The green metal badge, emblazoned with the word “care”, has been created in a bid to recognise and celebrate the efforts of the nine million paid and unpaid carers working in the sector.
“The CARE badge is an eye-catching and powerful symbol of pride in the quality of care”
Martin Green
Launched today by industry body Care England and digital care planning firm everyLIFE Technologies, the initiative is being run by the newly-formed Care Badge Community Interest Company.
According to the brains behind the scheme, the badges are intended to be a “unifying symbol of pride and quality in social care for those providing, receiving or supporting care across the UK”.
Proceeds from the sale of badges, which cost £1 each, will go to care-related causes and charities chosen by care workers and those in unpaid caring roles.
The idea is that employers buy boxes of badges and hand them out free to staff and carers to wear. Those who purchase badges will also have the right to use the Care logo on publicity material.
The badge was officially launched on 26 June at the Residential and Home Care Show taking place at London’s ExCel centre.
Already more than 34,000 badges have been sold in the three weeks prior to the event, with care home operator HC-One ordering 14,500 for its staff and carers.
“The CARE badge is such a simple and inspiring idea”
Liz Jones
According to organisers, up to 50p from the sale of each badge will go to good causes with the rest covering the cost of making and sending out badges.
Charities that could benefit from funding will be suggested by staff and carers and selected by a committee of care professionals.
It was announced today that Liz Jones from the National Care Forum had been appointed as director of the CARE Badge Community Interest Company.
Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England, said: “The CARE badge is an eye-catching and powerful symbol of pride in the quality of care so many deliver across the UK every day.
”I shall be wearing my CARE badge with pride and I sincerely hope all of you will get a CARE badge and raise the profile of care,” he said.
Liz Jones, policy director of the National Care Forum, said “The CARE badge is such a simple and inspiring idea – a great way to recognise and thank the millions of people involved in providing great quality care across the UK and a great way to help that huge community of people feel proud and valued.”
https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/workforce/badge-launched-with-aim-of-boosting-pride-among-care-home-staff/7029477.article