Hertfordshire Good Care Month is an annual campaign that primarily gives social care staff the recognition they deserve - and in light of the pandemic, this year's initiative was that more poignant.

Organised by the Hertfordshire Care Providers Association (HCPA), the campaign - running throughout July - was a timely celebration that reflected the sector's tireless commitment to meeting the unprecedented demands set out by the novel coronavirus - and for the third consecutive year, B&M Care supported the initiative with all of our homes, including those outside of the county, taking part.

From dedicated days and a fashion show, to simply standing beside those who we've supported throughout the challenging climate, each of our homes used the campaign to continue celebrating our staff’s courage, resilience and commitment to relentlessly supporting the group through exceptional circumstances, and ultimately promote social care as a necessary leading part in the recovery and stability of a post-Covid community.

“Hertfordshire Good Care Month could not have come at a better time! Another opportunity to pay tribute to not only staff, but a sector that has adapted at pace to support those in our care,” said B&M Care’s Head of Operations, Nicky Cahill.

She continued: “Our staff have continued to come together and pull through, inspiring positive change at the frontline – it’s something, as a group, to be extremely proud of. Each and every one of them is exceptional.”

Another facet of the campaign is HCPA’s Good Care Recruitment Service which is delivered in partnership with Hertfordshire County Council. In Hertfordshire alone, the need for paid care staff now exceeds over 5,000 a year, and what HCPA provides is an additional source of recruitment – including advertising and value-based screening – that, in line with the Good Care Month initiative, inspires candidates to look at care in a different way and consider a career within the sector.

“Recruitment and retention is such a large focus for any organisation, and taking into account the coronavirus, now is a great opportunity to drive as much interest to the keyworker sectors, including care and hospitality,” said B&M Care’s Head of HR, Emma Norris.

For more information about the Hertfordshire Care Providers Association, please visit: www.hcpa.info/.