Karolina Gerlich, Chief Executive of The Care Workers’ Charity, outlines their latest initiatives aimed at raising the profile of and giving a voice to, frontline care and support workers.
In the world of social care, the voices of care workers—those on the frontline of care delivery—are often unheard. However, at The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) we are determined to change this by placing care workers at the centre of our work. Our recent launch of the Care Worker Advisory Board and Champions Project is an example of this commitment. These initiatives, supported by The Rayne Foundation under their “Better Careers for Better Care” programme, aim to raise the voices of care workers, address critical policy issues, and ultimately put the care workforce at the forefront of shaping the future of the care sector.
The Care Worker Advisory Board and Champions Project was officially launched on September 17th at an event in the House of Lords, hosted by Baroness Kay Andrews. The project represents a significant step towards ensuring that care workers have a platform to voice their experiences, share insights, and engage with policymakers and sector leaders.
Care workers play an important role in society, yet their contributions are frequently undervalued. In a sector that faces chronic underfunding, high turnover, and challenging working conditions, it is crucial to listen to those who are directly impacted, people who draw on care and people who provide care.
The new Care Worker Advisory Board and Champions will provide a structured platform for frontline care workers across the UK to share their regional insights, collaborate with peers, and develop new skills. This network aims to ensure that care workers are not just the subject of discussions but active participants in shaping the policies that affect their lives and the people they care for.
Participants in the Advisory Board will be compensated for their time and be able to access training and development opportunities. Members will attend bi-monthly online meetings to discuss pressing issues in the social care sector, contribute to an annual wellbeing survey for care workers, and participate in the planning and evaluation of Professional Care Workers’ Week. Through these roles, care workers will have the opportunity to advise not only The Care Workers’ Charity but also key stakeholders across the care sector, including politicians and decision-makers.
In addition to the Advisory Board, the Care Worker Champions Project provides another avenue for frontline workers to contribute to the sector’s development. Their role involves discussing insights from the Advisory Board, wellbeing surveys, and Professional Care Workers’ Week. Champions will also receive media and public speaking training, empowering them to share their experiences through writing for trade press, speaking at conferences, and participating in public discussions.
Applications for both roles opened on September 15th and will close on 15th October. Recognising the high level of interest, the selection process will not be on a first-come, first-served basis. Instead, a diverse group of care workers from across the UK will be chosen to ensure a broad representation of voices and experiences.
The Care Workers’ Charity’s Advisory Board and Champions Project represent a bold step towards placing care workers at the heart of social care. By providing them with a platform to speak, collaborate, and influence policy, the CWC is ensuring that the workforce’s voice is not just heard but prioritised. This initiative underscores the importance of listening to and valuing those who provide care, and it holds the promise of driving meaningful change in the sector.
@KGerlich777 @CareWorkersFund
thecareworkerscharity.org.uk
