Cash Prizes and Personal Touches to Thank Home Carers

Operating across Cumbria, including Eden, Keswick, and Carlisle, the provider has launched a monthly digital prize draw for carers who pick up extra visits outside of their rota. Each additional visit earns a ticket, with four prizes drawn every month: £300 for first place, £50 for second, and two £25 awards.

In April, Abi Robinson from the Appleby team won both first and second place, receiving £350 in cash and a Ninja Air fryer. “It was such a lovely surprise,” she said. “I really enjoy the work I do, and it’s lovely to be appreciated in this way.”

But the recognition doesn’t stop there. Every two weeks, Eden Country Care hosts Facebook Live sessions to publicly thank staff and deliver bespoke gifts from handmade treat boxes to comfort items tailored to individual preferences. Surprise doorstep deliveries happen regularly too, recognising those who step in at short notice or go above and beyond.

“We know how much our carers give emotionally, physically, and personally,” said Colette Russell, Registered Manager.

“Responding to last-minute calls, covering rural areas, supporting vulnerable people, it’s demanding work. These prizes are our way of saying a heartfelt thank you, and of reminding our team that we see them, we value them, and we’re behind them.”

The initiative has helped boost morale and team connection, two priorities many providers are grappling with as recruitment and retention challenges persist across the sector.

While the financial rewards are appreciated, it’s the personal touches that staff mention most. “It’s about knowing someone noticed,” one carer commented during a recent live stream. “That means a lot.”

Eden Country Care hopes that by sharing its approach, it can inspire other providers to explore low-cost, high-impact ways to celebrate their teams and shine a light on the human side of home care.