Week Five ThinkEDI 12 Weeks of Festive Allyship
Angela Griffith
November 2024
Caring for Carers in the Workplace and Beyond at Christmas
In the UK, millions of people provide vital care to loved ones, often without recognition. The most recent Census 2021, together with the ONS Census data for Scotland and Northern Ireland, suggests that the number of unpaid carers across the UK is 5.8 million. That’s why, this week, we are focusing on how to care for carers.
NHS England defines carers as ‘anyone, including children and adults who looks after a family member, partner or friend who needs help because of their illness, frailty, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support.’ As we have an increasingly ageing population, alongside an improving life expectancy, we have an escalating long-term pressure on carers. Carers UK, State of Caring 2022, shows that 75% of carers in employment worry about continuing to juggle work and care.

The image is focused on the back of a persons head wearing a bobble hat. The background is out of focus lights.
So, how can we support carers in and outside of the workplace, especially at Christmas-time?
How to Plan Carer-Friendly Events in the Workplace During the Festive Season:
The challenge of balancing work and care is an increasingly common issue in the modern workplace. So, it is important to raise awareness of these realities, and educate others in the workplace - particularly managers - who may be unaware of such issues.
Carer-friendly events in the workplace might involve an educational initiative to those less knowledgeable. This could be very beneficial to creating a supportive and inclusive environment where positive discussions can take place about caring, resulting in better policies in place to support carers. These policies may include flexible work scheduling, a carer’s staff network, and well-being checks.
Some ideas for carer-friendly initiatives in the workplace could include:
- Training programs on supporting colleagues with caring responsibilities
- On-site wellness support for carers
- Information sessions on employee rights, including rights to request flexible working and take emergency time off to care for dependents
- Adapting policies to ensure the support of colleagues with caring responsibilities - i.e, an emphasis on flexible working schedules
- Inviting carers to low-pressure social events during the festive season
- Regularly checking in on colleagues, and offering aid to those struggling - especially those with caring responsibilities.
A great way to check the inclusivity of your workplace is by looking at the Carers Checklist, listed at the end of the article.

Three people at a desk in an office environment. Two people are standing and one in a wheelchair, they are all looking at a computer screen.

Week Five ThinkEDI 12 Weeks of Festive Allyship
How to Plan Carer-Friendly Events in the Community During the Festive Season:
An emphasis on flexibility is crucial. You may want to consult carers to ask when the most convenient time for hosting an event, and even offer a virtual participation option if possible. The event should take into account the unique needs of carers and ensure that it is accessible, inclusive and above all - enjoyable and low pressure. Carer-friendly community events - such as coffee mornings, fairs, or an advice group - are not just social gatherings - are crucial for giving carers a space to share experiences and connect with other carers in similar situations. These events can be an invaluable outlet for relaxation, peer support, and awareness-building.
Carer Friendly Events in the community could include:
- Respite care event: a temporary care group where professionals look after those in need, whilst carers are offered support
- Accessible Christmas markets for carers: online or in person, with plenty of space for rest, and for moving around in a wheelchair.
- Shopping hours during the festive period dedicated to those with access needs - e.g. quiet hours and extra attendees for customers with extra needs, to promote independence during the festive period.
- Wellness groups available at a variety of times to emphasize flexibility
- Carer-friendly cinema screenings: e.g. showing an older Christmas film, or a musical for dementia patients to make it more accessible for them to follow along.
Interested to find out more? Follow this link to access the Carers UK Guide: https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/guides-and-tools/looking-after-someone-guide/
Follow this link for the Carers Guide Checklist:
https://www.mssociety.org.uk/sites/default/files/2020-10/Carers-Checklist-UK-2015.pdf
Sources:
https://www.carersuk.org/policy-and-research/key-facts-and-figures/
https://www.england.nhs.uk/commissioning/comm-carers/carer-facts/