Group of 50 faith leaders and Leeds community put on 'visual display' to show care worker support

The Rt Revd Paul Slater, Bishop of Kirkstall and The Revd Lindsey Pearson, Vicar of Beeston were among the group who conducted a ‘socially distanced embrace’ around Sunnyview House in Beeston.

More than 50 members of the community from all faiths circled the Sunnyview House Bupa care home to show a message of support - while urging the government to pay care workers a 'real Living Wage'.

The Bishop and Vicar performed blessings for the care home, while a message from Hilary Benn MP was read out.

The event took place as part of a day of action for the campaign for the real Living Wage.

It was organised after the YEP in May reported that 17 residents at the care home had died after having symptoms of coronavirus.

Leeds Citizens - a local branch of community organising charity Citizens UK - is calling on the government to provide a £1.4 billion cash boost to bring all social care workers up to the real Living Wage of £9.30 across the UK and £10.75 in London.

The Rt Revd Paul Slater, Bishop of Kirkstall (Area Bishop for the City of Leeds) said the city has appreciated the ‘invaluable role’ that social care workers have played in looking after the vulnerable members of Leeds.

The Rt Revd said: “The very least we can do is to ensure that their patience, love and care is rewarded properly, so care workers no longer live in poverty.

“It’s time for the government to step in and guarantee that all care workers are paid at least the real Living Wage.”

The Revd Lindsey Pearson, Vicar of Beeston said the event was a way of showing thanks to not just the care workers at Sunnyview, but also all people working in nursing, residential and domiciliary care.

The Revd said: ““This action is a way of showing our thanks for care workers at Sunnyview and all people who work in nursing, residential and domiciliary care.

“They represent the very best of our community. It is heart-warming to see the community come together to show our appreciation for a sector that has been undervalued for far too long.

“Let’s now ensure that our wonderful care workers get the real Living Wage and all the support they need to thrive in their important vocation.”

Gifts were presented to care worker staff by Rev Fr Timothy Whitwell of St Anthony's Catholic Church, Mahbub Nazir from Abu Huraira Mosque and Cottingley Community Project.

Similar local appreciation events took place outside care homes in Middleton and Armley on Thursday.

The campaign has received backing from the Archbishop of York, the Royal College of Nursing, UNISON and other civic society leaders.