About Us
The Virtual Caregivers Network (VCN) is a non-profit platform created for exclusively for Personal Support Workers (PSWs). Personal Support Workers provide vital care for those in need in our communities. Despite their importance, they struggle with low wages, physically and emotionally demanding working conditions, and get little to no acknowledgment of their value as members of our community healthcare team. This places them at high risk of burnout or physical injury, which can drive them away from the profession.
The VCN seeks to support and empower personal support workers by addressing these threats to their health and well-being. We also seek to advance their professional development so they can build confidence and grow specialized knowledge to make them experts in their field.
To accomplish this, we compiled collections of relevant, evidence-based educational resources that include a range of resources and media sources from subject-matter experts and professional organizations. We also included best practice guidelines and practice standards from care professions such as nursing to share relevant knowledge applicable to PSWs. To further foster learning and build a community, we also create You-Tube “in-services”, a blog, and host a forum for personal support workers to provide a designated space to network, share experiences, and gain peer support. Future plans include conferences and online educational seminars.
The VCN belongs to personal support workers! It is a living document meant to continually grow and adapt to ensure personal support workers are given the support they need.
Virtual Care Network: Mission Statement
Our mission is to equip PSWs with the confidence, skills, and knowledge to transform their profession, and with the unity it takes to get them there. The creation of the VCN was guided by the vision to acknowledge and empower a profession that has been underpaid, overlooked, and undervalued by policymakers, healthcare professionals, and the public for long enough. Our mission is to overcome these obstacles by building professionalism and inspiring collaboration between PSWs and with other members of the healthcare team. We seek to accomplish this by building a community that provides a safe space where PSWs can find respect, learning, support and solidarity.
Who we are
We are the Co-operative Care Alliance (CCA) and the Home Care Workers Co-operative (HCWC). We are a collaborative of PSWs, clients, their families, front line healthcare workers, and engaged citizens who seek a revised approach to home care through a not-for-profit, democratic, co-operative model. This approach promises not only a better quality of client care, but a better quality of life to PSWs who can take control of their career path by opening the door to becoming an owner of their own home care co-op. As the population ages and hospital resources dwindle, we understand that the role of PSWs becomes even more important. This means that more than ever, we need to take steps to foster models of home care that provide a path to quality jobs for PSWs. This makes support tools like the VCN even more essential to help to get them there.
Who we Serve. What we Value
Although the focus of our work is the provision of high quality, co-operative home care, we respect and serve all PSWs regardless of their practice settings. We value inclusivity, and honour the background, voice and experience that each PSW brings. We further value the dignity that comes with being recognized and valued for the meaningful work that PSWs do. We also recognize the value of collaboration and the power of sharing knowledge and resources to help gain the professional unity needed to overcome current challenges faced by PSWs including not being supported, or compensated at the level they deserve.
It’s time to care for the PSW who care for us!
