This week we will be observing Carers Week (5-11 June), an important initiative aimed at highlighting the various challenges faced by unpaid carers, and acknowledging their significant contributions to families, communities and workplaces across the UK.
We also hope that this Week serves as a platform to help staff who may not identify themselves as carers to recognize the important role they play and access the support they need.
A carer refers to anyone who provides care for a family member or friend with a disability, mental or physical illness, addiction, or those who require additional assistance as they age. While many people view caring as one of their most important responsibilities as a family member, friend or neighbour, it can be demanding. Without adequate information and support, caregiving can be quite challenging. This emphasizes the crucial importance of acknowledging and appreciating the efforts of carers while ensuring they receive the necessary support.
We encourage you to explore the range of resources and support available to our staff, as listed below:
Carers Week 2023 resources and activities
To learn more about Carers Week 2023 and discover ways to seek support or participate in the campaign, visit the Carers Week 2023 website.
Information available on our Carers webpages
We have dedicated Carers webpages that provide guidance for Cambridge employees with caring responsibilities. These resources cover topics such as flexible working, parental and dependents leave, the SPACE Network, childcare facilities on campus, and more.
SPACE - Supporting Parents and Carers Staff Network
The Network aims to support employees in balancing their caring responsibilities with their professional roles. It is open to all colleagues at Cambridge, regardless of their position, who have caregiving responsibilities. For further details about the network, you can visit the Carers SPACE webpages. If you are interested in joining the network or would like additional information, please visit the SPACE network webpage