A national award has been presented to an organisation that helps gives a representative voice to people with a mental illness, dementia or learning disabilities, along with their carers.
User and Carer Involvement has been designated a Carer Positive Engaged employer after demonstrating that a culture of support for carers is embedded within the organisation.
Manager of the awards Sue McLintock was in Dumfries to present the certificate to the team led by manager Kalpana Ratnam-Roarty.
Kalpana said: “The awards are not an onerous process and a very reflective one. Everyone is potentially a carer and there is so much support available now. Knowing that they are not alone is a huge help because they have to carry so much pressure.” The benefits to employers of having ‘carer friendly’ policies and working practices can include reduced levels of stress, reduced sickness absence, lower recruitment and training costs, increased staff morale and productivity levels.
Becoming a Carer Positive employer can also help an organisation demonstrate where they meet certain criteria linked to funding applications, and to other employer award programmes such as Healthy Working Lives award and the ‘see me’ Employer Pledge.
To find out more about the awards go to: www.carerpositive.org/carer-positive-awards/
