11 June 2021

Thank you to all our carers 

Carers’ Week is an opportunity to shine a light on, celebrate and support all the carers working at CNWL and carers supporting patients in our community.

I know many of our staff are carers in their personal lives too.

Some of you may not see yourself as a carer because you do it willingly; dedicating time to look after family members or a significant other who cannot cope without your support. 

I know that it’s probably been harder this year too with the demands of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

I, and the Executive Team, want to personally thank you for all you do, and remind you of the support available through the Trust and our dedicated Carers at Work Network. 

This week we’ve held events under the theme ‘Make Caring Visible and Valued’. If you couldn’t make the virtual events but want to find out more, contact our network co-chairs Sian and Sarah on the details below – they welcome any questions. 

We’re also holding a Carers Tea Party today on Zoom to thank carers of our patients – organised by the Involvement Team and Carers Council. It’s at 12pm. Find out more and access the link to join here using our carers week article published earlier this week. We fully acknowledge the caring work you all do; the NHS would not survive without it!

It’s a small phrase but means so much: Thank you all.

I also want to remind you and managers across the organisation of the importance of talking to staff about any caring responsibilities they have and signposting to support. 

People providing high levels of care are more likely to suffer from mental health difficulties and physical health difficulties as a result of caring and many feel lonely or isolated.  If you're a carer, the Keeping Well Service for staff have a range of self-help resources available to you, take a look here.

We also have the check in and chat service for patient carers. If you think any carer may benefit from Check In & Chat, please complete this referral form and send to cnwl.check-inandchat@nhs.net.

Finally CNWL has its own Carers at Work Staff Network dedicated to Carers at Work. Their Trustnet page can be accessed by all CNWL staff. Please search 'carers network' on Trustnet.

You don’t have to be a carer to join, everyone is welcome. They hold events through the year during Carers Week, on Carers Rights day and also offer ad hoc Navigating HR sessions to carers. If you are interested in being involved in the committee, or in attending any of the sessions we offer please email cnw-tr.carers.cnwl@nhs.net or email the network co-chairs directly sarahhulme@nhs.net and sian.aylett@nhs.net

Thank you to all our carers.

Hannah