The Value the Caring Economy Alliance believes that caring is undervalued in society, and they are taking action to raise awareness about this issue. They recently painted a mural on a wall in Bristol that invited residents to add their handprints in solidarity. Claire Charras, the Alliance’s communications officer, highlighted the decreasing wages of care workers, particularly affecting women who often bear the brunt of caring responsibilities, impacting their ability to work or pursue full-time employment.
According to statistics, the average pay for care workers in Bristol has been decreasing by 9.1% annually, compared to a 5.0% national average decrease. Research from the TUC shows that the majority of care workers in England earn less than £15 per hour. Despite providing an essential service, the economic contribution of carers often goes unrecognized by society.
The Value the Caring Economy Alliance aims to change this by advocating for a more compassionate economy. By painting the mural and involving the community in the project, they hope to spark conversations about the value of care and encourage people to consider their local councillors’ stance on care issues in the upcoming elections. The project received support from The People’s Republic of Stokes Croft, which aims to bring attention to the plight of care workers and the need for change in how caring is valued in society.
