Care2Connect, the West Sussex home care provider, has introduced a new staff fund initiative to recognise the extraordinary efforts of its local care teams in responding to the coronavirus crisis.

The fund was set up following a number of Care2Connect customers and their families asking how they could say an extra thank you to staff. Care2Connect has been supporting over 120 older or disabled people in the Worthing area over the past few months, offering a full home care service including regular personal care visits, shopping and medication collection and organisation. With many families unable to visit, or help their loved ones, the team has provided an invaluable service to support the elderly and vulnerable in the local community.

The staff fund has already raised over £3,000, including a donation from Care2Connect of £1,000. It will be shared amongst all Care2Connect care staff when the worst of the crisis is over, with plans to hold a team event to recognise the efforts of all involved.

Colin Young, Chairman of Care2Connect, commented: "We very much appreciate the support our staff have received from the whole community through the "Clap for Carers" tribute, but wanted to do more. We pay our frontline staff as much as we possibly can, but it's still not what we think it should be. 

“We also know how grateful our customers have been for the way staff have continued to support them in these challenging circumstances and we wanted to give them a way of adding their thanks to our own. We intend to use the money for a special event which recognises the incredible work our staff have done and provides something of a positive end to a very difficult period."

Jenny Stewart, the wife of one of Care2Connect's customers, concluded: "The continued support we have had from Care2Connect's dedicated team in these difficult times has been a lifeline. We are so pleased to have the opportunity to show our appreciation of their efforts by contributing to the staff fund."