MVA is hosting a Third Sector Forum to explore the wider budget picture (Midlothian Council, Scottish Government & UK Government). We will discuss the impact of the UK budget, the Midlothian Council consultation, and the potential to influence the Scottish Government as they make decisions around their upcoming budget.
This meeting is restricted to third sector organisations in Midlothian. Sign-up here.
This meeting will be hybrid: In-person at the MVA offices (4-6 White Hart Street, Dalkeith) and also online via Teams. Please select the relevant ticket option at checkout.
If you have any questions or access requirements please email us at: info@mvacvs.org.uk
The Third Sector Forum is a meeting of third sector organisations in Midlothian, regularly convened by MVA. The aim is to share important information, discuss issues affecting the sector, and formulate a shared voice for the sector within the community planning process.
Midlothian TSI staff members recently took part in a bespoke Think Carer training session, delivered by VOCAL Midlothian.
VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian – is a charity that supports and empowers unpaid carers through individual support, information, training, and access to services. VOCAL work in partnership with employers across all sectors, supporting their ambitions to upskill managers and become a carer friendly workplace.
Think Carer Training Recap
The Think Carer training provided us with valuable insights into the role of unpaid carers and how to better support them. The session offered a chance to reflect on how carers are identified and the impact caregiving can have on their health & wellbeing. We explored practical tips for ensuring carers feel recognised and supported, while also considering the benefits this brings to those they care for.
Overall, the training highlighted the importance of acknowledging and supporting unpaid carers, offering tools and insight into the range of services VOCAL offers.
Supporting Carers in the Workplace
Caring responsibilities are often a hidden issue in the workplace, making it challenging for employees to seek support. In fact, one in five carers leave their jobs because balancing work with caregiving becomes overwhelming.
As the number of people with caring responsibilities continues to rise, it’s increasingly important for workplaces to create supportive environments where carers feel valued and can access the help they need to balance both roles effectively.
To address this, VOCAL partners with employers across sectors to help managers develop carer-friendly workplaces. In collaboration with VOCAL, we are hosting an Identifying and Supporting Carers at Worktraining session, specifically tailored for third sector leaders in Midlothian.
Join us online on Tuesday 5 November, 11:00 to increase your awareness of working carers, and how you can best support employees juggling work and care.
During this session, managers will reflect on the hidden impacts of caring and learn how to identify and support unpaid carers within their organisations.
#ProtectUnpaidCarers Campaign
The Scottish Government recently made the decision to not include unpaid carers as an eligible group for the COVID-19 vaccine in Scotland. We support VOCAL’s campaign to advocate against this decision and ensure the Scottish Government recognises the crucial role of unpaid carers. Read more about the campaign and learn how you can get involved here.
Contact
For further information on the training and support VOCAL can provide, please contact employers@vocal.org.uk.
See all of the support & services VOCAL provides on their website: www.vocal.org.uk
VOCAL – Voice of Carers Across Lothian – is a charity that supports unpaid carers. We provide training sessions for employers with a presence in Edinburgh and Midlothian. Our goal is to help employers across the public, private and third sector to build confidence in supporting carers in the workplace, and increase awareness in identifying and engaging with carers. Our training sessions aim to give you a strong foundation if you are looking to apply for Carer Scotland’s Carer Positive accreditation.
Caring is often a hidden issue in the workplace, making it difficult to talk about and support. One in five carers give up work because balancing caring and holding down a job becomes too much.
As a leading expert, we collaborate with employers to create carer-friendly workplaces. We can support you in raising awareness, leading team discussions, building carer networks, also reviewing and developing internal policies.
Programme for third sector managers
The programme is aimed at supporting managers in the third sector to increase their awareness of working carers, and how they can best support their employees who are juggling work and care. We will run an introductory session called Identifying and supporting carers at work, which aims to make carers more visible in the workplace. During this session, managers will reflect on the hidden impacts of caring and learn how to identify and support unpaid carers within their organisations.
If there is enough interest following the introductory session, we can offer follow-up sessions on:
Caring conversations
An introduction to Carer Positive accreditation
How to develop/improve a carer policy and carer passport
How to build and establish a successful carer network
How to engage and communicate to create a caring culture
