Leadership

Welsh Ambulance Service first in UK to become Carer Confident Employer

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Photo credit: Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust.
Photo credit: Welsh Ambulance Services University NHS Trust.

The Welsh Ambulance Service is the first ambulance service in the UK to be recognised for the support it gives to carers in the workforce.

The Trust has been named a Carer Confident Employer by Carers UK for its commitment to building a supportive and inclusive workplace where carers are recognised, respected and supported.

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care by looking after an older, disabled or seriously ill family member, partner or friend.

In 2023, the Trust launched a Carers Network to support staff and volunteers with caring responsibilities and give them a space to connect with others about their experience.

“It’s great that the service has a network for colleagues and volunteers with sharing responsibilities.

“The space and time during the working day to discuss shared lived experiences is so valuable and the network is a great way of finding out more to assist with our care roles, including employment support, financial advice, changes to legislation and so on.

“Some days, due to my caring responsibilities, by the time I get to work in the morning, I feel like I’ve already done a day’s work and just knowing there is a network of contacts to share that with, is very valuable.

“The advice we receive from the network is expert and can be trusted and I’ve already encouraged a few other colleagues to look at joining the network, in particular colleagues who do not readily identify themselves as having care responsibilities.

“I’m proud to work for a Carer Confident employer.”

Nik Dart, a Support Officer at the Welsh Ambulance Service and a carer.

The 2021 census shows that there are more than 310,000 people who identify as unpaid carers in Wales while estimates suggest that there could be up to 470,000 due to so many people not identifying with an unpaid caring role.

This equates to between 10% and 15% of the population being unpaid carers and as a large employer within Wales, it is likely that many of these will be working for the Welsh Ambulance Service.

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