Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) which provides a range of health related services to residents across Ealing has become the first NHS employer and one of only five organisations to achieve a Carer Confident Ambassador award.
The Carer Confident award, run by Employers for Carers, recognises employers who provide support and help for employees who are who will become carers.
In 2021, a NHS staff survey found that one in three workers are juggling their job while caring for a loved one. Many feel isolated at work, and 57 per cent have lost touch with family and friends as a result.
CNWL said it recognises that a great number of its staff are carers in their personal lives, and that creating a work environment that supports working carers has benefits for both carers and the organisation.
In its report on CNWL, Employers for Carers said: “We felt that you exceeded the standard because of the comprehensive and imaginative ways in which you support carers through both their employment and caring journeys. We were also impressed to see how you have been promoting issues facing carers and how you support them in your workplace.”
Within CNWL, the Carers at Work Network is a staff forum which provides support and guidance for carers in the Trust, and it is run by staff who are carers themselves.
Co-Chairs of the network, Sarah Hulme, CNWL’s Service Director for Camden and North West London Tri-Borough Services, and Sian Aylett Head of HR Diggory Division said:
“We are delighted to have achieved this award, which recognises the quality of the offer we have developed over time to meet the needs of CNWL’s working carers. We know that the work of the CAW network makes a difference to those carers we reach, and we have the aspiration and commitment to broaden our reach to support even more staff.”
Hannah Witty, CNWL’s Chief Finance Officer, who is the executive sponsor for this network said: “This is a welcome recognition of our achievements, and I am so proud of the energy, focus and dedication from the Carers at Work Network. We know we have more to do and we will continue to focus on delivering this for all our brilliant working carers. I’d especially like to thank Sian and Sarah for their inspirational leadership of the network.”
 which provides a range of health related services to residents across Ealing has become the first NHS employer and one of only five organisations to achieve a Carer Confident Ambassador award. ){kind=link}