I recently visited the Old Vicarage Care Home in Otterton, where I had the pleasure of meeting both staff and local people living in the home. With Christmas around the corner, it was wonderful to share some festive cheer while also listening to the experiences of those who work in and rely on our care sector.
The staff were incredibly generous with their time, and they spoke with real clarity about the challenges the sector is facing. With an ageing population, these issues cannot be ignored. We need to do more to create effective, national career pathways for care workers – pathways that encourage new people into the profession and support those who dedicate their lives to caring for others.
Crucially, carers deserve wages that truly reflect the hard work and compassion they bring to their roles every day. The dedication I saw at the Old Vicarage is replicated across care homes in Exmouth and Exeter East, and it is only right that this commitment is properly recognised.
I will be speaking up in Parliament on this matter and pressing for the services and support our community needs. Care must be at the heart of our priorities, and I will continue working to ensure that it is.
