Care Worker Advisory Board Celebrates First Year At House Of Lords Reception
The Care Workers’ Charity marked a significant milestone this week with a special reception at the House of Lords, celebrating the first anniversary of its Care Worker Advisory Board and Care Worker Champions Project.
The event, sponsored by Baroness Kay Andrews OBE, brought together frontline care workers, sector leaders and charity partners to reflect on a year of progress in putting care workers’ voices at the centre of policy development and advocacy within the adult social care sector.
Since launching twelve months ago, the initiatives have empowered care workers across the UK to shape national conversations around workforce policy, fair pay, wellbeing, training and professionalisation. The programmes, funded by The Rayne Foundation under their Better Careers for Better Care initiative, have created formal, paid roles for care workers to advise on and co-design everything from policy to project planning.
Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity, highlighted the impact of the approach:
“One year ago, we launched a bold new approach by creating formal, paid roles for care workers to advise, co-design, and influence everything from policy to project planning. Yesterday’s reception was a moment to recognise the extraordinary insights and leadership they’ve brought to the table and to recommit to championing their voices at every level of the care system.”
Over the past year, care workers involved in the projects have spoken at policy roundtables, co-produced Professional Care Workers’ Week 2025, and contributed to key campaigns and reports. Hannah Reseigh-Lincoln, a member of the Advisory Board and Champions Project, addressed the reception, emphasising the importance of amplifying care workers’ lived experiences in driving sector reform.
The reception also served to build momentum for the final days of Professional Care Workers’ Week 2025, which runs until Friday 19th September. The week features virtual panels, fundraising initiatives and a national call to action for employers, policymakers and the public to improve conditions across the care sector.
The week concludes with Wear It Orange Day on Friday 19th September, encouraging individuals, organisations and care providers across the UK to wear orange in solidarity with care workers whilst raising funds for The Care Workers’ Charity.
The reception received additional support from sponsors LDC Care, Prosperity Care & Wellbeing, and Cornerstone, demonstrating continued sector commitment to putting care workers at the heart of reform efforts.
