Posted on: Wednesday 7 June 2023
Torfaen Council has set up a Carers Champions Network to help provide advice and support for staff who are unpaid carers.
It's estimated there are more than 6.5 million carers in the UK, with 1 in 7 of all employees in Wales juggling work and care for loved ones, equating to 223,000 workers.
Last year, Torfaen Council became the first organisation in Wales to be granted Carer Friendly Employer Accreditation by the Care Collective, the largest charity supporting unpaid carers in Wales.
It came after the council introduced a new Carers Policy, which gives staff with caring responsibilities more flexibility through a personal support plan and additional carers leave, as well as training for managers.
Carers Champion Mel Smith, who works for Torfaen Libraries and cares for her father, said: "It's nice to know there are other colleagues we can speak to who understand the stress and pressures of caring for a loved one.
"The additional leave has also been very helpful - I used it to provide practical support when my father had a fall last year. It can be difficult to cope looking after a family member alongside work but it's important carers to look after themselves.”
Councillor David Daniels, Executive Member for Adult Services and Housing, who has recently been appointed the Council's Carers Champion, said: "Investing in staff who care for loved ones is vital for their wellbeing, as well as the wellbeing of those they care for.
"The process of introducing a new policy for unpaid carers has helped the organisation as a whole to better understand and appreciate the work unpaid carers do and how we can all offer more support."
Tracy Harris, from the Council's Organisational Development Team added: "We hope the Carers Champions will help more colleagues by raising awareness of the Carers Policy and sharing details of support to help them balance their work and caring responsibilities. We would also like other carers to consider coming to work for Torfaen Council."
Unpaid carers across the borough are being celebrated this week as part of Carers Week.
For information about events this week, as well as ongoing activities for unpaid carers and their loved ones, contact louise.hook@torfaen.gov.uk or search for Torfaen Adult Carers or Torfaen Young Carers on Facebook.
Torfaen Libraries runs a weekly Forget Me Not Fridays event at Cwmbran Library for anyone caring for a loved one with dementia. For more information, call 01633 647676.
(Pictured left to right: Carers Champions Louise Hook, Mel Smith, Councillor David Daniels and Tracy Harris.)