Almost 10% of the workforce in Leeds is juggling paid work with care for a loved one with ill-health or a disability, and this number is increasing as people across the country are facing extra caring responsibilities due to the coronavirus outbreak.
At a free online workshop today, attendees from businesses across the city will join a virtual round table discussion with representatives from the Leeds employers forum to share lessons learned from the Covid-19 crisis and discuss new ways of working that will support working carers and the wider workforce.
This year’s Carers Week takes on a particular significance, given the devastating impact of Covid-19 and it’s knock on effects on both care and employment. It is important we take time to recognise and celebrate the role of carers. Their value to society is immense and we need to ensure that they get the support they need.
Councillor Rebecca Charlwood said “The recent Carers UK Report shows that there are potentially long standing issues for those balancing their job and caring for a vulnerable person. Their research suggests there are an additional 2.8 million workers combining work and unpaid care since the outbreak began. This could mean that one in four workers now combine work and unpaid care. Unfortunately this means some carers have had to reduce their hours or stop working to provide this care. We need to make sure that employers, many of whom have themselves been significantly affected, have carer-friendly policies in place to give people the best chance of maintaining both their job and their care commitments.”
Val Hewison, Chief Executive of Carers Leeds said “Evidence shows that unless working carers are supported in the workplace, they may be forced to leave. Becoming a working carer is not something you can plan for; it can happen overnight. This event will connect our combined experience of supporting working carers to develop new practises supporting all employees in the return to work post Covid-19.”
Carers Week is an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges unpaid carers face and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK. It also helps people who don’t think of themselves as having caring responsibilities to identify as carers and access much-needed support.
Carers Leeds is here to provide vital information, advice and support to carers throughout Leeds. Our expert team of Carer Support Workers are available through the advice line which is open Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm. Call 0113 380 4300 or e-mail advice@carersleeds.org.uk.
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