Community
Let’s salute the heroic efforts of our social care workers
Jewish Care chief executive Daniel Carmel-Brown hails the diverse team who are providing a crucial service
May 1, 2020 17:29
Jewish Care chief executive Daniel Carmel-Brown hails the diverse team who are providing a crucial service
May 1, 2020 17:29It seems an eternity since we challenged the use of the term “low-skilled workers” to describe my 1,300 colleagues, and thousands like them. It was, in fact, only a few months ago.
We were then contemplating how we, and many other sectors, were working through the implications of Brexit and how these would impact on our workforces, with employees from across the globe.
Jewish Care speaks loudly and proudly of people from 70 nations and all faiths who comprise our team. We work together to deliver care to the Jewish community, set against a backdrop of values which have driven our organisations to strive for excellence.
Those values and that excellence must be the epilogue to the tragic story of deaths in care homes over the past few weeks. Yes, we have all been challenged to procure the equipment we need and, of course, none of us could have fully anticipated the number and height of the mountains we have faced.
Our residents are remarkably resilient. Just as with all of us, there are good and bad days. But being able to speak to family and loved ones as often as possible via video calls has made all the difference in keeping spirits high.
Daily activities within homes continue and our staff have worked hard to make sure that life is able to remain as normal as possible within the new restrictions and challenges.
Many organisations, including Jewish Care, were readying themselves at the very earliest stages of this emergency, knowing it would extend way beyond the wonderful NHS.
Social care staff are the ones who have made it possible for many to avoid or survive the virus — and they have brought compassion and dignity to those who have unfortunately succumbed.
They have comforted residents who have watched their peers leave us. They have enabled countless video and phone calls for families to remain as connected as possible.
They have worked extra shifts, stayed overnight at homes, handled the larger than usual number of deaths with grace and empathy. They are being led by incredibly committed leaders and managers working in the most extraordinary circumstances.
Those we now see at the frontline are among the most important people in our society. They are the fantastic carers, nurses and managers. And let us not forget the cleaners, chefs and kitchen assistants.
At the end of this terrible national emergency, there will be a count, sadly, of all those who lost their lives. However, we will never know the number of those saved by the bravery and dedication of the Jewish community’s social care staff.
While reflecting on the loss, we must recognise the commitment and outstanding practice we have seen in the most difficult and often tragic conditions.
Maybe, just maybe, it will be the turning point in the long-running need to recognise social care for what it is. As essential as the NHS.
Daniel Carmel-Brown is chief executive of Jewish Care
