Welsh Ambulance Service is first ambulance service in UK to become Carer Confident Employer

10.01.2025

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.

Nik Dart, a Support Officer at the Welsh Ambulance Service and a carer said: “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.”

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.

Catherine Wynn Lloyd, Organisational Development Experience and Engagement Lead and chair of the network, said: “We are thrilled to have been recognised a Carer Confident Employer, which is testament to the positive changes we’ve introduced as a network, like the Carers Passport, a tool used by carers and line managers to start the conversation on caring responsibilities and the support and flexibility available.

“Colleagues also have free access to the ‘Jointly’ app to help keep track of appointments and medications for their loved one, organise tasks and plan for emergencies.

“We’ve also supported annual campaigns and awareness sessions, shining a light on the challenges faced by unpaid carers whilst recognising the vital role they play within the workplace.

“It was through engagement events centred on shared stories and experiences that the network was inspired to pursue the Carer Confident benchmark.”

Jane Healey, Employers for Carers, Wales Manager said: “We are delighted the Welsh Ambulance Service has now been recognised as a Carer Confident employer.

“From the Carers Passport and Carers Network to information and help available from the wellbeing team and Employee Assistance Programme, there is wide-ranging support offered for colleagues who are balancing work and care at the Welsh Ambulance Service.

“Well done to everyone at the Trust involved in building this workplace support for unpaid carers.

“We are looking forward to our continuing collaboration and seeing how it develops going forward.”

Angela Lewis, the Trust’s Director of Culture Change, added: “Achieving this status has been a celebration of our commitment to supporting employees with caregiving responsibilities.

“It also provides a framework to further enhance this support by improving the wellbeing of our staff and by setting a positive example for other organisations to adopt similar measures.”