Carers should be Valued

At the Edith Ellen Foundation, we work tirelessly to ensure that those needing care are not isolated from neighbours and friends.

We are increasingly becoming more and more aware of the need to provide excellent and consistent care as people’s confidence in the Care system falls.

In addition, we also appreciate that the Carer needs to be appreciated, valued even.

Morale in the care sector is low.

The media tends to concentrate on stories of poor care – and of course these must be told. But this often means that we do not get to hear the marvellous stories of the many people who work in the care sector who show loving kindness to their clients every day and go the extra mile to support and care for their clients.

The vision for social care must not be lost through an inability or unwillingness to pay a living wage which properly reflects the value of those whose job is to care for the vulnerable.

The care sector is an area where employers are struggling to pay the living wage for various reasons. I hoped that this was not because of an unwillingness in principle, or a sense that the workers were not worth higher salaries, but more and more it becomes clear that it is just about profit.  We know that the quality of care will be better if people can be better paid.

These care workers are paid the minimum wage, and many work unsocial hours so that 24-hour care can be provided 365 days a year.

Sometimes for the carer, it is simply not about the wage, for the carer it is the basic need to be appreciated, valued, to reach self-actualisation, and to purely be thanked for the work they do for whose work we are so thankful.

So, this Christmas, take time out to simply say “Thank You” to a Carer.

#carer #social #thankyou