Carers in touch
The only magazine with dedicated pages offering advice and support to the UK’s six million carers
A new online course helps carers use their knowledge to return to the workplace…
Carers UK has launched a new digital innovation to help carers recognise their valuable skills and experience. The interactive e-learning programme, Learning for Living, helps carers develop greater understanding of the unique skills and knowledge they apply on a day-to-day basis in their caring roles.
Carers regularly manage finances and communicate in a range of situations – skills which are easily transferable in the workplace. Research has shown that 2.6 million people in the UK have
‘We hope that Learning for Living will help carers recognise their expertise’
given up work to care for a loved one and it can be hard to get back into the workplace when caring ends.
Learning for Living is a free online course for carers to help them gain their full potential and to plan a new way of life when caring comes to an end. It aims to boost carers’ confidence if they are trying to re-enter work, or are reviewing their current job.
The course covers several modules including how to learn, communication skills, standing firm, assertiveness – which carers often need! – looking to the future and planning for change.
Madeline Starr of Carers UK says that the unique skills set of carers is often undervalued when compared with skills gained through training or employment.
“Many carers have to change their working hours, or even give up work, to care, so looking for a new job can be daunting. We hope Learning for Living will help carers recognise their expertise and use it to review their job role, return to work, take up new opportunities or participate in the community.”
Carers completing the course will undertake five interactive modules, which take two hours to complete. On completion of the course, they will receive a digital badge which can be used to document their learning and shape their career development.
Carers UK offers advice to carers about how they can combine their caring role with having a life of their own. Carers Trust also runs courses for carers, including caring for someone with dementia.
■ To complete the Learning for Living course, visit www.learning4living.org For general advice call the Carers UK helpline on 0808 808 7777 Mondays and Tuesdays between 10am and 4pm or visit www.carersuk.org
■ Carers Trust can be contacted at www.carers.org
■ Age UK can also offer help and advice for carers – visit www.ageuk.org.uk or call the free advice line on 0800 678 1602