A care home director is calling for more recognition for social care staff working throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Tayvanie Nagendran, who works at Cambridge Nursing Home in Wanstead, East London says she wants workers in the sector to be more acknowledged by the Government for their efforts especially during the crisis.

Ms Nagendran has already shown her appreciation in an open letter to the community for their kind gifts and donations.

She said: "Nationally we have a department for both health and social care. One part of the department can’t work without the other.

"Locally, the community support that we have received has been amazing. We get gifts and donations and it’s great to know people are thinking of us.

"There is a lot that can be done by individuals in society. You can reach out to people, there must be somebody you know who is vulnerable or who works in social care and you can check on to see if they’re okay.

"It’s great because it makes our team feel as if they’ve not been forgotten, especially in the early days when it was an unprecedented mayhem.”

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Cambridge Nursing Home in Wanstead. Credit: Tayvanie Nagendran

Some of the gifts that have been dropped off to residents and staff includes cards, essential items such as bread, masks and luxury items such as chocolates.

She added: “There is no denying that being away from your loved ones is not great. The increase of technology has helped such as telephoning, video calls, Whatsapp video calls, Skype as well as tablets.

"We’ve had a combination of luxury items as well as equipment. It’s the fact that someone else has thought about you.

"We had a sewing group who have sewn us scrubs and ear savers for staff wearing masks all day . We’ve had masks donated for staff to wear for public transport in London because they don’t drive.”

Ms Nagendran, who is also an I Care ambassador for Skills for Care says the sector can receive recognition by encouraging young people and new entrants to consider a career in the sector.

She said: “We want to encourage people to work in the sector and also make people feel comfortable to come into a care home again.

“It’s about talking to families and telling them it’s a rewarding sector that you can be proud to work in.

"We have got senior carers who have been thriving in their position for 20 years or more. It is not an afterthought.

East London and West Essex Guardian Series:

Tayvanie Nagendran director of Cambridge Nursing Home in Wanstead. Credit: Tayvanie Nagendran

"Working in the sector literally changes lives. Every day you make an impact on individuals lives through the care and support you give.

"Working in social care gives you the opportunity to build meaningful relationships over time and to become part of someone else’s life story.

"It should be a career that you want to be a part of so children actually saying they want to work that industry.

"There are many other positions you can have within the sector.

"We want to educate and show young people the joy and benefits that we have to offer. You can list numerous different job roles you can have in different types of settings, all within the sector.

"There is longevity of your career in social care."

For more information go to https://www.skillsforcare.org.uk/Recruitment-retention/I-Care...Ambassadors/I-Care...Ambassadors.aspx.