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Care workers hailed for battling weather to keep services running

A walk along a snow-covered Portobello beach during a snow storm
Staff in care homes and delivering home care have defied the ‘beast from the east’ and storm Emma to maintain services. Photograph: Matthew Horwood/Getty Images

UK care workers have been applauded for battling this week’s weather to continue delivering support to vulnerable people.

Staff in care homes and those delivering homecare defied the “beast from the east” and storm Emma to maintain services.

Some slept overnight in care homes, while others walked through blizzards to reach their clients.

Sharon Allen, chief executive of Skills for Care, opened the organisation’s conference on Thursday by saluting those who had been struggling tenaciously to “do what they do day in, day out”.

Care workers also earned praise from England’s chief nursing officer, Jane Cummings, and the Association of Directors of Adult Social Services.

Homecare provider Hales Care told how staff had battled to reach clients. Managing director Nicola Mewse said 4x4s had been out collecting stranded workers, other staff had walked their rounds and those unable to get to their usual workplaces had been calling in at other venues.

“Families and branch staff are working together to make sure that everyone is kept safe in these most treacherous of conditions,” she added.

On Twitter, the hashtag #snowheroes has been trending, and includes many stories of care workers’ dedication in the face of the worst winter weather for years. Here’s a selection of the tweets.