SEVENTY staff members, three health professionals and one dog had their photo taken to publicise Professional Care Workers Day at Bowden Derra Park, Polyphant, recently.

On Professional Care Workers Day, Wednesday, September 4, care providers from across Cornwall took hundreds of photos of their team members using specially designed ‘selfie’ frames that proudly proclaimed ‘I work in care’. These images were shared on social media as part of a celebration of all the dedicated people working the sector.

The tiny gem of an idea to profile some of the ‘faces of care’ started in the spring during discussions between REACH Cornwall and Bowden Derra Park, but quickly grew to include dozens of care providers who also shared this desire to shine a light on their committed workers.

Tina Urquhart and Maria Thorne from Bowden Derra Park, which offers support and care for adults with learning disabilities, wanted to visually document the variety of people who work in care. With recruitment a huge issue for the care sector, they were keen to challenge stereotypes.

Tina said: “People have an idea in their head when you say a care worker, but there are so many different types. It is a job that can suit everybody, and once you are in the profession, people are really proud of what they do.”