Wiltshire businesses recognised for work with Carers

Two Wiltshire business have been recognised for their support of employees who are also unpaid carers.

Medvivo and PACA were awarded bronze certification at the recent Working For Carers Annual Gala in Devizes.

The Carer Support Wiltshire initiative, Working For Carers, supports employers to promote carer awareness within their organisation, improve line manager training, and to create a compassionate and supportive culture for their employees.

Businesses from across the region attended the annual event held in Devizes Town Hall.

Speakers included Lizzie Rapley, Working For Carers employers project officer, who announced a new website and plans for expansion with other Carers Trust network partners across the UK, and Catharine Hurford, CEO of Carer Support Wiltshire, who highlighted the challenges many carers face juggling work with a caring role.

Catharine said: “One in five carers gives up employment because of their caring responsibilities. Recognising and supporting working carers on your staff offers many benefits, including the retention of experienced workers, reduced absences and improved staff morale.

“Congratulations to Medvivo and PACA – a Working For Carers accreditation shows that you care about your employees.”

Daisy Newsome, recruitment and retention manager for home health care service Medvivo, said: “We’re thrilled to have been able to achieve the Bronze Award for Working For Carers.

“At Medvivo, we take the wellbeing of our employees seriously, and are committed to ensuring we are flexible to their responsibilities outside of work as well as in the workplace.

“This award demonstrates our commitment and is the first step on achieving the full accreditation.”

Alison Barrett of Melksham domiciliary care provider PACA said: “To be a member of Working for Carers has been a learning curve for our whole team. They all help each other when a member of staff needs extra time off to support a loved one.

“We have an open door policy to give staff the confidence to come and talk to us when there is a problem and not have any other stresses to add to what they are already coping with.”

Businesses can find out more about supporting the carers in their workforce by contacting Lizzie Rapley at hello@workingforcarers.co.uk