Working carers

Are you a carer?

NHS England's definition of unpaid carers says, 

"A carer is anyone, including children and adults, who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support.  The care they give is unpaid".

We know many of us don't see ourselves as ‘carers’.  We are a partner, parent, sibling, child, friend or neighbour and our caring role is an extension of an existing relationship. 

Note. Routine childcare is not considered as being a carer. However, if your child has additional needs, it is likely you are a carer.
 

What does it mean to be a working carer?

You’re a working carer if you are a carer at home and also have a job. This applies whether your job is full time or part time, working from home, in an office, a hospital, a care home, in the community or any other setting.

It can be challenging to juggle work and caring responsibilities, so we’re offering a space for working carers to find practical support ideas and an opportunity to share experiences.

 

Working carers workshop

The Wellbeing Matters team has partnered with The Working Carers Network (part of the Purple Network at Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust), to offer Working Carers workshops for staff.

This 2 hour online workshop will cover topics like:

• the psychological impact of caring
• when, where and how to reach out for support
• coping strategies such as self-compassion, self-care, emotional regulation skills
   

Course dates:

• 27 April 2023 - 2.30pm - 4.30pm
   

Sign up here: Working carers workshop registration form

Once registered, you’ll get an email with a Teams invite and enrolment details. 
 

The workshop is open to everyone who is eligible for support from Wellbeing Matters. This means staff working for a health or social care organisation, in any role, who live or work in Berkshire. (For more, see Who can access the support)

Resources

We know being a working carer can be difficult and sometimes lonely. It can bring unique challenges with your finances, employment rights and your own mental wellbeing that you may need help with at times.

Here are some resources that may help you if you’re a working carer. You can also share these if you're supporting a friend or colleague who is balancing work and caring responsibilities.
 

UK | Carers UK (carersuk.org)

A space for working carers in the UK to access support and advice eg finances, health and wellbeing, technology support, your rights, socialising for carers. You can become a member for free to keep updated about news and events.

 

Care Act factsheets - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

The Care Act outlined in a clear, user-friendly format, to help you understand rights and responsibilities for you, the person you care for and yourself as a carer.

 

Carers - Working for Carers (workingforcarers.co.uk)

Advice for carers on how to manage at work. Website created to help employers understand how to support their employees with caring responsibilities. It outlines carers rights to flexible working, protection from discrimination, emergency leave.

 

Working for Carers - Carers Trust (carers.org)

Helps individuals who are carers move back into employment, with advice on how best to manage this as well as coping with caring responsibilities.

 

Work and caring: information - Carers Trust (carers.org)

Leaflets for working carers, or carers who’ve just returned to employment, on: Your rights as a working carer; How to incorporate flexible working; How to balance working with caring responsibilities. Scroll down to ‘Support for carers in employment’

 

Working Families | Changing the way we live and work (workingfamilies.org.uk)

UK charity offering free legal advice and articles on supporting working families and carers with: Childcare support, pregnancy, caring for children/loved ones with disabilities, flexible working rights, benefits, tax credits, entitlement to leave.

 

Berkshire Carer Support Groups (agespace.org)

Information specifically for individuals caring for elderly loved ones across Berkshire. Includes carers assessments and carer support groups, arranged by local area.