#CarersWeek 2025 (9 – 15 June 2025) focuses on the theme ‘Caring about Equality’, highlighting the inequalities faced by Carers, particularly in balancing caring responsibilities with work.

At Derbyshire Carers Association (DCA), we have introduced Workforce Carers Champions to advocate for our staff who are working for us but are also caring for relatives and neighbours personally. Our Carers Champions are instrumental in raising awareness of Carers Rights at work and ensuring our policies and procedures adhere to those rights.

Stephanie Smith (pictured left on the photo) is a DCA Carers Champion who has lived experience of caring and working and the challenges this can bring. Stephanie says “It can be hard to juggle caring and working but it’s more possible than we think. It’s about employers valuing their workforce who are also Carers, and implementing Carer-friendly practices to ensure more Carers are recruited and retained in the workforce…DCA are doing just this”.

In 2024, DCA was awarded our very own Carer Friendly Employment Quality Award and since then we have seen an increase in staff identifying as Carers and in requests for flexible and home working. This is making caring and working much more manageable for our skilled staff.

Quote from a DCA working Carer “Caring and working can be tiring but it keeps me sane. Work provides a distraction from caring and is important to me mentally and financially. I feel a much better person because I am able to work as well as care for my relatives”.

The photo: Stephanie Smith (left), and Elizabeth Guest (right) who is one of our working Carers “We care and thank you”.

For more details about DCA Carers in Employment Award please visit: https://derbyshirecarers.co.uk/cie-quality-award