Derbyshire Carers Association (DCA) is delighted to announce that Derbyshire Community Health Services NHS Foundation Trust (DCHS) has been awarded the Carer Friendly Employer Quality Mark, recognising its strong and sustained commitment to supporting staff with unpaid caring responsibilities.

The award was formally presented by DCA Chief Executive Helen Weston during a special Celebration of Carers event held as part of Carers Week, where colleagues from across the organisation came together to recognise the vital role of unpaid carers. The Quality Mark was received by Jemma Walker, Chair of the DCHS Carers Network, on behalf of the Trust.

Recognising a meaningful commitment

In her speech, Helen Weston praised DCHS for taking a proactive, organisation-wide approach to better supporting carers within its workforce.

 

She highlighted that with around one in three NHS employees likely to have unpaid caring responsibilities, it is essential that employers create environments where carers feel recognised, supported and able to balance their responsibilities without stigma.

Helen commended DCHS for not only recognising this need, but acting on it through a comprehensive and well-structured programme of change.

A partnership approach

Over the past year, DCHS has worked in partnership with Derbyshire Carers Association to achieve the Carer Friendly Employer Quality Mark. Together, we have focused on embedding a consistent approach to identifying and supporting carers across the organisation.

This has included a clear commitment from DCHS leadership, alongside a willingness to listen to staff and take meaningful action.

Key achievements

DCA recognises a wide range of positive steps taken by DCHS, including:

Supporting identification and visibility

• Launching a Carers Network, providing a safe and supportive space for colleagues
• Introducing prompts into wellbeing conversations and one-to-ones to help staff identify as carers
• Completing staff engagement work confirming the scale of caring responsibilities across the workforce
• Signing the Carers Pledge, demonstrating visible organisational commitment

Strengthening policies and workplace support

• Reviewing and strengthening Carers Leave and Family Leave policies
• Introducing a Carers Passport, enabling open conversations between staff and managers
• Embedding carer-friendly messages within recruitment processes, including more flexible approaches

Building knowledge, confidence and support

• Establishing a programme of Carers Champions and manager training
• Creating a dedicated Carers Intranet Hub, bringing together information, support and resources in one place
• Hosting regular Carers Network meetings, supported by guest speakers and shared learning

Creating a culture of awareness

• Raising the visibility of carers through communications, campaigns and events
• Marking key awareness dates such as Carers Week and Carers Rights Day
• Sharing lived experiences through Carers Champions to help normalise conversations about caring

Making a difference for carers

Jemma Walker said, “This award means so much to us. As someone who understands the realities of balancing work with caring, I know how important it is to feel seen, supported and understood at work.

Over the past year, we’ve created a space where colleagues can be open about their caring roles and support each other, and I’ve been genuinely inspired by the courage and kindness people have shown.

I’m incredibly proud of what we’ve achieved together—from building our Carers Network to seeing Carers Champions making a real difference across the Trust. This is about people helping people, and we’re committed to keeping that momentum going so every colleague who is also a carer feels they belong.”

Congratulations

DCA would like to offer their sincere congratulations to everyone at DCHS who has contributed to this achievement. Becoming a Carer Friendly Employer requires dedication, collaboration and a genuine commitment to supporting staff—and DCHS has demonstrated all of these.

Derbyshire Carers Association is proud to work alongside organisations like DCHS to help create workplaces where carers are recognised, valued and supported.