National Work Life Week (12-16 October) is Working Families’ annual campaign to get both employers and employees talking about wellbeing at work and work-life balance. And Cumbrian businesses are being offered support to help care for the carers on the payroll.
Working Families is the UK’s work-life balance charity, with a mission to remove the barriers that people with caring responsibilities face in the workplace. The annual Work-Life Balance week aims to encourage employers to showcase their flexible working policies and practices.
In Cumbria, Carers Support Cumbria organisations are providing training for businesses to support their employees who are also unpaid Carers for a family member which can help them retain valued staff.
Carers Champion Training in the workplace helps organisations raise awareness of the important role unpaid carers undertake. The training, provided by local Carers Support organisations in Cumbria, provides volunteers with the skills to be a Carers Champion – who act as a voice for carers in their workplace or local community.
Angela Longrigg, CEO of West Cumbrian Carers said: “Attendees receive a Certificate of Attendance to say they have completed the training and are recognised as a Carers Champion in the Workplace.
“Due to COVID we have been delivering virtual Carers Champion training over recent months, however we are looking to resume our full training programme now with local employers and the public sector.”
Dani Leslie, CEO of Eden Carers added: “Sue Monroe from Eden Carers and Sue Hogg from West Cumbrian Carers have been actively involved with Cumbria Northumberland Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust on developing the Carer Champion training that the Trust can give to all their staff.”
One-in-nine people in the workplace in Cumbria are also unpaid Carers, though their work colleagues may be unaware and therefore unable to provide the support and understanding that can ease the daily stress and pressure.
Without support 1-in-5 Carers give up work because the job of juggling their work and caring responsibilities simply becomes too much -and it is a lost to their employer.
Carers Champion training helps volunteers to raise awareness and promote understanding of the role of an unpaid Carer.
A Carer Champion is someone aware of the stresses and strains a Carer may be facing. They understand the importance of the role of a Carer and can identify the signs of someone who perhaps, unknowingly, is caring.
Attendees gain an understanding of what it means to be a Carer and some of the issues carers may face. They will also learn how to support people into taking the first step of contacting the Charity when they are ready to do so.
While the training helps provide support for Carers, there are also benefits for companies. Caregivers are often under a great deal of mental, and at times, physical stress from the work they undertake.
It is estimated that 62% of workers believe they don’t know any work colleagues who help look after a loved one.
To find out more about becoming a Carers Champion, or to arrange a training session for your organisations, contact your local Carers Organisation.
You can contact them by emailing or calling their office:
- Carer Support South Lakes, Email: admin@carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk Tel: 01539 815970
- Carlisle Carers Email: admin@carlislecarers.co.uk Tel: 01228 542156
- Eden Carers Email: enquiries@edencarers.co.uk Tel: 01768 890280
- Furness Carers Email: admin@furnesscarers.co.uk Tel: 01229 822822
- West Cumbria Carers Email: general@westcumbriacarers.co.uk, Tel 01900 821976
