Why We Must Invest in the People Who Care for Others
Care workers are the backbone of our communities. Every day, nearly two million care workers across the UK provide essential support to those who need it most, from older adults to people living with disabilities or long-term conditions.
Despite their vital role, care workers often face low pay, high stress, poor working conditions, and limited recognition. At The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC), we believe that trusted, quality care can only exist when care workers themselves are supported, heard, and valued.
We’re here to change that.
Since our founding in 2009, The CWC has been dedicated to supporting care workers in crisis, prioritising their mental health, and amplifying their voices through advocacy and research. We receive no government funding—our work is powered by fundraising, sponsorships, partnerships, and people like you.
Crisis Support: Financial Aid When It’s Needed Most
Caring is a demanding job—and when crisis strikes, many care workers lack the financial safety net to weather the storm.
That’s why we offer Crisis Grants of up to £500 to help care workers cover essentials like rent arrears, car repairs, utility bills, or replacing broken white goods.
- Applications open monthly, but demand is high and funds often run out quickly.
- We encourage care workers to bookmark our Crisis Grant page and prepare documentation in advance.
- These grants do not need to be repaid.
So far, we’ve awarded over £6.6 million to more than 13,400 care workers—helping people stay in their homes, access transport, and regain stability in the face of life’s hardest moments.
Mental Health Support: Because Caregivers Deserve Care Too
Working in care can take a toll on mental wellbeing. Care workers often juggle emotional labour, long hours, and systemic pressure—with little time to prioritise their own mental health.
We’ve partnered with Red Umbrella to provide 10 free mental health counselling sessions, available via self-referral, with no waiting list.
- Sessions are tailored, confidential, and designed specifically for care workers.
- If additional sessions are needed, we review each case individually.
Over 500 care workers have already accessed this lifeline, and the need continues to grow.
Advocacy and Campaigning: Giving Care Workers a Voice
At The CWC, we believe care workers must be at the heart of every decision made about the future of care. That’s why we are committed to advocacy, co-production, and consultation.
Our advocacy work includes:
- Professional Care Workers’ Week – an annual platform to elevate the voices and stories of care workers.
- The Care Worker Advisory Board – a lived-experience board that guides our policies and approach.
- The Care Worker Champions Programme – creating leaders and peer advocates across the sector.
We actively involve care workers in research and national conversations:
- With the University of Oxford on AI in social care
- With the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), including a well-being survey with 7,000+ responses
Through these initiatives, we are fighting for fair pay, comprehensive training, respect, and better working conditions.
You can make a real difference in the lives of care workers. Here’s how:
Are you looking for a care service near you? Please don't hesitate to get in touch today.
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