Renfrewshire Council

There has been lots on this Carers Week. With three events and daily email updates, our HR team are committed to ensuring unpaid working carers across the Council are visible, valued and supported.

Here's a look back at the week's activity:

Daily emails highlighted all the key information from our Council staff with caring responsibilities webpage including what an unpaid working carer is, our pledge to carers, our flexible working practices including carers leave and the carers passport and where to go for local and national support.

Earlier in the week, the team hosted a RenTalks session for line-managers to help them understand their role and responsibilities in supporting unpaid working carers. On Thursday, colleagues from our carers connected forum came together for a 'Care for a Cuppa?' session where they spoke about their caring experiences and swapped top tips and advice.

The week rounds off with today's online 'Lunch and Learn' session with Will from Carers UK. The charity offers a range of support including access to their 'Jointly app' which helps with planning for shared caring responsibilities as well as health and wellbeing resources. 

Help us continue to improve our support

Line managers and colleagues with caring responsibilities are invited to complete this short feedback survey by 30 June  to help us continue to grow and improve the support and resources we offer.

Additional resources

As Carers Week 2023 draws to a close, we want to remind you that you can always get help and advice at work, from your local carers centre and online using our free access code to the Carers UK Digital resource - 'DGTL1889'.

The Carers UK website and our own employee wellbeing hub both have lots of useful information on how to look after your own physical and mental health.

Caring and the cost of living

Renfrewshire Citizens Advice Bureau (RCAB) can help you maximise your income and check your benefits to ensure you're accessing everything you're entitled to. This includes Parent Carers and Pension Credit which can unlock other benefits.

As a Renfrewshire Council colleague you can contact RCAB or get in touch with our Advice Works service for help and assistance with things like budgeting and benefits.

Please get in touch if you have any questions

If you have any questions about the support available or if you think you might be an unpaid working carer, but you aren't sure, Fiona Sinclair and Ian White from our HR team are here to help. Get in touch with them by calling 0141 487 0791/0828 or by emailing Fiona.sinclair@renfrewshire.gov.uk and ian.whyte@renfrewshire.gov.uk. 

Published on Friday 9 June 2023.