WILTSHIRE businesses, Corsham Print and Dorothy House, have been recognised for their ongoing commitment to carers with a Working for Carers Outstanding Employer Accreditation.

The awards, given to organisations who have gone the extra mile to identify and support carers in their workforce, were presented by Devizes MP and patron of Carer Support Wiltshire, Claire Perry at the recent Working for Carers network lunch.

Chris Perry, managing director of Corsham Print, who collected the award said: “Our employees are our most valuable resource and ensuring that we have the mechanisms in place to support them if they are caring for someone is very important for our business. We are very proud to have achieved the Outstanding Employer Accreditation and the process has already helped us identify members of staff who care for a loved one."

Celia Duggan, HR business partner at Dorothy House Hospice Care, said: "My colleague Sandy Corbyn and I were delighted to receive the Working for Carers Outstanding Employer Award from Carer Support Wiltshire, on behalf of Dorothy House. The award recognises the hospice for its commitment to the wellbeing of our staff who are also carers. It also reflects our efforts to be a compassionate employer at a time when the government is increasing their investment in helping carers return to the workplace. It was interesting to join and meet with other local organisations at the network lunch and to learn about other work being done locally and explore opportunities to work collaboratively".

Working for Carers was set up three years ago by Carer Support Wiltshire to highlight the increasing number of carers among the county’s workforce and to encourage and help employers support those who juggle their work commitments with a caring role.

The programme’s success has meant expansion with Worcestershire Association of Carers and Forward Carers in Birmingham to engage with employers in the Midlands.

CSW will also be launching the scheme in Gloucestershire later this year in association with Carers Gloucestershire.

Carer Support Wiltshire chief executive, Catharine Hurford, said: “Building trust and confidence in the employer employee relationship makes sense at personal, organisational and community levels. These two organisations are beacons of outstanding good practice in identifying and recognising carers in the workplace. Our wholehearted congratulations to them.

We are delighted that our innovative Working for Carers scheme is being adopted elsewhere in the country, providing local solutions for carers and employers, as industry minister and Devizes MP Claire Perry highlighted in her powerful speech.”

To find out more about working for carers, visit https://workingforcarers.co.uk/.