We, as support staff, are trying to raise awareness for health and social care workers. In my current employment, my colleagues and I are currently facing a full reduction to the terms of our contracts. This includes;

  - Loss of sick pay(Reduction to statutory sick pay)   - Loss of double time on bank holidays   - Loss of annual leave   - Loss of sleep-in top-ups   Health and social care workers have been underappreciated since day dot. They don't receive the wages that they deserve. Companies will continue to blame the local governments as to why we don't get paid a fair wage, people will stand on the step and clap for us but how many will stand alongside us during this fight. We need local government to finally give the health and social care sector a real wage!   I know that within my company, over 2% of staff have told of their need to use foodbanks. There is a possibility this number could be much higher and in any case, highlights the awful state the sector is in that hardworking staff have to struggle this way.   Health and social care workers have always been classed as unskilled, I know that that I had to study for 2+ years for my diploma. I also know that staff have to complete care certificates, NVQs and a multitude of other training and that's just to understand the legal side of the job. The hands-on side of the job takes even longer to learn due to the complexity of the needs of the people we support.   Care companies play on the heartstrings and use emotional blackmail to keep staff, they constantly take from staff and during the recent Covid-19 Pandemic, staff took a pay cut with regards to the sleep-in rates. This hit staff hard but to lose even more, this could push staff to breaking point and force many brilliant support staff into other roles and sectors. Of course, support workers have big hearts and want the people they support to continue receiving the high-quality care that they currently receive. Unfortunately, being emotionally black-mailed and hoping that they will stay because of the love they have for the job DOES NOT PAY THE BILLS.   Recruiting in health and social care is extremely difficult, please before we go into a national crisis within health and social care, sign the petition and support the men and women that are supporting people to live their lives every single day.  

Thank you.