A network for people to come together to chat about similar experiences and seek advice with balancing home and work life with caring responsibilities. We launched the SBS Working Parents Network in November 2019 as an initiative to create a place where parents across the School could connect. We want to expand that now to those members of the School with any caring resposibilities. There are a small number of Network contact that can help with: Where to find supportive policies online and who they can speak to clarify how it applies to them in practice (signposting, supporting materials will be provided) General working carers questions eg discussions about how it feels to return to work for the first time after child caring, sharing of experiences of physical symptoms and managing them at work both before and after leave, balancing roles inside and outside of work, flexible working to take on caring responsibilities etc Friendship with people in similar life situations within the School 'Pop-In' Sessions Pre-pandemic we had hosted a couple of 'Pop-In' session where we are able to meet up over a cuppa and a biscuit (optional) and chat. These were held both at King's Buildings and CRM, and when restrictions allow we would like to get back to these. We have planned the following: Virtual We do not currently have any virtual 'Pop-In' sessions scheduled. In person We hoped that the next in-person event would have been a BYOP (Bring Your Own Picnic) at the end of the summer however restrictions hampered this slightly. Peharps Spring/Summer 2024 will see us arranging this. If you would be interested in either a virtual Pop-In session or and In person event please drop us an email or join the MS Teams group Would you like to be a friendly face for working carers in the School? We are always looking to have to volunteer working carer contacts from the School. The Working Carers Contacts will help host these informal ‘Pop Ins’ in different buildings and SBS locations about 4 times per year, when normal circumstance s resume, but online . Not all contacts need to attend all Pop Ins as the host will rotate. Time commitment will be minimal. Contacts will support SBS Staff and PhDs that are carers as noted above. Please contact lead Louise Bishop to express your interest in becoming a Working Carer Contact, or to find out more about the Network. This article was published on 2024-06-17
