Carers Staff Network
Information on how the University of Sunderland's Carers Staff Network has run between 2022-23.
What is the Carers Staff Network?
The Carers Network aims to provide a safe space to share experiences and knowledge, discuss current topics, and make influence wherever possible.
The network has made great strides to address equality issues through monthly meetings with members and raises awareness of issues to a senior sponsor when necessary.
Our members have highlighted that this network provides a safe space to receive support from people going through similar experiences. They can also share knowledge and information to help teach each other more about what people may be going through.
- 100% agree that this network gives them the feeling that they belong
- 84.6% agree that this network allows them to express their authentic self
- 78.6% agree that this network allows them to express their views without judgement.
Our Network Chairs
Meet the Chairs of the Carers Staff Network.
Helen Connify
Initiatives and actions that have impacted the University
Our network discussed the ways they have impacted the University positively. One action that will benefit staff members is our work towards a revision of the Carers Guidelines. This is something we hope to have agreed on in the next year.
We also had a number of incredible guest speakers this year who helped us learn more about issues such as dementia. These events and network meetings allowed our members to learn and gain support from people’s shared life experiences.
Aims for the next 12 months
The aims for our network in the year ahead include:
- Learning how to look after ourselves better, specifically mental health, by receiving more support in our work/life balance
- Training our team leaders to understand how to support carers more, including teaching them the carers guidance policy and how it should be implemented
Our senior sponsors
We ask our sponsor to:
- Commit to using their connections and knowledge to support the network in delivering great events, widening membership, and inspiring staff across the University
- Work to feed the views of the networks to the EDI group and Executive
- Deliver further training related to key areas, with informative speakers who have done research surrounding these topics
- Connect with external agencies and other universities to collaborate thinking on issues
- Drive forward the revised carers guidance policy
- Feed the views of the group to the Executive to make positive changes and promote understanding.
Does the network support the delivery of the University’s value of inclusion?
When our members were asked if the group support the delivery of the University's value of inclusion, 66.7% answered ‘Definitely yes’ and 33.3% answered ‘Probably yes’.
Our terms of reference
We asked our members their opinions on how we deliver our terms of reference:
Connections
To create connections, a safe space, shared purpose, interests, information, and sense of belonging for members.
Share
To share problems, knowledge, ideas, situations, and lessons.
Solve problems
To help to solve problems and challenges by bringing resources, processes, and influencing change.
Powerful voice
To be a powerful voice and source for positive change, embedded across the whole University.
Contact us
We welcome feedback on equality, diversity, and inclusion.
Please contact our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, inclusion@sunderland.ac.uk or the Students' Union at yoursu@sunderland.ac.uk.