Harry’s Pledge: Social housing’s commitment to carers
Grand Union is proud to get behind Harry’s Pledge, a united national commitment to support, recognise and champion carers.
Across the country social housing providers like us are looking to commit to four pledges:
- Being supportive employers to people that have caring responsibilities
- Making offices and community spaces as accessible as possible
- Building more fully-accessible homes
- Further professionalising and promoting care as a career, and lobbying for changes in pay and rewards for carers.
Launched this week to tie in with National Carers Week, Harry’s Pledge is named in honour of Harry Charlesworth, a lively five-year-old whose birth disability of quadriplegic cerebral palsy means he has deep caring needs.
His grandmother is Julie Doyle, the chief executive of Longhurst Group, a fellow housing association based in the Midlands and East of England. She and Harry’s family were determined that the focus on the difference made by carers during the coronavirus pandemic should not be lost.
Aileen Evans, Grand Union’s Chief Executive and president of the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH), said: “Carers up and down the country do tremendous work every day, supporting loved ones or vulnerable individuals whenever they can.
“But it is important that across the sector, we do what we can to also care for our carers, to recognise their commitment and always ensure they have the support they need. That’s why Harry’s Pledge is so important.”
Harry’s Pledge is a unified approach from Carers UK, together with CIH, National Housing Federation and PlaceShapers.
National Carers Week runs from Monday 8 June until Sunday 14 June. Helen Walkers, CEO of Carers UK, said: “Carers UK fully supports Harry’s Pledge to support paid and unpaid carers in the housing sector.
“We know how vital support provided by family and friends is to those who are disabled, ill or growing frail. Our Carers Week theme is making caring visible, this initiative does just that.”
Find out more about Harry’s Pledge at www.harrys-pledge.org.uk