No care worker should face violence as part of the job: The Care Workers’ Charity responds to the death of Eleanor Barnfield
The Care Workers’ Charity (The CWC) is devastated to learn of the death of Eleanor Barnfield, a 47-year-old care worker from North Cornelly, who died on Monday 19th October following an incident at the housing complex where she worked.
Eleanor’s family have described her as the kindest, most loving and bravest person in the world, and their rock. Our thoughts are with them, with her friends and colleagues, and with the individuals she supported.
Unfortunately, the failures of safety in the workplace are something care workers know too well already. Our 2025 Wellbeing Survey of over 2,000 care workers found that 24.6% had experienced or witnessed physical violence at work, and 33.42% had experienced or witnessed bullying, harassment or verbal abuse. Many care workers work alone, in people’s homes and in supported and sheltered housing, often without a colleague nearby or a reliable way to call for help.
Members of our Care Worker Advisory Board, speaking about their own experiences across the sector, were clear about what care workers face. They described being sent alone to visits where two people are needed, and raising concerns only to be told nothing can change because there is “no cover”. As one put it: “We are replaceable despite our dedication.” Another asked the question the whole sector should be considering: “Care workers dedicate their lives to looking after others, but who looks after them? Our safety matters too. We deserve to go to work and return home safely.” This echoes what care workers told us at our recent Inclusive Care, Better Futures roundtable held in August 2026. Around three quarters of those in the room had experienced harassment or abuse at work. Members described abuse being treated as “part of the job”, with incidents written down but rarely acted on. As one care worker put it: “There’s no accountability whatsoever… it’s normalised, something to be expected.”
Care workers are skilled professionals who hold our care system together, often out of sight. Violence and abuse must never be accepted as part of their working day.
Karolina Gerlich, CEO of The Care Workers’ Charity, said:
“Every care worker deserves to finish their shift and go home safely to the people they love. Eleanor did not get that chance, and our hearts are with her family and everyone who knew her. Care workers have told us for years that they too often feel unsafe at work, and that when they speak up, too little changes. That cannot continue.”
NOTES TO EDITORS
Interviews available:
- Karolina Gerlich, Chief Executive of The Care Workers’ Charity — available for TV, radio and print interviews. Karolina is a former care worker, regularly briefs MPs and government on social care workforce policy, and has been quoted in national media including BBC News, the Guardian and the Times.
- Care workers with experience of the sector — CWC can connect journalists with care workers willing to speak on the record about pay, working conditions, and reliance on the charity’s hardship grants. Case studies available on request.
About The Care Workers’ Charity (CWC) The Care Workers’ Charity is the only UK charity dedicated to supporting paid care workers across the social care sector. We have provided over £7 million in crisis grants to over 14,000 care workers. We offer mental well-being support to care workers, ensuring they receive assistance during challenging times. The CWC also advocates for policy changes to improve lives and working conditions in the UK. We participate in government roundtables, academic forums, and policy discussions, sharing insights from our grant applicants’ experiences. To learn more about our mission and initiatives, visit www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk.
Registered charity no. 1207208 (England and Wales) and SC055526 (Scotland.) Registered office: Rushworth Studios, 2 Rushworth Street, London, SE1 0RB.
www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk
Broadcast-ready clips, b-roll, photography and care worker case studies available on request.
Media contact: Shanna Wells | shanna@thecwc.org.uk | 07930 992443