Inspiring Care Stories

We’re celebrating the values and commitment of the social service workforce during COVID-19 by sharing your Inspiring Care Stories.

We’ve collected stories from all types of social services across the whole of Scotland  which show how the workforce has often gone above and beyond to support people receiving care. The stories demonstrate the values, compassion and professionalism of social service workers.

The stories are organised in the six core themes of our Involving People Plan although most link to more than one theme. We encourage you to share your own stories on social media using the hashtags #InspiringCareStories #lifechangingwork and #SSSCregistered. Find out more in our Inspiring Care Stories toolkit.

Me in my role

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Communication, sharing learning and ideas

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Communities, connections and networks

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People and partnerships

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The difference involvement makes and helpful resources

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Planning and helpful resources

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Me in my role

This theme includes stories about people in different roles, values, social care careers, stories of leadership, practice, and involving people.

Coronavirus will not stop me

After a health warning Paul changed his life and began a new career in social services.

In awe of the young people

There's pride in the young people and staff at Caro Salus Northview House School.

Supporting my local community

Dylan from Lossiemouth tells us about his work with children during lockdown.

I've found my vocation

Fiona from Enable at Chapecroft, Stirling shares her feelings about working in social services.

Finding new ways to connect

Kingdom Support and Care Dunfermline find new ways to connect with people using services.

My supervisor, my hero

Care worker Heather Strachan appreciates the support she's received during the pandemic.

The worst and the best of times

Steve of the Thistle Foundation shares his rollercoaster of emtions during lockdown.

Stepping up and learning new skills

Rosalind from Beyond Limits in Dumfries and Galloway stepped out of her usual job into a support role.

Making this time a lot more bearable

How working with vulnerable people at Kingdom Support and Care has made a difficult period more bearable.

Volunteering, working and learning to make a difference to children’s lives

Read how Auchinairn Early Learning and Community Centre is the main hub during COVID-19.

Communication, sharing learning and ideas

This theme includes stories about communication, innovation, creativity and sharing learning and ideas.

Smiles are contagious

Staff at Winnieknow Care Home in Narirn shared two short stories.

Signing music for children

Kirsty from Supporting Positive Paths in Edinburgh keeps in touch with children through music.

We miss you

RAF Lossiemouth Childcare Centre staff send a message to the children they care for.

Lockdown helps Highland charity staff get connected

Sense Scotland staff get up to speed with technology to keep communication going.

Something to enjoy and talk about together

Andrew from Home Instead, Edinburgh talks about using art as a way to connect.

Hello again

Watch this video from St Margarets care home of a song connecting a resident and his daughter during lockdown.

The show must go on

Jamie’s drama group for eight to 12-year-olds is using Zoom to keep rehearsing.

Compassion at Culsh House

How compassion and poetry is helping residents and staff.

Communities, connections and networks

This theme includes stories about community connections and networks.

Keeping in touch and keeping active

Staff at Cameron House, Inverness have used creative ideas for keeping in touch with families.

Continuing day care for people in need

Although Drylaw Rainbow Day Care had to close its doors the work kept going.

Aberdeenshire care home use pedal power during lockdown

Staff at Alastrean Care Home got on their bike to raise money for the residents' comfort fund.

Providing services differently

Positve Steps have adapted to provide a long arm service and support packs.

Showing appreciation to our CAREGivers

The dedicated staff of Home Instead Senior Care Glasgow North get a special thank you.

Taking the day centre to you

Closing the doors didn't mean the work stopped at Oakburn Park Day Care in Milngavie.

Finding new ways to tackle loneliness

During lockdown the little things meant a lot, says Susan of Mears Care in Clackmannanshire.

My experience as a frontline support worker

Bridget shares her lockdown experiences as part of a strong staff team.

Bags full of compassion

Jan from Rossie Young People's Trust, Montrose tells us how the young people have been filling their time.

Events galore keep spirits high at David Walker Gardens

Find out how they’ve been keeping active during the pandemic.

People and partnerships

This theme includes stories about people and partnerships, relationships, teamwork, collaboration.

Don't worry about a thing

Staff at Dorward House, Montrose, made a video for family and friends who were missing visits.

Keeping the community connected

Cosgrove Care expanded to provide extra support in the south of Glasgow.

Honoured to be trusted

Brian of Abbey Court care home in Glasgow is delighted to lead an amazing team.

Overcoming challenges and making the most of opportunities

A Cornerstone supported resident in Moray has risen to the challenge of lockdown.

Life changing diagnosis promotes love and support

Kibble Education and Care Centre share how important news for one young adult led to even more love and support.

A listening ear for parents and carers

Dawn of the Community School of Auchterarder says a sympathetic and listening ear is invaluable.

All in this together

Gail from Edinburgh is proud of the work she and her team do every day.

They deserve the best

John from Elite Care, Fife, says his team go above and beyond.

Care and banter

Keith of Rainbow Care Services in Castle Douglas talks about providing care in people's homes.

Pulling together to provide continuous care

Read how Dumfries and Galloway Health and Social Care Partnership kept on delivering vital services.

Love in the time of corona

Heather from C-Change shares her story about a man and a dog.

A new sense of camaraderie

Coping with the coronavirus restrictions has led to positives for Hame fae Hame nursery.

Tough times don't last, tough teams do

How an Aberdeenshire HSCP team has adapted during COVID.

The difference involvement makes and helpful resources

This theme includes stories of the difference made to the people involved, feedback and helpful resources.

Making positive memories

Karen, manager of Balmore Children's Residential House, shares her pride in the young people and staff.

Looking after the people we care for

Kingdom Support and Care CIC tell us how they continue to care for people in their own homes.

I love making a difference

Watch the video of Laraine from HRM Homecare talking about the joy of a song and a dance.

Supporting residents, families and each other

Rudi from St Ronan's House care home thanks colleagues for their support.

Exceptional fundraising for Shetland care home

Care worker Anita runs a marathon for Edward Thomason and Taing House.

We will walk 500 miles!

Sheltered housing tenants at Port of Leith get walking to boost social activity fund.

Working to make lives better

Annamarie tells us about her challenging and rewarding work with young people.

A very happy man

A room makeover helped brighten the day at Fair Deal in Glasgow.

A beacon of hope

Naomi Brown, a community carer from Edinburgh tells us her COVID story.

Supporting communities

Acknowledging and recognising the kindness, hard work and commitment at the Riverside Centre in East Ayrshire.

Grateful for the thanks

Natalie Kean shares her story about recently joining a company that supports adults with disabilities.

Planning and helpful resources

This theme includes stories about reflection and planning, learning and development, personal and community development and improvement.

Using our new found time to improve

Aileen used her time shielding to learn at home and prepare to return to work.

Celebrating Cornerstone's 40th birthday in lockdown style

Lockdown didn't stop the party by the North Lanarkshire Supported Living branch.

Housing support service goes eco-friendly

Cornerstone’s Wardend team in Moray made the most of lockdown to start a new project.

Working together to support local children

Cornerstone staff in Helensburgh take action to continue supporting children and young people.

An extra special day

Read how Hillcrest residential care home in Girvan made the most of VE Day.

Lockdown life in our sheltered housing

Staff at Port of Leith have risen to the challenges and changes of lockdown.

Keeping our children safe online

respectme have produced resources to help deal with online bullying during the pandemic.

Alzheimer Scotland Stornoway springs into action

Marion tells us how her team of wonderful, dedicated staff and volunteers continued support.

Ensuring quality care and experiences

Sense Scotland in Dundee, take pride in staff providing inclusive, quality care.

Building better relationships

Dee Gemmell, Coulhill Primary Nursery tells us how COVID-19 has changed her days.

Keeping active

Kincarrathie House care home, Perth adapted their activities programme to keep them running.

Other websites by the SSSC

The SSSC has created a number of other websites that provide specific services for learning and statistic reporting.

Workforce Data

As an Official Statistics provider, The SSSC publishes data on the social service workforce in Scotland.

Learning Zone

Develop your skills with resources you can use on your computer, tablet or smartphone.

Step into Leadership

Find resources and information to develop your leadership skills, whatever your role in social services.

Open Badges

Open Badges are digital certificates recognising learning and achievement.