Welcome to Kirsty Meets!
Each month I meet key stakeholders and business leaders in the social care sector. This month I met Hannah Montgomery, Co-Founder at Grace Cares. I caught up with Hannah to discuss sustainability in social care, and supporting local communities.
So Hannah, can you tell us a little bit about Grace Cares?
Grace Cares is a not-for-profit that wants to stop care items needlessly going into landfill, making them available to people for around a third of the price, then using the profits to help care workers, older people and their families nationwide with hardship grants and support the local community with social groups and activities.
Why is sustainability important within social care specifically?
In 2019 the UK became the first major economy to pass the net zero emissions law enabling the government to set a UK commitment to sustainability that has to be met by 2050.
It is evident that the social care sector is a significant contributor to carbon emissions and other forms of environmental impact. Our sector uses large amounts of energy, equipment, and resources to provide care, which can lead to waste and pollution. Think about it, social care activities protect and restore health and save lives BUT what about the impact to health and lives from the waste and by-products we generate?
“Social care activities protect and save lives but what about the impact to health and lives from the waste and by-products we generate?”
What is the state of sustainability within the social care sector at the moment?
Providers I have been talking to are not fully aware of the changes that are around the corner or are overwhelmed by sustainability. With rising costs and environmental changes, we personally and commercially need to be more waste and carbon aware. It’s a company culture change on all levels, which is a scary thought when the sector is trying to carry on post covid, recruitment is still challenging, and we are waiting for the roll out of a new regulatory framework. So how on earth are care providers meant to learn and adapt processes to be more sustainable at the same time?
It is a lot. You can’t make changes too quickly and take your eye off the ball in other areas, it’s all about compound effect: juggling improving and commercial viability.
What does the future of social care sustainability look like?
The government are driving this as they forecast that damage by climate change will cost the UK economy £20 billion by 2050. The CQC frameworks will also be looking at environmental sustainability and sustainable development.
My advice would be to pull together a working group of managers, carers and service users who all have a passion for sustainability and create an initial sustainability and net zero plan.
As a starting point I would recommend exploring: Environmental Compliance, Waste Reduction and Recycling, Energy Conservation, Water Conservation, Sustainable Transport, Green Procurement, Community Engagement and Awareness, Continuous Improvement, Reporting and Accountability. Book in a regular group catch up and action just one point off the plan each time.
By adopting sustainable practices, supporting the workforce, engaging service users, and collaborating, social care providers can work towards a more sustainable, cost effective, higher revenue generating and resilient future.
And finally Hannah, where can we find out a little more about Grace Cares?
There’s loads of information and our sustainable pre-loved care equipment shop on www.grace-cares.com. I have also created a How and Why proposal and information on how to improve sustainability processes that your readers can access by scanning the QR code: