“The pandemic has highlighted more than ever before, the skill and compassion demonstrated by our social service staff across Scotland.” Lorraine Gray

Today, 20th of July, is the launch of  Inspiring Care Stories which tell how the social service workforce has adapted, coped and excelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Over 60 stories have been gathered together from all types of social services across the whole of Scotland which can be read at the online Inspiring Care Stories page.

Compassion and dedication

The stories show the compassion, dedication and selflessness of our social service workers during what has been the most difficult of times.

Scotland’s social service workers quickly adapted to make sure the people they cared for before the COVID-19 pandemic continued to be cared for and supported.

The stories show the commitment of workers and highlight the knowledge, values and skills they have to carry out their jobs.

Jeane Freeman, Cabinet Secretary for Health and Sport said:

‘Social care staff provide vital support to people across the country and they have worked courageously and with compassion to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of those they care for.

‘I’m pleased to be supporting this important campaign. It illustrates, through people’s own experiences, the real impact of the work of social care staff. Their stories demonstrate the importance of the profession as well as the human impact and rewarding nature of a career in social care.’

Over the next few week more stories will be published and if you would like to get involved and share you story here is how you can do it:

• Share a photo, video or a post on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Use the hashtags #lifechangingwork and #SSSCregistered.
• Print the I’m #SSSCregistered, We’re #SSSC registered and #InspiringCareStories posters and share your photo.
•  Share the I’m #SSSCregistered image on your Facebook, Instagram or Twitter accounts.

Click on this link to access the posters: Inspiring Care Stories Materials

SSSC Chief Executive Lorraine Gray said:

‘We’re absolutely delighted to share these wonderful stories, each one showing the skill, care and commitment of our social service workers during COVID-19. Describing the many different aspects of social care and what they mean for our communities is done best when told by real people sharing their experiences.

‘The pandemic has highlighted more than ever before, the skill and compassion demonstrated by our social service staff across Scotland.  These are dedicated people who go the extra mile every day, not just in a crisis and it is essential that we value their skill and commitment and their role along with their health colleagues.

‘Care is not a job that just anyone can do. You need the right values and skills, as shown in these stories. Every one of them really is an Inspiring Care Story and shows how social service workers do life changing work every day.’