Award for voluntary services association
PKAVS hailed for efforts on work/life balance
The Perth and Kinross Association of Voluntary Services has received a sought-after carers award.
The Perth-based charity recently achieved ‘exemplary status’ in the Carer Positive programme.
The benchmark is the scheme’s highest possible level and recognises PKAVS’ commitment to supporting carers in the workplace, ensuring they feel valued and can manage their work-life balance effectively.
PKAVS is only the tenth organisation in the country to be given the grading as part of a Scottish Governmentfunded initiative developed with the support of a strong partnership of private, public and voluntary sector organisations.
Carers support worker Kerry Donaghy led on the accreditation process and spent time visiting employers across Perth and Kinross in a bid to educate them on the importance of supporting carers in the workplace.
She said: “As a charity that supports and advocates for unpaid carers throughout Perth and Kinross, this accolade reinforces PKAVS’ commitment to carers in the workplace and its role educating other employers in the area.
“It is estimated in the UK that one in five carers give up work to care because of inflexible policies and attitudes in their workplace.
“We appreciate that our staff have lives outside of their jobs, and we are delighted that staff at PKAVS are feeling more supported to have a work/ life balance and to receive recognition of this.”
In addition, PKAVS has also recently helped Horsecross – the charity behind Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre – gain ‘engaged status’ within the same scheme.
From left are PKAVS’Kerry Donaghy, Sue McLintock of Carers Scotland and Denise Clark, an HR co-ordinator with Horsecross Arts. Pic: Fraser Band