topic is always the staff.
We regularly see comments such as “I cannot thank the manager and her staff enough for the care they give Mum every day.”
And “I have been dreading going into a care home, even for respite. I have had a wonderful surprise, I am not having my independence taken away, there is always help if I want or need it. The staff are all lovely, fun, kind and compassionate.”
After care workers giving us all so much 24/7, it feels good to be part of a fundraising event which will help fund the Care Workers’ Charity which supports current and former care workers.
This year the ball will also support Marie Curie, the leading end of life charity in the UK for anyone with a terminal illness, including dementia and Parkinson’s.
As well as these two charities, the ball is for the first time supporting small charities which have a turnover of under £100,000 a year.
So our decision to support the Care Sector Fundraising Ball was an easy one as it resonates with our values at carehome.co.uk in supporting those who change people’s lives for the better.
Care Sector’s Got Talent All Stars entertaining guests at the 2023 Fundraising Ball
