Winchester-based charity, The Brendoncare Foundation, which runs care homes, extra care housing and community services for people in later life, is giving a pay increase to its 700 colleagues to help them with the current cost of living crisis.

From this month (November), Brendoncare’s colleagues are receiving pay rises of between two per cent and four per cent, depending on their current salary scales.  

Colleagues working at care homes are now also entitled to receive a free meal – either a hot or packed lunch-style meal each time they work, regardless of their role or length of shift.

Among the other benefits Brendoncare provides to its colleagues is membership to the Blue Light Card, which gives access to more than 15,000 discounts for people working in the care industry.

Aileen Ohlson, Brendoncare’s Director of People and Culture, says:

“We have been looking at ways to support our colleagues this winter and as part of that, I’m delighted we have been able to pull forward a pay review along with continuing to review our pay rates as normal in the spring. 

“We want everyone who works at Brendoncare to feel valued and fairly rewarded: I hope this, along with looking at how we enhance other benefits such as providing a free meal to everyone working in our care homes whilst at work goes some way to supporting everyone this winter. 

“We will continue to work on how we introduce more benefits and how we support everyone to be able to develop and value being part of the Brendoncare community.”

Further details about Brendoncare and its current vacancies can be found on the charity’s website, www.brendoncare.org.uk or by telephoning 01962 852133.