Day of Reflection: Honouring Lives Lost, Recognising Care Workers, and Demanding Lasting Change

As we mark the Day of Reflection, we take a moment to remember the thousands of lives lost to COVID-19, including so many people who relied on care – whether in care homes, home care, supported living, or other social care settings – and those who dedicated their lives to caring for others. This day is a solemn reminder of the pain, grief, and sacrifices endured by families, care workers, and communities across the country.

For those working in the care sector, the pandemic was not just a crisis, it was an unrelenting battle. Care workers stood on the frontline, often without the protection, recognition, or support they deserved. Many risked their own health and lives to ensure that those they cared for remained safe. Others endured the heartbreak of being the only ones by the bedside when family members couldn’t be there, offering comfort in the final moments. The courage and compassion shown by the social care workforce during that time must never be forgotten.

But remembrance alone is not enough. Successive governments must acknowledge, understand, and respect social care as the pillar of our nation that it truly is. The pandemic exposed the deep-rooted vulnerabilities of our care system; underfunded, undervalued, and too often overlooked in national decision-making. It is unthinkable that, five years on, many of the same challenges remain.

We cannot allow history to repeat itself. The pressures and pain witnessed during the pandemic must serve as a turning point, not a forgotten chapter. The care sector must be strengthened with proper the right funding and meaningful reform that ensures it is never again left exposed in a time of crisis. Only by making social care a true national priority can we honour the sacrifices made and protect those who rely on care today and in the future.

Professor Martin Green OBE, Chief Executive of Care England, said:

“The Day of Reflection is a moment of collective remembrance; of lives lost, of sacrifices made, and of the extraordinary resilience shown by the care sector. Too many people paid the ultimate price, and too many care workers carried an unbearable weight on their shoulders. We owe it to them to do more than remember; we must act. Social care cannot continue to be an afterthought. It must be recognised as fundamental to the health and wellbeing of our nation. Governments must invest, reform, and support care services so that never again do we see the devastation experienced during the pandemic. This is the only fitting way to honour those we have lost and those who gave everything to protect others.”