Awards scheme highlights business supporting carers

An awards scheme highlighting businesses' commitment to supporting carers is urging organisations to submit their award nominations.

With 1 in 7 people in the workplace going home to caring duties, Forward Carers, organisers of the awards, say it 's vital for businesses and organisations to recognise, value and support carers.

The Carer Friendly Business Awards celebrates those businesses across the West Midlands who are already supporting carers within their workforce or community.

There are six awards up for grabs, including: Carer Friendly Customer Care, Carer Friendly Employer, The Carers Champion, Carer Friendly Dementia, Carer Friendly Autism and Making A Difference. To enter, nominees will be asked to demonstrate the impact that the business is having on Carers.

Chantell Marler, from Forward Carers, commented: “The awards programme is a fantastic way to promote the importance of supporting carers in the workplace and to engage with businesses across the city. Whether organisations want to improve employee wellbeing or support their customers who are carers, this is a way to acknowledge the steps they have taken to help local families.

"Forward Carers would like to officially recognise organisations that have taken steps to lighten the load in some way - big or small, and made a carer feel more valued in the community. ”

Past winners have included Birmingham solicitors Nicholls Brimble Bhol, who said: “We were delighted and humbled at NBB to have received this award last year and to have been in the same category of such great names as Marks and Spencer and Age concern.

"So many people in society are caring for a loved one at home, made even harder when they 're having to also fulfil their employment obligations. We are proud to be able to support any of our staff who have such responsibilities ”

Nominations are welcomed from those within the Caring community, work colleagues, customers or service users. Self nominations are also accepted.

Nominations close on 31 October, with the virtual awards taking place on 25 November.

To find out more about each category and enter a nomination, go to: https://bit.ly/3cFc99A