Posted on: 30 May 2022
Carers’ Week (6 to 12 June) is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, and recognise the contribution carers make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don't think of themselves as carers to identify and access much-needed support.
We know that from the latest National NHS Staff Survey, 32 per cent of respondents from across the Trust have caring responsibilities.
“Carers are often an invisible or forgotten group and it is important to acknowledge and recognise the important role and contribution they make - not just to their relative or loved one but to the wider society”.
Elaine Singaram – Carers at Work Network Committee Member
CNWL recognises the importance and value of carers in our Trust, and we know they need to be acknowledged for the difficulties they are experiencing, respected for all they are doing, provided with information, and given the support they need to care safely.
So during Carers Week, CNWL’s Patient and Carer Involvement Team, Carers Council and the Carers at Work (CAW) Network are coming together to make caring Visible, Valued and Supported. They have created a programme of events to reflect on this year’s theme, and this is a chance to get together, chat, take part in some fun festivities and celebrate our working carers across the Trust.
CAW will also be running ‘Navigating HR’ and ‘Helping Managers to Support Working Carers’ sessions – where carers and managers can join for a listening ear or to seek advice on any concerns they have.
We encourage staff to come along, get involved and show your support for carers across CNWL. The event programme can be found here.
We've also listed some other ways you can mark Carers Week. Visit this webpage.
Thank you to everyone who has helped to champion Carers Week and all the carers across the Trust.
If you are hosting events or getting involved during the week, email the Carers at Work Network: cnw-tr.carers.cnwl@nhs.net. We'll be using the hashtag #CNWLCarers and #CarersWeek on Twitter at @CNWLNHS.
Message from Sarah Hulme and Sian Aylett,
Co-Chairs of the Carers at Work Staff Network
Caring for someone is a special responsibility and juggling it with work can be tough and stressful at times. The results from our annual survey echo this sentiment, and show that carers need to be given additional support to manage their responsibilities. 
We want you to know that you’re not alone and we’re here to help. Our Network aims to improve the wellbeing of carers by providing advice, signposting information, running a calendar of events and offering a listening ear.
Staff can join the network at any time, in any capacity you choose, by emailing cnw-tr.carers.cnwl@nhs.net.
You can listen to the annual highlights from our Network in a film below, where we talk about the initiatives we’re working towards in building a supportive and inclusive workplace for staff who are or will become carers - including the Carers Passport.