Winter is a season of joy and celebration for many, with festivities like Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve bringing families and friends together. However, for many unpaid carers, this period can be particularly challenging. The combination of financial pressures, emotional strain, and the demands of caring can make it difficult to fully participate in the season’s cheer.

Financial Pressures

Winter often brings increased expenses, from higher heating bills to the costs associated with holiday celebrations. For unpaid carers, who may already be struggling financially, these additional costs can be overwhelming. Reseach shows many carers cover the costs of care out of their own pockets, which can average around £7,200 annually – you can read more about this and other updates published by Carers UK last month here : Carers Rights Day report: Valuing Carers

There are several forms of financial support available, that can help, check if your eligible. 

• Warm Home Discount Scheme: A one-off payment of £150 to help with energy bills Warm Home Discount Scheme: Overview – GOV.UK

• Cold Weather Payments: Payments made during periods of very cold weather.Cold Weather Payment: Overview – GOV.UK

• Winter Fuel Payments: Annual payments to help with heating costs. Winter Fuel Payment: Overview – GOV.UK

• Household Support Fund: Local councils can provide support for essential costs Get help with the cost of living from your local council – GOV.UK

Emotional Strain and Bereavement

The festive season can also be a poignant reminder of loved ones who have passed away. Celebrating without someone you cared for can bring up feelings of grief and loneliness. It’s important to acknowledge these feelings and seek support when needed. Bereavement milestones, such as the first holiday season without a loved one, can be particularly tough.

For bereavement support, you may find these sites helpful :

• Cruse Bereavement Care: Offers support for children, young people, and adults when someone dies. They provide face-to-face, telephone, email, and website support Home – Cruse Bereavement Support

• Samaritans: Provides confidential support for anyone in distress If you’re having a difficult time | Samaritans

• Help for Heroes: Supporting Veterans and their families  Home Page – Help For Heroes

Celebrating with Someone Who is Ill or in Hospital

For Carers looking after someone who is ill or in hospital, the festive season can be a time of mixed emotions. While others are celebrating, Carers may be dealing with the realities of illness and hospital visits. If possible, find ways for yourself and the person you’re caring for to take part in these celebrations, even if it’s in a small way. Great Ormond Street hospital has some suggestions: Top tips for your stay at hospital this festive season | Great Ormond Street Hospital

Staying Connected

Isolation can be a significant issue, especially during the winter months. Staying connected with others who understand your situation can provide much-needed support. Forward Carers offers online “Kissing it Better” Zoom groups, which are free social sessions for Carers. These sessions provide an opportunity to connect, share experiences, and find support from fellow Carers. They are held every Monday and Friday at 10:30 am and Thursday at 5pm.

Whether you are celebrating or managing a difficult moment, we wish you a safe and nurturing winter break with those you care about and care for.

Welcome to your July Dorset Newsletter.

Summer is officially here, and so far there’s been plenty of sunshine. Long may it continue!

Our Wellbeing Directory discounts this month focus on days out, holidays and getting out and about, in case you get the chance to.  

For working Carers, there’s an opportunity for you to have your say as the Government launch a new consultation on employment rights for unpaid Carers. We’ll be explaining more and showing you how you can get involved. 

We’re also thrilled to announce the launch of our brand-new podcast, Carer Friendly Conversations, where we’ll be shining a light on the reality of being an unpaid Carer.  

Read on to find out more!

Featured Business:

The Running Duck Cafe: Receive 10% Off

Community and country style cafe in the heart of Blandford Forum. Home-cooked food and freshly baked cakes. Gluten-free and vegan menus available.  

Carers are welcome to eat their own food in the cafe if their cared-for are buying something. 

There is an accessible ramp and plenty of space in-between tables. Everybody is different and everybody is welcome. 

Open Monday to Saturday 9-4pm 

The Running Duck Cafe, 30A Salisbury Street, Blandford Forum, DT11 7AR 

Telephone: 07800 746219 

Facebook: The Running Duck Cafe – Blandford | Blandford Forum | Facebook 

Have Your Say: Government Consultation on Carer’s Rights at Work 

The Government has launched a new consultation on employment rights for unpaid Carers and they want to hear from you. 

It’s asking about the real challenges of balancing paid work with caring and includes a proposal for a statutory right to paid Carer’s Leave. Your input could help shape future policy. 

The consultation, covering England, Wales and Scotland, is open until 1st September 2026, and takes just a few minutes. There are three ways you can respond: 

Email your response to: unpaidcarers@businessandtrade.gov.uk  

Write to: Unpaid Carers Policy Team, Employment Rights Directorate, Department for Business and Trade, Old Admiralty Building, Admiralty Place, London SW1A 2DY 

Feel free to take part if you can and share with anyone you know who might also want a say. Full details can be found here at gov.uk. 

Our New Podcast: Carer Friendly Conversations  

We’ve launched a podcast and we’re really looking forward to sharing some inspiring stories from Carers in our community.  

In the UK alone, there are around six million unpaid Carers supporting loved ones, often while balancing work, family and everything in between. Our podcast takes you inside these experiences, through honest conversations, powerful stories and practical insights. 

Hear from Neil Joesbury in our first episode, talking about Caring, co-Caring and the importance of LGBTQ+ representation. 

We speak about his inspiring journey as a family Carer, his involvement in community support and the importance of inclusivity when it comes to unpaid Carers.  

Free Tech Help for Carers from AbilityNet 

Are you struggling with a glitchy laptop, a printer that won’t connect, or confusing smartphone settings?  

Good news! There is help out there and it is FREE. AbilityNet offers a range of completely free tech support services for unpaid Carers and the people they care for, including: 

• Free volunteer tech support – at home, by phone or online (call 0300 180 0028) 

• Free factsheets on assistive technology, including Easy Read versions 

• Funding advice for adapted computer equipment 

• Free webinars on sight loss, hearing loss, dementia and more 

• Smart tech tips for the home 

• My Computer My Way – a free tool to unlock helpful accessibility settings on phones, tablets and computers 

Upcoming Forward Carers

Feeling recognised as a Carer can be an important first step towards accessing support, information and opportunities that make caring easier. 

The Dorset Carers Card Service is provided by Forward Carers and funded by Dorset Council and BCP Council, for Carers registered with the local commissioned Carers’ services. Through our service, unpaid Carers can access a Carer Friendly ID Card that helps them feel recognised in their caring role and connect with a growing range of discounts, offers and support. 

Our Impact Review 2025 highlights the progress made through the Dorset Carers Card Service over the past three years and the difference it has made for Carers across Dorset. 

What does the review tell us about Dorset? 

Over the past three years: 

• 4,078 Carers have taken up a Carer Friendly ID Card  

• 488 discounted offers have been secured  

• 443 organisations are recognised as Carer Friendly spaces  

• Awareness has been raised with 784 businesses  

• More than 1,000 Carers and 300 professionals have been engaged  

• 48 community groups have joined the network  

• 3,600 Carers receive Carers Journey resources  

• 51 Carer Friendly health awards to GPs in partnership with Dorset Healthcare University Trust 

Together, these figures demonstrate the scale of activity taking place across Dorset to ensure Carers feel recognised, informed and connected to support. 

Recognition and Carer Friendly Communities 

Many Carers do not immediately identify themselves as Carers and may be unaware of the support available to them. 

The Dorset Carers Card Service helps address this by raising awareness of caring, encouraging organisations to become more Carer Friendly and creating visible recognition of the role Carers play. The Card also provides access to discounts, offers and information that can help make day-to-day life a little easier. 

One Carer who attended a Discovery Session said: 

“I am so glad I came today. There is so much more available than people know. Thank you for all you do. Carers need this.” 

The approach has also gained national recognition. In 2024, the service was recognised by ADASS as an example of Great Practice in Carer support and included within the national Supporting Carers Hub. 

Part of a Wider Picture 

While this article focuses on the Dorset Carers Card Service, it forms part of Forward Carers’ wider network of support for Carers across the West Midlands and South West. 

The Impact Review provides an opportunity to explore both the local impact of the Dorset Carers Card Service and the wider contribution that Carer support makes across communities. 

Thank You 

Thank you to the Carers, partners, businesses, community organisations, commissioners and funders who have contributed to building a more Carer Friendly Dorset. 

Read the Impact Review 

Whether you’re a Carer, a partner organisation, a commissioner or simply interested in supporting unpaid Carers, we invite you to explore the full Impact Review and learn more about the difference being made across Dorset and the wider Forward Carers network. 

June is a big month for us at Forward Carers, simply because, from 8^th to 14^th June it was Carers Week!  

This is a great opportunity for us to get out and about to various events, organised to honour and support unpaid Carers. 

This year’s theme was ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’, something we are always working towards. 

We’ll explain more about this further on but before we do, we just want to wish you a happy June and we hope you managed to access some of the great Carer events and activities put on as part of this very important week.  

Read on for your local and national discounts, upcoming activities, and some snaps from Carers Week!

‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’: Another Successful Carers Week! 

We try to get to as many events as possible during Carers Week, giving us the chance to meet with as many unpaid Carers as possible. 

This year we’ve been to partnership events, Carers groups and our own Forward Carers events. It’s been brilliant!  

Scroll through some of our pictures below to check out more!

What is a Carer Friendly Community

Our 2026 Carers Week theme, Building Carer Friendly Communities, is all about how these communities can make a real and lasting difference to Carers’ lives. This is about recognising and supporting the 5.8 million people in the UK who care for family members, friends or neighbours who are ill, older or disabled.  

We are actively encouraging communities, workplaces, schools, faith groups, healthcare facilities and local organisations to make an effort to create an environment that values and supports you. 

The idea is that a Carer friendly community is a place or organisation that recognises Carers, listens to what they need and provides practical support so that they are not left to cope alone.  

Examples include: 

• Flexible working arrangements  
• Accessible community spaces  
• Culturally sensitive support 
• Initiatives in education, healthcare and local businesses  

The campaign emphasises that when communities take action, they can positively impact the health, wellbeing, financial security and relationships of Carers. 

A lot of work is going on behind the scenes to push this theme forwards and by continuing to raise awareness, provide support and take action in the community we hope to make everywhere a far more friendly place for Carers.  

If you want to find out more about why we need Carer friendly communities and how we can build them together, have a read here on the Carers Week website. 

What’s on in June

Carers Week might be over for this year but there are still plenty of things going on in Dorset. 

If you don’t know about it already, the Kissing it Better Calendar is a great place to find out what is happening near you.  

Check out their calendar below for any activities which catch your eye!

Dementia Action Week is a time to raise awareness of the experiences of people affected by dementia. This year, it takes place from 18 to 24 May.

Held each year across the UK, the week brings together charities, health services, community organisations and local partners to raise awareness, challenge stigma and encourage people to take action.

Caring for someone with dementia can be emotionally and physically demanding. It can often lead to isolation, stress and a decline in mental health and wellbeing.

This Dementia Action Week, we are encouraging Carers to look after themselves too. This includes learning what support is available, finding ways to reduce the impact of caring on their own lives, and recognising the importance of sharing their experiences.

Dementia Carer Support in Action: Adam and Neil’s Story

Adam and Neil Joesbury are brothers who live in Birmingham with their dad Bob. 

In 2017 Bob had a bleed on the brain. Bob was referred to a memory clinic and discovered that he’d also had two mini-strokes and was later diagnosed with vascular dementia. 

To help Adam try and understand what dementia is and how best to look after Bob, Neil took his brother to some dementia Carer support groups. 

Adam, who has a learning disability, struggled with these support groups and found them boring. With the help of a dementia advisor from the Alzheimer’s Society, she devised some practical sessions tailored for Adam to explain what dementia is in a visual way and they’ve really helped him.

Adam said, “First my learning disability wouldn’t let me understand dementia. But doing it with pictures makes it easier. And I like drawing to understand when people are talking to me.”

With this support, Adam and Bob can be independent while Neil is at work. Adam takes his dad shopping and cooks for him. When Bob is at the dementia café, Neil and Adam can enjoy some time together and have a bit of respite. It’s a real team effort and they all look out for each other.

Support from the Community

Neil’s workplace (M&S) is very understanding and allows Neil to have his phone with him on the shop floor, this way, Adam can call him if he’s having a bad day.

As well as a supportive workplace, Neil, Adam and Bob are well-known in their area and are lucky to live in a community where people look out for them.

“We can’t go anywhere,” Adam said, “because someone will recognise Neil and he stands there for half an hour talking!’

Bob went out one day to the cashpoint he usually uses but finding it broken, he went to a different one and got lost. Local businesses know about Bob’s dementia and luckily for him, staff in Iceland knew where he lived and pointed him in the right direction. Although, Bob wears a GPS tracker to give Neil peace of mind while he’s at work, knowing that local shops, pubs and cafés know where they all live is reassuring should Bob ever get lost or Adam needs any help.

Adam and Neil would like people to be more patient and helpful, as they say this makes a huge difference to them. 

Read more about their story below, and how you can find support in your role as a Dementia Carer.

What’s On

Check out the events you can get involved in this Dementia Action Week and beyond to see how you can feel healthier and happier in your role as a Dementia Carer.

Welcome to your April newsletter! This month, we’re highlighting the variety of local and national discounts you can receive as a Carer in Dorset, as well as some of the local Carer Cafes and Support Groups you can get involved with!

We hope you enjoy!

Why you should join a Carer Café or Support group

Attending Carer Support Groups or Cafés can make a big difference if you’re looking after someone. They’re not just about talking—they offer emotional, practical, and even health benefits.

They run throughout the month in various locations around the county, making them accessible and flexible. You don’t have to attend every one, just when you feel it would be helpful. 

Of course, Support Groups and Cafés are not for everybody, and there is plenty more support available to you if this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea. 

However, for many, attending these groups brings huge benefits which can help you grow in feel happier and more confident in your Caring role.

Read more information about groups near you below.

Upcoming Forward Carers sessions

Join our upcoming learning sessions designed to support you in your Caring role.

Check out what’s on below, and make sure to book your place!

Forward Carers Awards Employer Commitment Mark to Leonardo Carer Support Dorset

Forward Carers is proud to award its Employer Commitment Mark to Leonardo Carer Support – Dorset in recognition of the organisation’s outstanding commitment to supporting employees with caring responsibilities.

Going beyond statutory requirements, Leonardo Carer Support Dorset has introduced a comprehensive paid Carers Leave policy for staff, demonstrating a clear and meaningful commitment to helping working Carers balance their professional and personal lives.

Attending Carer Support Groups or Cafés can make a big difference if you’re looking after someone. They’re not just about talking—they offer emotional, practical, and even health benefits.

They run throughout the month in various locations around the county, making them accessible and flexible. You don’t have to attend every one, just when you feel it would be helpful.

Of course, Support Groups and Cafés are not for everybody, and there is plenty more support available to you if this doesn’t sound like your cup of tea.

However, for many, attending these groups brings huge benefits which can help you grow in feel happier and more confident in your Caring role.

What’s on in Dorset

Carers groups meet at different times, and you don’t have to attend every meeting.

We’ve compiled a list of organisations and contact details for places which provide Support Groups and Carer Cafés regularly on a variety of days throughout the week.

If any of them sound of interest, make sure to check out their events for ones which you can attend!

BCP Carer Support

BCP Carer Support offers Support Groups and Carer Cafés where unpaid Carers can meet others, share experiences, access information, and feel less alone in their caring role. These welcoming sessions provide peer support, conversation, and practical guidance, while helping Carers find out about other local opportunities and services. Carers can contact BCP Carer Support on 01202 128 787

They are also actively updating their Carers Calendar, which you can HERE. It’s a useful resource for upcoming events 

Dorset Carer support service delivered by help and care

Dorset Carer Support Service, delivered by Help & Care, provides information, advice, and local support to help unpaid Carers manage their role and access the right services. Carers can contact the service on 0303 303 0153.

Dorset Council Community Directory in partnership with Help & Kindness

You can also explore wider local opportunities through the Dorset Council Community Directory, which includes details of Carer groups and support services across Dorset.

BCP Council & Prama life

FOCUS Carer Support Scheme, linked with BCP Carers Service and Prama Life, offers mentoring and befriending for informal Carers. This includes support from volunteer telephone befrienders who provide a regular friendly voice, as well as mentors who understand caring firsthand and can offer empathy, encouragement, and shared experience.

They also run Carer Support Groups where Carers can connect with peers over a cup of tea, gain emotional support, hear from professionals, and access useful information. For Carers who find it difficult to leave the house because of their caring responsibilities, online Carer support groups can offer a more flexible way to stay connected and receive support.

Minstead online carer community

This is a monthly online group (Teams Meeting) open to all Carers of people with learning disabilities/ and or autism from college age to old age, and from any area. You do not have to be connected to Minstead Trust. This provides an opportunity for on-line social connections, sharing experiences and mutual support. 

Hello Dorchester Carers Group

Hello Dorchester is run by a volunteer from Rethink. The group would love Carers to join them for a coffee and chat in a relaxing atmosphere. You can join in conversations as little or as much as you wish and everyone is there to support each other. You can contact them at dorchestercarers@rethink.org for more information.

Make sure to check out a Carer Support group or Café to see if it could help you in your Caring role.

Forward Carers is proud to award its Employer Commitment Mark to Leonardo Carer Support – Dorset in recognition of the organisation’s outstanding commitment to supporting employees with caring responsibilities.

Going beyond statutory requirements, Leonardo Carer Support Dorset has introduced a comprehensive paid Carers Leave policy for staff, demonstrating a clear and meaningful commitment to helping working Carers balance their professional and personal lives.

The award was presented during an inspiring meeting with CEO Donna Blanche and her team. The conversation provided an opportunity to share lived experience as working Carers and to reflect on the importance of ensuring employees can continue to thrive in the workplace while managing the vital support they provide to others.

Rachel Close, Programme Manager at Forward Carers, said:

“Ideally, working Carers should never feel they have to choose between their job and the person they care for. Employment offers so much more than a salary;  it can provide professional identity, job satisfaction, social connection and often valuable respite or space away from caring responsibilities. Employers like Leonardo Carer Support are showing how thoughtful policies and a supportive culture can make this balance possible.”

Leonardo Carer Support has also taken practical steps to embed this support across the organisation, including training a designated Carer Champion to advocate for colleagues. Additionally, they are offering training space to Forward Carers to help engage and support other employers interested in strengthening their support for working Carers.

Donna Blanche, CEO of Leonardo Carer Support, said:

“It’s not just what we do as a service to our community, it’s who we are. That’s why we are committed to supporting Carers both in the community and within our own team.”

This award recognises Leonardo Carer Support’s leadership in creating a more Carer-Friendly workplace and highlights the important role employers can play in enabling unpaid Carers to remain in work, maintain well-being, and remain connected to their communities.

Welcome to your Dorset Carers March newsletter! This month we’ll be focussing on the Museum of East Dorset, where they are prioritising accessibility and inclusion as they offer aim to provide a visitor experience enjoyable for everyone. We’ll also take you into the recent local and national discounts, a new Carers Stroke support course, as well this month’s featured offer.

We hope you enjoy reading!

You can also find all the free and low cost offers in Dorset and BCP on our website, or following the link below!

Featured Offer: LB Legacy Services

LB Legacy Services are a Dorset based company providing a comprehensive range of estate planning and probate administration services tailored to your individual needs. Our experienced team offers professional, accurate and compassionate support to give you peace of mind while protecting your legacy and your family’s future. 

We guide Executors through the Probate process, ensuring estates are administered efficiently and with care. We tailor and prepare clear, legally sound Wills that reflect your wishes and safeguard your loved ones.  We advise on the creation and management of Trusts to help protect your assets and ensure they are passed on according to your intentions. Trusts can provide significant benefits, including asset protection, tax advantages and privacy. 

We also assist with Lasting Powers of Attorney (LPAs), enabling you to appoint someone you trust to manage your financial, health and personal affairs should you become unable to do so yourself. 

Whatever your circumstances, we are here to support you every step of the way with expertise and personalised attention. 

Emma 

Business Development Executive 

The Museum of East Dorset: Bringing Accessibility to the Forefront

For Carers, planning a day out can often come with a long list of questions, worries and extra considerations. Many support someone with additional needs, sensory considerations, mobility challenges or other accessibility needs which can make visiting attractions feel stressful rather than enjoyable.

The Museum of East Dorset aims to change this, putting accessibility at the forefront of their visitor experience.

They are offering Free Essential Carers Access, and have recently invested in new infrastructure to ensure they are catering for a variety of visitors, providing peace of mind for Carers who may be worried or concerned when planning days out.

Forward Carers very own Karen Warr recently went to check out some of these initiatives. See out what she has to say about it below!

Prama Life Stroke Support

If someone close to you has had a stroke, you may have found yourself becoming a Carer very quickly. Life can change overnight, and there is a lot to learn, and not much time to adjust.

PramaLife, a local charity, is working working with NHS colleagues to offer a free five week information course for people caring for someone after a stroke.

Whilst the course has already started there are more upcoming sessions which could provide support, comfort, and information for you.

• 🗓️ Thursday 19th March: Speech and Language Therapy
• 🗓️ Thursday 26th March: Continence
• 🗓️ Thursday 9th April: Local support for Carers, including Benefits and Practical Help
• 🗓️ Thursday 16th April: NHS Support for Carers

The course is held at Tesco, Riverside Avenue, Bournemouth, BH7 7DY, with free parking for upon to three hours.

Contact Sue.warr@prama.uk or call 01202 804914 to discuss getting onto the course.

Upcoming Event: Support for Working Carers Discovery Session

For Carers, planning a day out can often come with a long list of questions, worries and extra considerations. Many support someone with additional needs, sensory considerations, mobility challenges or other accessibility needs which can make visiting attractions feel stressful rather than enjoyable.

Thankfully, more venues are recognising the importance of accessibility and are taking practical steps to make visits easier, more inclusive, and welcoming to everyone.

Situated on the High Street in Wimborne Minster, the Museum of East Dorset is a brilliant example of this. Already celebrated as ‘Small Visitor Attraction of the Year 2025/26’, the museum has turned it sites to making its spaces and experiences accessible to all.

Forward Carer’s very own Karen Warr recently visited to find out more.

During her tour, she met Rachel, the museum’s Learning Lead, who shared some of the work the team has been doing to improve accessibility.

“The team have worked to produce a series of resources for visitors with SEND and we now have a lift, making the museum even more accessible to people of all ages and disabilities.”

Here, Karen shares some of the insights she gained on tour, exploring some of the practices which make the museum a perfect destination for Carers and families.

the House

Dating back to the 1500’s, the house has been home to many different people over the centuries. In 1962, Hilda Coles closed the family Ironmongers, and the building became a museum, which is now run as a charity.

Visitors can discover the fascinating stories of people who lived and worked there, while exploring a wide range of collections and themed exhibitions. What makes the experience stand out even more is the museum’s clear focus on accessibility:

• Braile books in each room of the Museum 

• Interactive displays 

• A new lift installed through fund raising 

• Blue Dementia friendly toilet seat and soap in the toilet and a red cord alarm 

• Part of the ‘Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme’ 

• ‘Wheelchair Users guide’ available on their website 

the gardens

The museum’s gardens stretch for 100 metres and offer a calm, welcoming space to relax, and explore. Developed largely by Blanche Coles and her daughter Hilda, the gardens are another part of the visitor experience that has been made easier to enjoy with:

• Clear signage throughout

the tea room

Set within the garden, the tea-room also includes a thoughtful accessible feature to support a wider range of visitors, including:

• Accessible Crockery, soup bowls, double handed mugs and teapots, and easy grip cutlery 

• A visual menu 

• A braille menu

the sensory shed

One particularly valuable feature is the sensory shed – a relaxed sensory safe space designed to help visitors take a break if they need time away from a situation.

• Weighed blankets

• Sensory toys

• Sensory lighting

superhero sensory sack

Visitors can also borrow a Superhero Sensory Sack to support them during their journey around the museum. These can be personalised by choosing the items most helpful for each individual visit. Contents include:

Ear defenders 

• A magnifier 

• ‘Today I will visit’ PECS style planning board 

• Reins 

• A character puppet 

• A torch 

• 7 x fidget toys 

• Picture guide to the museum with ‘sensory safe’ zone marked 

• Photo content list 

• Museum quiz sheet and pencil

resources to use before you visit

To help visitors prepare in advance, the museum also offers downloadable resources, including:

• Museum Visual Story 

• PECS Style Museum cards 

• Pictorial Museum Guide 

virtual museum

For this who are unable to attend in person, the Museum of East Dorset offers a virtual Museum experience through its website, helping more people more people enjoy what is has to offer in a way that works for them.

The museum is more than just an interesting place to visit. It is a welcoming, inclusive space that has clearly thought about how to reduce barriers and make visits easier for people of all ages and abilities.

For Carers and families, that can make all the difference.

National Employee Appreciation Day, held on the first Friday of March each year, is an opportunity for organisations to celebrate their staff, recognise those who go the extra mile, and acknowledge the contribution employees make to business success.

Recognition does not always have to come in the form of financial reward. While bonuses and pay increases are welcome, appreciation can also be demonstrated through understanding, flexibility and compassion. For employees who are also unpaid Carers, this kind of support is not simply “nice to have” — it is essential.

Unpaid Carers look after someone who depends on them due to disability, serious illness, frailty or addiction. Caring can be emotionally and physically demanding. When combined with a rigid, uncompromising full-time job, the pressure can quickly lead to stress, sickness absence or even resignation.

Research from Carers UK shows that 2.6 million people have given up work to care — that’s around 600 people every day. Behind each number is a skilled, experienced individual who may have wanted to remain in employment but felt they had no choice.

One of the most powerful ways an organisation can demonstrate appreciation is through supportive leadership. A line manager who acknowledges, understands and empathises with caring responsibilities can make the difference between an employee thriving or leaving.

By adopting a Carer Friendly Employer approach:

• Staff retention strengthens
• Absenteeism reduces
• Experienced and talented employees remain within the organisation

Want to find out more about how workplace training can help your business?    

Join our free 30-minute interactive Discovery Session to explore the business case for Carer Friendly workplaces. Around 1 in 7 employees is balancing work and caring responsibilities in your workforce today— learn who they are and how to support them. We’ll share practical tips and quick wins, our workplace training options and explain how you can achieve the Carer Friendly Employer Commitment Mark certification

Read the story below. Connie, an unpaid Carer, illustrates how the actions of a line manager — both negative and positive — can have a profound impact, and how tools such as a Carer ID card and a Carer’s Passport can transform working life.