South Scotland Labour MSP Colin Smyth has been recognised as a Carer Positive Engaged employer by Carers Scotland.

The Award was presented to Colin Smyth MSP during Carers Week 2019 which aims to raise awareness of caring and the challenges faced by carers in employment and wider society.

Carer Positive is a scheme operated by Carers Scotland with the aim of recognising employers who offer best support to carers, allowing them the flexibility they often require to provide care at home.

Colin Smyth received his award from Sue McLintock of Carers Scotland at the Dumfries and Galloway Carers Centre in Dumfries. The Centre in Dumfries supports over a thousand carers from across the region every year. During his visit Colin was able to talk to carers who were attending the newly formed Craft Club for a coffee and chat.

Colin Smyth said, “I am grateful to the staff and carers at Dumfries Carers Centre for my visit during Carers Week 2019. With the number of carers increasing across the region for a variety of reasons it is important to listen to carers concerns and help put in place the support carers for the truly astonishing.

I am proud to be recognised as a Carer Positive Engaged employer. Employers who are awarded the status are able to give an assurance to carers, and to existing staff who may become carers, that their needs will be met by the organisation they are employed by. With 3 in 5 people in Scotland expected to be a carer at some point in their life it is a small step employers can take to support their workforce and future carer employees.

I would encourage all local organisations who have not yet signed up to become a Carer Positive Employer to consider doing so. The process is straight forward and ensures that employers review their practises to ensure they can properly support carers they may employee.”

Sue McLintock, Carers Scotland said, “We are delighted to recognise Colin Smyth MSP as a Carer Positive employer and very much welcome his efforts in raising awareness of the challenges faced by working carers in the South of Scotland.  We hope that other employers in the region will follow his example in valuing and supporting staff who juggle paid work with caring responsibilities in their home lives.”