I am pleased to say that Skills for Care is once again dedicating this April to our Celebrating Social Care campaign. Since 2022, we have used this month to recognise the amazing work done by those working in the sector and the brilliant achievements of those supported by it. It has quickly become one of our most popular campaigns and I wanted to share how and why you should get involved.
Unsung heroes
Social care workers are unsung heroes – long hours spent overcoming challenges and continuously delivering selfless support. Celebrating Social Care is our way of acknowledging their dedication, their achievements and the impact they have on people’s lives. For those of us who live and breathe this sector, it is more than just a job. It is about making a meaningful difference every day. So, this campaign is more than just a celebration, it is an opportunity to recognise the heart and soul of social care – its people.
This campaign is not only about the sector’s amazing staff but about those who are supported by the sector who are doing great things while living their lives the way they want. In last year’s campaign, we heard countless examples of supported people who had accomplished impressive feats, from Special Olympians to amazing stories of resilience.
Creating meaningful change
This year’s campaign is closely aligned with the Workforce Strategy for Social Care. The strategy, which launched in July 2024, focuses on supporting and developing those who work within the sector and creating meaningful change by setting out recommendations that can help us ensure we have the right people and skills to support the growing need for care in the future.
By highlighting the stories of care organisations, the workforce and the individuals it supports, we hope to shine a light on the critical importance of this profession and support the strategy to achieve its aims of growing the sector and creating happier cultures. We are hopeful that this initiative will not only help attract compassionate people to adult social care but also provide opportunities to create celebratory atmospheres within social care organisations.
Get involved
We want to encourage everyone to join in with the campaign, whether that is by sharing an inspirational story, thanking a colleague, celebrating an event or activity or simply recognising the value social care brings to our communities. You could be part of the social care workforce, a supported person or someone whose life has been touched by the care sector. Everyone is welcome to get involved in the Celebrating Social Care campaign.
To get involved, follow the campaign and post using #CelebratingSocialCare on social media or visit the Celebrating Social Care campaign landing page for more information and a suite of resources and guidance to help your organisation get the most out of the campaign.
How will your organisation be #CelebratingSocialCare this April? Leave a comment on this column or join the conversation to share your thoughts.
Oonagh Smyth is Chief Executive Officer at Skills for Care. Email: [email protected] X @skillsforcare