Derbyshire All Age Carers Service congratulate the University Hospitals of Derby and Burton who have received their Carer Friendly Employer Quality Mark from Derbyshire Carers Association.

The accreditation is a result of the UHDB Carer's Network’s hard work and dedication to building a supportive and inclusive workplace for colleagues with caring responsibilities over the last two years. This achievement will make a significant difference for working Carers connected to the Trust and across Derbyshire and Staffordshire.

Jayne Davies, DAACSS Employment Engagement Lead said ‘We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the University Hospital of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust for achieving the Derbyshire Carers Association’s Carer Friendly Employer Quality Mark. Their commitment to supporting unpaid carers has included an improved carer’s leave policy, the establishment of a vibrant carers network, training of carers champions and the organisation and delivery of the annual Care in the Community event.

It's been a pleasure collaborating with such a dedicated team of individuals at the Trust, and we look forward to continuing our joint efforts to provide unwavering support to unpaid carers within the Trust and beyond."

Since signing the Carers Pledge in 2022, the Network has worked with senior leaders and colleagues across the Trust to review policies to provide further support to carer colleagues, as well as enhancing the type of support available - including the roll out of the Carers Passport and dedicated training for line managers to enable them to support carers within their teams.

Jemma Walker, Lead of UHDB Carers Network, said the accreditation comes as a result of years of hard work, and it will have wide-ranging benefits for carers across Derbyshire and Staffordshire:

"I am immensely proud for the Network and the Trust to have been recognised in this way. This has been something we have been working towards together for almost two years, so to see everyone's efforts rewarded in this way is quite moving.

The accreditation was followed by their spectacular Caring in the Community event that brought together Carers and support services from across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and Staffordshire. More than 40 national and regional support services joined to share information on their services and offer information and advice to the many Carers who attended. The event was attended by special guests including His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenants of Derby and Staffordshire, Ms Elizabeth Fothergill CBE and Mr Ian Dudson. The High Sheriffs of Derbyshire and Staffordshire, Mr Ian Morgan OBE and Ms Julia Mitchell, with MP for Burton, Kate Kniveton were also in attendance.

Rachel Kirby, Deputy Lead for the UHDB Carers Network said "being a carer for my father has been an extraordinary journey, filled with both challenges and triumphs. I feel deeply honoured that he trusted me with his care. Although he's no longer here to witness our achievements, I'm proud of what we've accomplished together, including the establishment of the Carers Staff Network obtaining Accreditation, and the recent Caring in the Community event. I'm immensely grateful to Derbyshire All Age Carers Support Service for their unwavering dedication and guidance".

For more information on Derbyshire All Age Carers Support Service Carers in Employment project please visit https://derbyshirecarers.co.uk/cie-about