Solihull Council invites care workers to apply for new hardship fund

Solihull Council has set up a special fund to support care workers who are experiencing financial hardship during the Covid-19 crisis.

The fund, administered by The Care Workers’ Charity, will offer grants to care workers employed in care and support services in the borough who have lost income and face hardship through self-isolation or illness. These could be workers providing care to people in their own homes or in a Solihull care home. The grants related to self-isolation will be between £500 (2 weeks of self-isolation) and £1,000 (12 weeks of shielding), with up to £1,000 for other unexpected costs and £2,000 for funeral expenses.

Cllr Karen Grinsell, Deputy Leader of Solihull Council and Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care, said: “At this challenging time for so many people, I am pleased that we are able to provide some financial support for people working on the frontline to support our most vulnerable residents.
“This fund is a recognition that many care workers have been hard hit financially during the coronavirus pandemic. In some cases care workers have been unable to work because they are self-isolating at home. Or they might need money either to replace essential appliances like a broken washing machine to make sure they can wash work clothes or sadly to help with the funeral costs of a loved one.

Cllr Grinsell continues: “I’m grateful to the Care Workers’ Charity for ensuring that the grants go directly to the people who need them. We are working on a similar fund to support informal carers in Solihull and will be sharing details of that shortly.”

Executive Director of The Care Workers’ Charity, Karolina Gerlich, says: “Care workers are making many personal sacrifices during this crisis. The need and demand for support is enormous. We are delighted to be working with Solihull Council who are leading the way in setting up this hardship fund. We hope Solihull’s commitment to care workers will encourage other councils to get involved.”

For full details about the fund, who is eligible and how to apply please visit The Care Workers’ Charity website here

Further details:

Applications are welcome from workers who directly provide care or who work within a care setting, and;

• Are in financial hardship during the Covid-19 crisis – either as a result of being without pay during a period of self-isolation, or;
• As a result of a large unexpected cost – e.g. funeral expenses, home appliance failure, or other large unexpected cost;
• And either live or work within the borough of Solihull
• And are not employed by Solihull Council, Solihull Community Housing or the NHS.