Carers
Carers
Support for Working Carers
Are you helping or looking after a family member?
We don’t always see ourselves as carers, we may just see it as looking after Mum and/or Dad or helping a family member or friend. A carer is an individual who, without payment, is responsible for the regular care and support of a parent, partner, sibling, child or other dependant who is unable to care for themselves. 5 million people in the UK are juggling caring responsibilities with work - that's 1 in 7 of the workforce. Caring can be rewarding, but it does impact every aspect of a carer’s life.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, carers are facing even greater challenges to keep themselves and their loved ones safe. Many of us may have recently taken on new caring responsibilities, due to the pandemic.
The University of Huddersfield is committed to providing equality of opportunity and support to employees with care responsibilities. The University acknowledges that some carers have significant caring responsibilities that can have a substantial impact on their working life.
The University's Caring for Carers at Work guidance outlines the support available for employees with caring responsibilities to help manage and maintain a positive work-life balance.
Line managers also play a key role in supporting carers, so employees are encouraged to identify themselves as a carer, in order to be able to provide the appropriate support. The University acknowledges that each caring situation will be different and can change over time so regular meetings with employees will ensure a manager can provide appropriate support as circumstances change.
Carers Connect
Caring can be rewarding, but it does impact every aspect of a carer’s life, including their own mental and physical health, relationships, finances and work.
Over the last year we have talked to members of staff who have attended workshops held by Kirklees Carers Count. As a result of these discussions, the University has created Carers Connect, a virtual space where any member of staff with caring responsibilities can share experiences / thoughts / ideas / questions with colleagues in a similar position.
Carers Connect also provides information on resources, support and events from organisations focussed on supporting those with caring responsibilities.
If you are interested in joining Carers Connect on MS Teams, or if you have any questions then please contact the EDI team.
Career Returners
If you or someone you know has taken a career break of at least two years’ duration for family, health or caring reasons then you may be eligible to apply for the Daphne Jackson Fellowship for research funding.
In addition Wellcome provide grants/funding for career returners in research, subject to specific eligibility ciriteria.
Information and Resources
Here, you can find out about where to go for specific support or resources depending on the nature of who you are caring for.
Carers Count is an organisation based in Kirklees which supports carers or those being cared for in the Kirklees area. Telephone 0300 012 0231, Monday-Friday 9am-5pm, info@carerscount.org.uk www.carerscount.org.uk, Facebook and Twitter. The staff also work with neighbouring districts for those of you who live, or look after someone who lives, outside of Kirklees. They offer support in:
- Carer Wellbeing
- Advocacy- Getting your voice heard and understanding choices
- Information & Advice
- Benefits
- Mental Health Service for carers
Carers Count have provided the following resources which you may also find helpful:
Carers Count - How we can help you
Carers Emergency Support - Carers Trust Mid Yorkshire
Information Leaflets and Newsletters
Resources for Line Managers
This short video Working Carers - YouTube (just over 3 mins) highlights the need for you as a line manager to understand and support those members of your team who have caring responsibilities. In addition, please familiarise yourself with the information in Caring for Carers at Work on the equality, diversity and inclusion webpages under ‘Policies and Guidance’ to help you to support your team members. You may also want to read Carers Count's guidance on Employers Supporting Working Carers.
Other Local Support Contacts:
Calderdale Carers - 01422 369101 Email enquiries@calderdale-carers.co.uk
Carers Wakefield & District - 01924 305544
Carers Leeds- 0113 380 4300 Email advice@carersleeds.org.uk
Barnsley Carers- 01226 288772 Email BarnsleyCarers@makingspace.co.uk
Bradford and Airedale, Harrogate and Ripon, and Craven districts of Yorkshire- Bradford Office- 01274 449660 Harrogate Office-01423 500555
Carers UK is an organisation of and for carers which offers support in obtaining practical, emotional and financial support. Tel: 0808 808 7777 or http://www.carersuk.org/Home
Carers UK - Resources and Information
The Education Support Partnership offer free confidential help and support, no matter what the problem. Their trained counsellors are available 24/7 to everyone working in education and is available UK wide on 08000 562 561.
Mind offers guidance on how to cope when supporting someone else, giving practical suggestions for what you can do and where you can go for support http://hud.ac/pn3
Carers Trust is a major charity for, with and about carers working to improve support, services and recognition for carers https://carers.org/
The NHS provides a social care and support guide https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/
