Carers thanked with Wight Gift Cards

Published: 12 April 2022

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The Wight Gift Card scheme was launched by the Isle of Wight Council in 2020, and was chosen as the best way to get money directly to local carers. With over £850,000 in rewards given to carers over the next few weeks, this gesture of gratitude will also provide much-needed support for Island shops and other firms recovering from two years of COVID-19 restrictions.

The funding for this scheme has come from the government's Recruitment and Retention Workforce Grant, which can only be spent on supporting the local social care workforce.

 

Councillor Lora Peacey-Wilcox explained: "Over the last two years, we all know that many care staff have worked with extraordinary dedication, often in very difficult and challenging conditions, to give their clients the care, dignity and support that they need.

"The pandemic has hit the care sector hard, and just at the time when we need these skilled and dedicated staff the most, there has been a care staffing challenge across the country, including here on the Isle of Wight.

"It is with gratitude that we will be passing this part of the government's Recruitment and Retention Workforce Grant directly on to those hard-working care staff, to thank them for their work, dedication and loyalty through the challenging times faced by the social care sector”.

 

Councillor Julie Jones-Evans added: "I like to think of the Wight Gift Card as our own currency, helping to keep the spend on the island which supports local jobs, businesses and services.

"Choosing the Wight Gift Card for our dedicated care and support workers is a good way of enhancing the value of their well-deserved bonus.

"If your business wants to accept the Wight Gift Card it is really easy, email wightgiftcard@iow.gov.uk to get started.

"Using a gift card is even easier, it works like a debit card in store or online.

"I hope that Isle of Wight care workers will find this gesture a helpful one, and a meaningful way for the Island community to say thank you for their vital work."

 

An Isle of Wight Council spokesman said : "Local care and support workers employed in Care Quality Commission (CQC) registered services over last winter will be eligible for a £250 Wight Gift Card from the Isle of Wight Council.

"Regrettably due to the funding conditions imposed by central government we cannot extend this offer to non-CQC registered provision or to informal care and support workers.

"For those who are eligible there's no need to apply - cards will be given out over the next few weeks to everyone who qualifies for them.

"We'd like to acknowledge all those who have supported and cared for those most vulnerable people within our community, and to recognise and thank those people who continue to provide unpaid support for their families and loved ones." 

 

 

The council will be providing 3419 Wight Gift Cards at £250 each for 3142 independent provider staff and 277 internal council caring staff, who have worked over the winter period.

The Wight Gift Card, run by the Isle of Wight Council and sponsored by WightFibre, works like a local currency, with each gift card a pre-paid Mastercard that can be redeemed at over 100 registered businesses on the Isle of Wight, in stores and for online purchases too. Anyone can buy the card as a gift, and know that with a Wight Gift Card their recipient can choose their own selection from many of the Isle of Wight’s best-known brands and producers, right across the Island.















To see a list of participating retailers: http://wightgiftcard.co.uk/