Representatives from Right at Home GF recently joined care providers from all over the UK for a peaceful demonstration at the palace of Westminster.

Thousands came together to take part in the protest march aimed at highlighting to the government how changes in employer national insurance contributions and the increase in the national minimum wage will have an impact on social care providers.

Figures released by the Nuffield Trust suggest that the 18,000 independent organisations providing adult social care in England are facing increased costs in the next financial year totalling an estimated £2.8 billion.

Alastair Shanks - managing director of Right at Home GF, which covers Farnham - said: “Social care providers play a really important role in supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society. By being there to bridge the gap and provide additional support, we help people live independently at home for longer, which helps to ease some of the pressures on public health services.

“As a sector, social care contributes £68.1 billion annually to the UK economy through service delivery, employment and spending. This is a major contribution and is why my colleagues were inspired to unite with other social care providers in pushing for meaningful change and fairer funding for the sector.”

Liz Young, Right at Home GF’s marketing and recruitment manager, took part in the march. She said: “This was a monumental day for the social care sector which saw people join from all areas of health and social care, highlighting the incredible work that is vital in our communities.

“Standing outside the Houses of Parliament and being joined by these incredible people who all want to ‘Save Social Care’ was a very proud moment. Only time will tell if we made a difference, but in the meantime we will continue to do what we can to highlight the contribution we make to the well-being of our communities and the nation’s economy.”