open letter to the greenwich community

Hello everyone, 

Thank you for helping with our mission to build a network of carer-inclusive workplaces across the borough. We are proud to be the team behind the Carer-inclusive Workplace Accreditation.

Carers are too often ‘othered’ by society — overlooked, under-recognised, and unseen. Yet the reality is that 1 in 3 of us will become an unpaid carer at some point in our lives. It is rarely a lifestyle choice; in many cases, it is hardly a choice at all.

Caring can become part of our lives with little notice — a sudden event, a gradual change, or a crisis. Whether we have time to prepare or not, the transition is rarely on our own terms.

For carers holding down paid jobs whilst providing unpaid care, life can be challenging - managing the conflicting demands of work and caring isn't easy. 

It can become an unsustainable, relentless pressure with carers eventually concluding they have to choose between earning a living and fulfilling their caring responsibilities. 

Every day over 600 people leave the workforce because of caring responsibilities. Carer poverty is a very real, modern day issue, and one of the leading causes is carers leaving paid employment. 

They are very different things, but our society depends upon unpaid carers just as much as it depends upon business. That is why we must recognise and celebrate those businesses that encourage carers to stay in employment by providing flexible, inclusive workplaces that support caring responsibilities.

If we protect carers from falling into poverty, we also protect the sustainability of our workforce, and our economy. When carers are supported at work, everybody benefits — individuals, families, communities, and businesses. It just makes sense.

I would like to pass along my thanks to The Royal Borough of Greenwich. Without their support, our new quality standard for business would not have been possible. 

With us, them and you, we can achieve meaningful change for carers across the Royal Borough of Greenwich. I know I speak with vested interest, but nothing could be more important than supporting the many thousands of people across the borough to which our wider community owe so much.

Hopefully we will see you soon.

Bye for now