In line with our commitment to #ChampioningSocialCare, the Foundation is delighted to confirm its support for the CARE badge.
The CARE badge is a new social enterprise initiative designed to act as a unifying symbol of pride in our social care champions: those providing, receiving and supporting care. Modelled on the NHS badge, the CARE badge provides a visible symbol of the amazing efforts of the almost two million individuals employed in the care sector, the seven million unpaid carers across the UK – and the millions receiving care up and down the country.
The Foundation unveiled its support of the CARE badge at the CareTech plc Care Awards, the annual event at which the company recognises the amazing efforts of all of its almost 11,000 staff and, in particular, those who have gone the extra mile in providing care, managing their teams and supporting their local communities. Senior staff from across the business joined the Foundation team and over 600 guests at the Hilton hotel on Park London in wearing their new CARE badges to send a powerful message to the public that our care workers deserve recognition every bit as much as those working in the NHS.
Jonathan Freeman, CareTech Foundation’s CEO, said:
“The CARE badge is a fantastic initiative, using such a simple device as the badge to show support for the country’s amazing care sector works and unpaid carers whose efforts are all too often under-recognised. We are proud to support this grat venture as a key part of our work to champion social care.”
All profits from the sale of CARE badges are given to care-related charities suggested by care workers and carers. Four awards of £2,500, which have come from profits from the sale of 90,000 CARE badges, which are the first to be issued by the CIC since its launch in June 2019 were recently made to Thurrock Carer Service; Cùram Resource Club; Sage House Dementia Support; and, The Care Workers Charity.
The CARE badge CIC was formed jointly by everyLIFE Technologies and Care England and, latterly, the National Care Forum with the sole purpose of providing the CARE badge to companies, charities and other organisations.