Forward Carers Congratulates BCHC’s Commitment Mark Award
Forward Carers is proud to recognise Birmingham Community Healthcare (BCHC) as a recipient of our Carer Friendly Employer Commitment Mark. This prestigious award acknowledges workplaces that actively support staff who carry unpaid caring responsibilities, through recognition, policies, and a supportive culture.
BCHC has taken a leading role in this commitment by establishing a dedicated Carers Staff Network and embedding wellbeing support, flexible practices and Carer workplace Champions.
Richard Kirby, CEO of BCHC, said:
“We’ve been on a journey of seeking to take the support for people in BCHC who are Carers more seriously for quite a while now and I am really grateful to the Carers’ network for helping us do that. Their role as critical friends, raising issues, giving us feedback, helping us think through sensible responses, is really important. It’s been eye-opening just how many in our staff have caring responsibilities outside of work. Our job as an employer has to be to make it as easy as possible for people juggling work and care.”
Simon Fenton, CEO of Forward Carers, added during the Carer’s Rights Day event and award presentation:
“Your staff network, your enhanced access to wellbeing support, your clear signposting, and your commitment to creating local care champions all demonstrate a Trust that genuinely understands its workforce and is prepared to invest in their wellbeing. In a sector where caring responsibilities are especially common, BCHC shows how a truly supportive, flexible and compassionate employer can operate.”
Rachel Close, Programme Manager at Forward Carers, commented:
“As a working Carer myself, it is always a joy to meet passionate, like-minded staff networks. Joint Network Chairs Akunna Madufor and Abdulsalam Olatunde have continued to juggle work, caring and leading this new staff network with such energy and commitment. I’m looking forward to continuing our training and mentoring support as the network grows.”
Forward Carers applauds BCHC’s for taking tangible steps towards embedding carer-friendly practice across the organisation. Their achievement highlights the significant difference employers can make when they acknowledge and support unpaid Carers among their workforce and the wealth of knowledge and experience these staff members provide.
We look forward to continuing our partnership with BCHC, delivering training, mentoring and guidance as they continue to embed their commitment to Carers.
About BCHC
Birmingham Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust – known as BCHC – deliver more than 100 different NHS services for people of all ages. They provide core community health services for the 1.1 million people of Birmingham and also a range of specialist rehabilitation and dental services for the 6.5 million people across the wider West Midlands region.
To read more about BCHC and their Commitment Mark Award, click below.
