Every year, Carers Week raises awareness of the experiences, responsibilities, and challenges of being a carer and recognises their valuable contribution. This year, Carers Week takes place from Monday 5 June to Sunday 11 June, with the theme ‘recognising and supporting carers in the community.’
Defence strives to provide a supportive workplace for carers, offering a whole range of support, information, and guidance to carers and their managers.
Who is considered a carer?
Because people don’t always think of themselves as a carer, they can miss out on vital information and support.
The definition of a carer is this: A carer is anyone, including children and adults, who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, mental health problem or addiction and cannot cope without their support. The care they give is unpaid.
Guidance and support for all carers in Defence
Employers for Carers platform
There are 5.7 million unpaid carers across the UK, and one in seven of them are juggling work and care, and the many challenges that can come with it.
Example of posters that will be displayed this week
Military and civilian personnel can find a range of resources and advice for carers, and colleagues that manage/support carers, on the Employers for Carers (EfC) platform.
This platform is free and available to everyone in Defence. You can sign up and become a member using the relevant membership code below:
Royal Navy - #EFC2716
British Army - #EFC2714
Royal Air Force - #EFC2715
MOD Civilian - #EFC2713
The Discover My Benefits website
Civilian and Service personnel can find out about the support and benefits available to them and their families on the Discover My Benefits website.
Get a carer’s assessment
Anyone who needs help coping with their day-to-day caring responsibilities is entitled to a carer’s assessment from their local council. This assessment may be referred to slightly differently across the UK, but all are designed to explore the kind of help you need as a carer.
To find out more about carer’s assessments across the UK, including how to request and prepare for one, visit the Carers UK website. To find local care services in your area, visit the Carers Trust website.
Carers UK, the charity
Carers UK provides information and advice on the different aspects of caring, and explains how to access workplace, financial and wellbeing support.
