Examples of well-established networks (within EfC) include:

BT

Following longstanding support for carers within the company the carers network was formally launched in 2009. It is run by employees, with support from the HR team and currently has around 500 members. The network has a flexible model and provides practical ‘self-help’ for carers in the workforce including information on the HR website and via SharePoint (software package) which enables carers to register on the site and share information, ask questions, post announcements and signpost each other to internal and external sources of support. The network has also run ‘knowledge calls’ on issues such as dementia and ‘chat calls’ to exchange experiences of caring. These have attracted considerable interest and have covered topics such as dementia, care assessments, special needs and other topics identified by carers. They have typically consisted of one hour lunchtime sessions and have been open for all staff to dial in. 

Centrica 

The network was set up in January 2005 by carers in the company as a source of support and advice about all aspects of combining caring and working. It now has around 1,000 members and provides a valuable source of carer information as well as an online discussion board, where experiences can be shared to provide mutual support and advice. The network also enables the company to seek the collective views of carers which helps to embed carer needs in company behaviours and policies. The company believes that the success and sustainability of the network is due to the fact that it has both been employee-led and that it has been sponsored at senior level, including, for example by the Managing Director of British Gas..

Metropolitan Police

The Carers Support Network has evolved over many years, originally from the Disabled Staff Association (DSA). The Carers Support Network (known as the Carers Support Group) is affiliated to the Disabled Staff Association which has numerous other Staff Support Associations (SSA)/Networks). All SSAs are run by MPS employees. There is an intranet site with information of all the Networks the MPS has to support staff and regular blogs from members of staff explaining their lived experiences. The Carers Support Network has a dedicated separate email account. its activities have included regular DSA email information, holding online listening group meetings and occasionally organising a specific Carers Awareness Day. Face to face contact has normally taken the form of a one-hour meeting followed by an informal drop in session (however, due to COVID this has ceased and been replaced by online team meetings). There are opportunities for staff to receive advice regarding their caring responsibilities. We continue as a network to find ways to continue to support staff.

KPMG

KPMG network was established in 2009 and provides a wide range of information and support to employees with caring responsibilities. A key challenge faced in its early years was that its membership mainly included support staff; senior level employees did not identify themselves as carers or come forward for support. The network has been keen to address this and to challenge any perceptions that caring is limiting to people’s careers. A key way in which it has tackled this is to seek visible senior level support for the network and recognition that caring is an important issue affecting the workforce. The network has been successful in securing senior champions (at partner level) in the company over the years.

PwC

PwC has 14 People Networks, which includes the SPACE Network (Supporting Parents, Carers and Everyone Else). SPACE was created by merging the Parent’s network and Carer’s network over five years ago to leverage the commonalities and support between the two. The network has senior sponsorship and has its own online communication site which hosts content and sources of support. It leverages a variety of resources to support individuals to recognise their caring responsibilities and to share their experiences. It also provides a peer support service through the SPACE listening team, allowing carers to find buddy support in the firm. The SPACE Network holds regular firmwide activities, including working with external carer charity, After Umbrage as well as Bright Horizons and ChildNet.

Other EfC member network examples: 

Allen & Overy 

Carers@A&O network: We recognise that it can be challenging to juggle work with caring responsibilities and have created an intranet site that provides advice, support and useful information for carers at Allen & Overy. We also run regular lunchtime seminars for staff with caring responsibilities.

Age UK

Age UK states that it fully supports its Employee Carers Network, which is run by carers with support from P&P (People & Performance). The network provides practical peer to peer support and information while working to raise awareness of the support available and promote carer friendly culture and practice within Age UK.  ‘Our employee carers hold regular meetings and workshops on relevant topics to support carers and where appropriate can signpost carers to Age UK’s own factsheets and expertise available from Information and Advice. Further information is circulated to group members via the loop.  Our Employee Carer Network is a first point of contact for proposed activities and policy and guidance consultation’.

Bank of England

The carers network was launched during Carers Week 2015. It helps to provide information and support to employees within the Bank who are in a caring role or those who wish to find out more about this particular area. The stated main aims of the network are: To promote and encourage awareness of carer related matters; to channel comment on the effectiveness of policies related to those staff who are in a caring role, in addition to their Bank role; and to provide a forum where Bank staff can air their views and seek support on carer related matters. To network’s Steering Group meets regularly to discuss what it can do, in terms of information, activities and events, to help meet these aims and support staff.

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust

Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) Carers at Work Network (CAW) is run by staff who are carers themselves. CNWL recognises that a great number of its staff are carers in their personal lives. CAW has gathered all the relevant HR policies together in one place, under the umbrella of a new organisational Carers’ Booklet, disseminating this to managers and staff. CAW offers supportive information such as signposting to external online support forums, and a local ‘champions’ scheme. We arrange diagnosis-specific education sessions including Navigating HR Policies for staff carers and managers which are run by our own experts and carers. We promote the Network across the Trust making sure there is awareness and support for managers and staff alike.

Network Rail 

The Care employee network provides support and guidance to carers across the business. We recognise that caring for someone can be an extremely demanding and tiring responsibility; sometimes talking to someone in a similar situation can help. Through our scheduled coffee mornings and other ad hoc events, the Care network provides a safe and inclusive environment for all within the business to meet others and discuss issues that they may be facing or to take some time out from responsibilities. With the help of our D&I team, there is now a guide in place for line managers managing carers; and we are working on an updated carers policy that includes access to carer’s leave.

Transport for London 

TfL has a dedicated Staff Network Group for Carers, Parents & Guardians. The group provides a forum for its members to discuss ways to improve working life, share ideas and provide solutions to issues that affect those with caring or parental responsibilities. They do this by developing support material, organising events throughout the year to raise awareness and by providing monthly support sessions.

With many carers and parents feeling isolated, the group has had a huge impact on those who are part of it because they get the chance to meet other people who understand what they are going through. The group also gives staff the opportunity to find out how TfL can support them. By raising awareness of the organisation’s policies, carers & parents can take advantage of flexible working and special leave for emergencies. The group also supports line managers to help them understand the policies and resources available to support their team members.