The COVID-19 pandemic has been, for many people, an eye-opener when it comes to the incredibly important role that unpaid carers play for many people in society. A subsection of our community that is frequently forgotten, unpaid carers are often family members or friends who dedicate themselves to looking after a loved-one who is unable to care for themselves.

Unpaid or family carers and the incredibly important role that they carry out has been brought into the public conscience during the pandemic. These carers often balance work with caring, but many feel undervalued.

In 2021, we launched the Carer Friendly Card. The Carer Friendly Card was created to recognise carers, and provide them with rewards to brighten their day.

Businesses that recognise the Carer Friendly Card have the opportunity to acknowledge the vital role provided by carers. There are also a number of other significant benefits, these include:

Developing Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

As more of the public has grown to appreciate the role carried out by carers, the issues surrounding their recognition and value to society have become more and more significant to many people. This is a factor that is important for businesses to consider when evaluating their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), which is:

“A self-regulating business model that helps a company be socially accountable—to itself, its stakeholders, and the public. By practicing corporate social responsibility… companies can be conscious of the kind of impact they are having on all aspects of society, including economic, social, and environmental”

Investopedia definition of Corporate Social Responsibility

Incorporating CSR into your business model not only helps your company act more ethically, but it is also increasingly recognised as a method for generating new business. Nearly 9 in 10 people purchase a product because a company advocated for an issue they cared about. Recognising the Carer Friendly Card allows you to be an advocate for the important function that carers carry out.

Become an integral part of your local community

It can be difficult for new businesses to establish themselves as a part of a community, but doing this is important. The pandemic has meant that increasingly local people choose to shop within their own community, in fact, research in 2020 by MasterCard found that two thirds (65%) of people in the UK say they have a newfound appreciation of their communities and local shops since the onset of Covid-19. There are several methods that can help integrate your business as part of the local community and recognising those who help others in the local area (such as carers) is certainly a meaningful method of helping to generate community spirit.

Support your own workers

With 14% of the UK’s workforce also carrying out an unpaid caring role outside of work, there is a significant chance that a number of your own workforce are also unpaid carers. Unfortunately, a quarter of carers responding to Carers UK’s 2013 ‘State of Caring Survey’ said that although their employer was sympathetic, they did not offer them support.

You can help to support your employees who care for loved ones by recognising what they (and others) do away from work. Supporting the Carer Friendly Card indicates to your employees that this is a social issue that is important to you and this recognition can help to boost morale amongst your employees.

How to get involved with the Carer Friendly Card?

If your business is interested in offering a discount for Carers on the Carer Friendly Card, please visit our website for more information.

If you are a Carer interested in signing up for a Carer Friendly Card, please visit our website for more information.