Natasha Gleed

“Hello, my name is Natasha. I have worked in social care with adults with learning disabilities, mental health problems and dementia.

I have seen first-hand how much we do daily for minimum wage. Yet people who work in supermarkets and stack shelves and even cleaners get paid more than we do. How can that be fair?

We help individuals, promote lifetime skills and work 24/7 365 days a year. We deal with very challenging behaviour too – I have been spat at and physically assaulted.

We still care because we understand it’s not their fault – yet we are paid so little. I really think social care needs massive funding. Pay support workers/carers a fair wage. Especially with the cost-of-living crisis.”