In celebration of National Carers Week last month Nottingham CityCare's Unpaid Careers Staff Network organised an event open to all staff. To support and further learn about the staff network and the role of unapid carers our Chief Executive Dr Nicole Atkinson attened the event.
Read her blog about her experience below:
I had the privilege of joining the Unpaid Carers Staff Network event taking place to celebrate National Carers Week —an eye-opening experience that left me both humbled and inspired.
As I listened to colleagues share their personal journeys of balancing work with caring responsibilities, I was struck by the quiet strength, resilience, and compassion that runs through our organisation. These are not just stories of challenge, but of extraordinary commitment—of people who give so much of themselves, both at home and at work.
The Unpaid Carers Staff Network is a vital space for connection, support, and advocacy. It reminds us that behind every role at CityCare is a whole person, often carrying invisible responsibilities. Members of the network shared that the meetings are not just a space for support but also for advice and to feel seen and heard through shared experiences.
The event featured a variety of activities led by fellow colleagues, including Nordic walking, crafts, hand massages, and laughing yoga—which I had the pleasure of joining. Speaking with the colleagues who led these activities highlighted that we all have lives outside of work, even if we usually only see each other in a professional context. These personal lives are not only filled with talents and hobbies, but also, in some cases, invisible responsibilities.
I want to thank everyone who attended for their openness and honesty, and for helping to shape a more understanding and flexible workplace.
We have more to do to ensure our unpaid carers feel seen, supported, and empowered. That includes continuing to listen, learning from lived experience, and embedding carer-friendly practices into our culture.
To all our unpaid carers: thank you. Your contribution is deeply valued, and I am committed to championing your voices at every level of our organisation.
Date published: 11 July 2025
