Page 41 - Unfair To Care 2024 - Who Cares Wins

THE CARE WORKERS’ CHARITY
“I APPLIED ONLINE AND IT WAS QUITE EASY. IT TOOK SOME PRESSURE OFF ME AND MEANT I COULD PAY SOME OF MY BILLS, WHICH HAD BEEN MOUNTING UP!”
CHARLIE
To find out more about the Care Workers’ Charity, the support they offer, or how to get involved, visit: www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk
The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) was founded in 2009 with a clear mission: to ensure that no care worker faced financial hardship alone. Since 2020, it has paid out over £5.9 million in grants, giving over 10,000 care workers a financial safety net.
The charity’s CEO, Karolina Gerlich, explains more: “The Care Workers’ Charity is dedicated
to championing care workers’ wellbeing and professional standards across the United Kingdom. We believe care workers should be respected and celebrated for their invaluable contributions to society and are committed to placing care workers at the forefront of our work.
We’re proud to have been able to offer a much- needed helping hand to thousands of care workers, with millions of pounds in grants. But we also want to focus on mental wellbeing initiatives, and we provide free counselling sessions and Mental Health First Aider Training in partnership with Red Umbrella.”
Karolina continues: “Despite their invaluable role, care workers face the challenge of stagnant pay in the face of a rising cost-of-living crisis, remaining among the lowest-paid workers in the UK. In 2023, 74% of grants were awarded for daily living costs, including increased cost of food, utilities, and childcare.”
And, naturally, low pay impacts the entire family unit – not just the individual care worker.
“As just one example, we can look at the story
of Charlie – a part-time carer with two children, who faced financial strain after a relationship breakdown. Applying for a grant from CWC provided crucial relief, helping her navigate bills and daily expenses during a challenging period.”
“AT THE CORE OF CWC IS OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A VIBRANT COMMUNITY OF CARE WORKERS, PROMOTING A SENSE OF BELONGING AND SOLIDARITY. AS WE NAVIGATE THE COMPLEXITIES OF THE CURRENT LANDSCAPE,
WE REMAIN RESOLUTE IN CHAMPIONING THE WELFARE OF CARE WORKERS AND ACKNOWLEDGING THEIR VITAL CONTRIBUTION TO SOCIETY.”
SECTION 6: THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS
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