The Care Workers’ Charity is proud to celebrate the five-year anniversary of our CEO, Karolina Gerlich. Since joining the charity in 2019, Karolina has been a tireless advocate for care workers, driving transformative change in the sector and ensuring that care workers across the UK receive the recognition, support, and financial assistance they deserve.
A Journey of Dedication and Resilience
Karolina’s tenure at The Care Workers’ Charity began at a critical time—on the eve of the COVID-19 pandemic. With an unwavering commitment to supporting care workers, she spearheaded the charity’s emergency response, launching a COVID-19 relief fund that raised an unprecedented £1.98 million in 2020 alone. These funds provided vital financial aid to thousands of care workers facing illness, shielding, and job insecurity during the crisis.
Reflecting on her early days at the charity, Karolina said, “My goal has always been to do the best I can for care workers. When I started, the priority was clear—raising as much money as possible to support care workers during COVID-19. That experience shaped the way we operate today, always prioritising the needs of the workforce.”
Building a Stronger Charity for Care Workers
Under Karolina’s leadership, The Care Workers’ Charity has grown significantly, both in size and impact. What was once a small team of four has expanded into a dynamic organisation with dedicated teams for fundraising, grant-giving, and advocacy. Karolina also led the transition to a more strategic approach in securing funding, strengthening partnerships with trusts and foundations, and expanding mental health support for care workers.
Since Karolina joined, The Care Workers’ Charity has significantly expanded its support for care workers. The total amount awarded in grants has increased by 1,531%, rising from £360,582 between 2014 and 2019 to £5,882,566 from 2020 onwards. The number of care workers supported has also grown by 946%, with over 10,677 grants awarded since 2020, compared to just over 1,021 in the previous five years.
One of her key achievements has been the introduction of mental health counselling services for care workers, recognising the emotional toll that their work takes. “We knew that care workers were struggling with burnout and stress, especially after the pandemic. Our mental health programme was created to give them the support they need when they need it most.”
Advocacy and Campaigning for Change
Beyond fundraising and direct support, Karolina has been a relentless advocate for care workers’ rights. She has worked tirelessly to elevate the voice of care workers in policy discussions, ensuring that their perspectives are represented in government, research institutions, and regulatory bodies. Her efforts have helped highlight key issues such as fair pay, professional recognition, and workforce conditions in social care.
“For years, I found myself the only person in the room speaking from the care worker’s perspective. This had to change. Care workers deserve a seat at the table where decisions about their futures are made.”
Looking Ahead: A Future of Continued Progress
As The Care Workers’ Charity moves forward, Karolina remains focused on the long-term goal: securing better pay, professional recognition, and sustainable funding for the sector. With support from the Rayne Foundation, she is leading the development of a Champions and Advisory Board project, amplifying care workers’ voices in discussions on AI, regulation, and workforce conditions.
By 2026, Karolina envisions a future where care workers receive the fair pay and recognition they deserve. “We must push for a fair pay agreement that ensures long-term financial stability for care workers, making crisis grants less of a necessity. We also need serious conversations about creating a professional body for care workers—one that validates their expertise and provides a sense of belonging in the sector.”
She also highlights the need for systemic change: “Our ultimate goal is to make our charity’s financial support less necessary—because care workers should be earning enough to live without needing crisis grants. Until that happens, we will continue to fight for better conditions, recognition, and fair treatment.”
The vision extends beyond financial security. Karolina wants to see a sector where care workers are respected as skilled professionals, where young people aspire to work in care, and where government policies reflect the essential role that social care plays in society.
“The way we organise events, campaigns, and fundraising may evolve, but our mission remains the same: to support, advocate for, and champion care workers at every level. We are in a stronger position than ever to make that happen.”
A Heartfelt Thank You
As we mark this milestone, we want to extend our gratitude to everyone who has supported Karolina and The Care Workers’ Charity over the past five years. From our dedicated team members to our funders, trustees, and supporters, your contributions have been invaluable in helping us drive meaningful change for care workers across the UK.
Karolina acknowledges the many individuals who have helped shape her journey, stating, “There are so many people who have supported me, taught me, and believed in our mission. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone—past and present—who has played a part in making this work possible.”
Despite receiving multiple awards for her work, Karolina remains steadfast in her belief that the success of The Care Workers’ Charity is a collective effort. “Any award I receive is not about me—it’s about the entire team, the care workers, and the supporters who make this work possible.”
On behalf of the entire team at The Care Workers’ Charity, we extend our deepest gratitude to Karolina for her dedication, leadership, and unwavering advocacy for the social care workforce. Here’s to five years of impact—and to many more ahead.
