Top award to centre staff
Stirling Carers Centre has been awarded the Scottish Government’s‘Carer Positive’kitemark.
The kitemark is awarded to employers in Scotland who have a working environment where carers are valued and supported. This might be through flexible working practices or with simple practical measures which can make a big difference to carers.
Centre Manager May Kirkwood said:“Stirling Carers Centre provides a wide range of information, advice and support services for unpaid carers in the Stirling area and we find that many struggle with their work-life balance. It is crucial that we do everything we can to support our staff in their caring role as this can make a big difference to their lives.”
In Scotland, around one in seven people in the workforce is juggling work and caring. Unfortunately, as many as one in five people give up work because of their caring responsibilities at home.
‘Carer Positive’aims to raise awareness of the growing number of working carers and the benefits to employers of supporting and retaining valuable members of staff.
Carer Positive spokesperson Sue McLintock said:“As the population ages and number of carers rises, combined with the fact that we are all working longer, the effects of losing these members of staff from the workforce will grow and will increasingly present a real challenge to employers.
“Evidence shows that supporting carers to remain productively in work helps retain skills, knowledge and experience, reduces absence levels, and avoids additional recruitment and training costs.”
More information on the scheme is available at www. carerpositive.org or call Sue on 0141 445 3070.