Care Workers Charity (CWC)

Established in 2009, The Care Workers Charity supports current and former care workers with the provision of one-off hardship grants.

There are 1.5 million care workers in the UK, caring for some of the most vulnerable people within our society. Care work is a notoriously underpaid and undervalued job, with care workers enduring huge amounts of stress and pressure as they care for others with limited time resources.

The Care Workers Charity (CWC) understands the financial challenges faced by care workers and recognises the importance of their role within society. The grants that they award are life-changing, bringing hope and an ability to face the future to former and current care workers.

In 2018, the CWC quadrupled its output, awarding more than £150,000 to 400 care workers; they expect this to rise to £250,000 in 2019. In addition to grants, the CWC aims to tackle other, non-financial issues faced by people working in care. Throughout 2019, the Care Workers Charity aim to build a support network to address these issues and promote the incredible contribution that care workers make to society.

The Care Workers Charity will consider grant applications from any individual who has ever had a paid role in the UK’s care sector, and who are involved in the provision or support of care including residential care, home care, day care or supported living. The charity offers two types of grant, usually of £500 or less:

1. An Essential Needs grant towards the cost of an item or basic need in order to improve quality of life or promote health. These can include white goods, health improvement aids, help with heating bills.
2. Crisis grants recognise the fact that even if care workers are able to survive on their wages, they may not have contingency money or savings to help them through unexpected events. Crisis grants offer support during life-changing or unexpected circumstances, such as illness, accident, injury or bereavement, in cases where the applicant doesn’t have the money to cover costs (such as moving home, travel, funeral expenses).

Are you a care home provider? Find out more about joining our online directory of CQC registered care providers.