Recognition for work to support unpaid carers
Hywel Dda University Health Board is delighted to have achieved the Carer Confident Level 1 (Active) Award, from Employers for Carers, in recognition of the work undertaken to build a supportive workplace for staff who are juggling work with caring duties.
Many health board staff care for a family member, partner or friend who is older, disabled or seriously ill and this recognition will help staff to identify themselves as carers and access practical support in the workplace to assist them to combine their work and caring responsibilities
Judith Hardisty, Vice Chair and Carer’s Champion for Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “The health board is committed to building a supportive and inclusive workplace for staff who are, or will become, carers and we are delighted to have received this award.
“With 1 in 9 people now juggling work with caring and a growing ageing population, carers are a growing reality in our workforce.”
Since January 2019, the health board has been a joint member along with its three Local Authority partners in the Employers for Carers scheme. The scheme is an employer membership service provided by Carers Wales and Carers UK and provides a Carers Confident benchmarking accreditation scheme.
Judith added: “Our work to support unpaid carers is an ongoing priority both in supporting staff who are juggling work and their caring responsibilities at home and our unpaid carers in the wider community.
“Through our work with our partners in the West Wales Regional Partnership Board we are developing a Regional Carers Strategy and are encouraging carers, family members and staff to have their voices heard by completing the survey.”
The survey can be accessed here and closes on 29 May 2020 (today): https://carmarthenshire.researchfeedback.net/s.asp?k=158825722283
We will also be raising awareness and recognising unpaid carers during national Carer’s Week 8 to 14 June 2020.