REBECCA EVANS AM, has helped to recognise the efforts of over 100 volunteer care ambassadors across Wales at a special event held in the Assembly this week

 The campaign to recruit more Care Ambassadors in Wales was given fresh impetus at the event to recognise the efforts of volunteers who play a key role in attracting more people to work in care. The Care Ambassador project was developed to raise the profile of the sector and offer prospective employees an insight into the world of care. There are now more than 100 Care Ambassadors across Wales. Care Ambassadors are also being recruited from early years and childcare practitioners. Recognising the invaluable assistance offered by the Care Ambassadors, Mrs Evans said: “I am more than happy to help recognise the efforts of Care Ambassadors and their employers in raising the profile of the work that they love. The passion and commitment of Care Ambassadors shines through in the work they do to challenge misconceptions about working in the care sector and in seeking to encourage people with the right skills and aptitudes to consider a career in caring.” The Ambassadors are people already working in care, who are passionate about sharing their experiences with others and changing their perceptions about care as a career. With the support of their employers, they go to schools, colleges and job centres to talk about what it is like to work in care. Todate, they have spoken to more than 10,000 people across the country. Led in Wales by the Care Council, and funded by the UK government, the Care Ambassador project has been developed by Social Care in Partnership (SCiP) regional co-ordinators, working closely with Careers Wales and schools and colleges. Care Council Chair, Arwel Ellis Owen, said: “Care Ambassadors play an essential role in attracting good-quality recruits into the care sector. At a time when the number of people needing care is predicted to rise significantly, it is important we have enthusiastic ambassadors who are passionate about the work they do and about sharing the reality of that rewarding experience with as many people as they can around Wales. “While the Care Ambassador project can play a key role in developing a sustainable workforce for the future, it requires a number of parties working in partnership towards a common goal. Particularly important are the employers of the ambassadors. Without their foresight and goodwill, we would not have as many ambassadors in Wales reaching thousands of potential recruits through their presentations and talks. “That is why our main priority going forward is to recruit more employers across Wales, from different parts of care, such as social work and early years, who are prepared to be part of this already successful project, and to supply ambassadors from their workforce,” he added. The Deputy Minister said: “The social care sector is one of the major employers in Wales. There are 70,000 staff delivering care and support for people across Wales every day. This is a varied and dynamic sector incorporating services in the public and independent sectors. Its size and significance is growing and the importance of the social care workforce for the population of Wales cannot be overstated. “I’m delighted to be able to highlight the particular contribution that Care Ambassadors make to promoting social care as a compelling field of work. “There are two principle reasons why care ambassadors are so valuable to what we are working towards in achieving sustainable social services. Firstly, they can help recruit the greater numbers of workers needed by the sector to meet future demand. The second reason that care ambassadors are so valuable is that they boost the public image of social care. I want to boost the esteem in which social care is held in the public eye. This will not only offer fairer recognition for the good work done by social workers and social care workers, but it will also help us to recruit and retain the brightest and the best to the sector.” John Wynne Hughes, Care Ambassador and Service Development Coordinator with Mental Health Care (UK) Ltd, said: “After reading about the aims of the programme, I was very interested and wanted to be a part of it. So far I‘ve spoken at careers events and schools, to hundreds of people, providing information and guidance on health and social care settings, the benefits of working within health and social care, the skills required and how to go about obtaining those skills. I’ve also talked about my own career path and the opportunities that are available. “We must endeavour to attract the best possible group of individuals to work within health and social care to drive standards, nurture innovation and gain experience,” added John.