A new research report from one of Europe’s leading workwear specialists, alsico, explores the day-to-day experiences of care workers across the UK and presents practical, achievable recommendations to further strengthen workforce support, from workplace adjustments to improvements in uniform design.
Developed in partnership with Care England, the new report, ‘Enhancing team support in UK care homes: a path forward’ aims to bring together new research and sector-wide insights to help care providers enhance wellbeing, motivation and staff retention. To inform the findings, Alsico commissioned a nationwide survey of care home workers, complemented by commentary from several industry experts on approaches trialled and learned best practice.
The survey captured the views of 410 care home workers across the UK, 82% of whom were female, reflecting sector demographics, focusing on physical wellbeing, emotional resilience and experiences relating to menopause. The nationwide insights from the anonymised survey were then discussed with experts at Abbeyfield, Majesticare, National Care Group and HC-One. These organisations were invited to comment based on their experience and leadership within the sector, comparing the results to what they see with their own teams.
Several themes emerged around how organisations can continue to enhance the working environment for their teams:
- Uniform comfort and fit play a significant role in wellbeing and performance, with 58% of respondents saying the fit of their uniform affects how well they can carry out their duties
- Emotional demands remain a key focus area, with half of respondents reporting that the nature of their role has affected their mental health, reinforcing the value of accessible support initiatives
- Menopause awareness and communication present a clear opportunity, as nearly two-thirds (61%) of affected employees felt unsure whether effective workplace adjustments were available to them
Charlotte Clarke, Managing Director at Alsico, commented: “The care sector has long been a priority for us at Alsico. Through our partnerships with care home organisations and ongoing conversations with teams across the country, we’ve seen firsthand both the dedication of the workforce and the pressures they face. We commissioned this research to help decision-makers access clear, actionable insight. What remained clear throughout this project was the sector’s determination to improve working experiences for staff, often through small, practical changes that are highly achievable.”
Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, added: “Our latest research project with alsico provides valuable insight into the experiences of care workers across the UK. It reminds us that the strength of our sector lies in its people. As Charlotte said, what stands out is how small but meaningful changes – from better training and wellbeing support to being properly equipped for the job, including uniforms that truly support comfort and confidence – can have a big impact on morale, retention and quality of care. Encouragingly, meaningful improvements don’t always require major investment; listening and taking thoughtful, practical steps can deliver real change.”
Read the full report here: https://www.alsico.com/uk/enhancing-team-support-in-UK-care-homes
Image depicts the ‘Enhancing team support in UK care homes: a path forward’ report.