#WeCare at Christmas
- Sharon Wilde
- Dec 18, 2017
- 2 min read
We're an ageing population. 1.8 million people requested social care assistance last year.
But social care funding is being cut.
Over the last seven years spending has been cut by £1.5 billion. The population has been growing, so spending per adult fell by 13.5%. But the work doesn't stop for those who care for us, our families and our relatives - not even at Christmas.
People like Rosemary, for example. She's 73 years old now and has been caring for others for many years.
She's worked on every single Christmas Day - often all day - since she started.
But she doesn't moan about it - in fact she loves the job so much, and those who she cares for - that Christmas probably wouldn't be the same without it.
Watch Rosemary's story:
As part of a new campaign - called We Care at Christmas - we'll be releasing more videos featuring inspiring stories from other carers who work while many of us enjoy longer breaks over the Christmas period.
You can help us say thank you to Rosemary, and the thousands of other carers, by visiting the site and signing our Christmas card. It takes just 2 minutes.
GMB is the union for care workers. We represent tens of thousands of carers across the UK.
We know that carers love their work do an amazing job, all year round. But we also know they need better pay and a properly funded sector to deal with increasing pressures.
It has been an honour and a privilege to meet such kind and compassionate people. I laughed and cried with them as they recounted their stories as the people they care for become part of their extended family.. For care workers this is not just a job but a way of life.
