The Royal Borough of Greenwich is marking Carers Week 2026 by encouraging businesses and organisations across the borough to follow its lead and become accredited Carer-Inclusive Workplaces, helping to create more supportive environments for unpaid carers. The council is also highlighting the local support on offer for carers and their families, including a roadshow taking place across the borough this week.
The council became an accredited Carer-Inclusive Workplace earlier this year through Greenwich Carers Centre, recognising the support available to council staff who balance work alongside caring responsibilities. The accreditation highlights practical workplace support including carers’ leave guidance and the introduction of a voluntary Carer’s Plan to help staff and managers have open conversations about caring responsibilities.
Now, the council and Greenwich Carers Centre are encouraging employers across Greenwich to follow suit and become accredited, helping to improve support for unpaid carers in workplaces throughout the borough.
The accreditation process is simple and free, beginning with a short consultation with Greenwich Carers Centre to explore how organisations can better support carers in their workforce.
The campaign also encourages local residents who are unpaid carers, or who know someone with caring responsibilities, to speak to their employers about becoming Carer-Inclusive Workplace accredited.
Carers Week 2026 focuses on the national theme, ‘Building Carer Friendly Communities’, highlighting the important role employers, organisations and communities can play in recognising and supporting unpaid carers.
We spoke to some carers in Greenwich about what a carer friendly community means to them. Watch the video here.
Councillor Mariam Lolavar, Cabinet Member for Health, Adult Social Care and Communities, said:
“Unpaid carers make an enormous contribution to our communities every single day, often while balancing work and other responsibilities. Becoming a Carer-Inclusive Workplace is a practical way for organisations to recognise carers, support staff wellbeing and create more inclusive workplaces.
“We want businesses, charities and organisations across Greenwich to join us in becoming Carer-Inclusive accredited and helping to build a borough where carers feel understood, valued and supported.
“We’d also encourage local residents to start conversations in their own workplaces about the accreditation and the difference it could make for carers.”
Stuart Tattersall, Chief Executive at Greenwich Carers Centre, said:
“Too many unpaid carers struggle to balance work and caring responsibilities, with many reducing hours or leaving employment altogether because they do not receive the support they need.
“The Carer-Inclusive Workplace Accreditation helps organisations recognise carers within their workforce and put practical support in place. We’re encouraging businesses across Greenwich to get involved and help create a more supportive borough for unpaid carers.”
“Carers Week is an important time for carers, and all of us who support carers. This year's theme - building carer friendly communities, echoes the ethos of Greenwich Carers Centre, and the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Taking a partnership roadshow out across the borough to mark carers week, enables us to really connect to the communities we serve."
As part of Carers Week, Greenwich Carers Centre is holding a roadshow across the borough from Monday to Thursday, providing carers with information, advice and support in local communities.
Council representatives will attend the event in General Gordon Square, Woolwich on Tuesday, where residents and local organisations can find out more about becoming a Carer-Inclusive Workplace. We will also be asking carers to share their experiences with us for a video and discuss what a “carer friendly community” means to them.
The full roadshow details can be found below. No registration or sign up is required.
- Monday 8 June at The Greenwich Centre, from 12pm until 2pm
- Tuesday 9 June at General Gordon Square, Woolwich, 11am until 2pm
- Wednesday 10 June at Passey Place, Eltham, 11am until 2pm
- Thursday 11 June at Abbey Wood Library, 12pm until 3pm
- Friday 12 June at Greenwich Carers Centre, Charlton, 11am until 3pm
The Carers Centre will be ending the roadshow on Friday with a traditional garden party with live music, magicians, craft stall, and barbeque. To attend this, please email activities@greenwichcarers.org.
Businesses and organisations interested in becoming accredited can contact Greenwich Carers Centre to arrange a 30-minute consultation. Find out more.
Residents can also access the ‘Our Greenwich, Our Carers’ guide, which provides information about local support services, wellbeing advice, financial guidance and community resources available across the borough.
This week, the council will also be launching a new dedicated Young Carers Support Guide for under-18s with caring responsibilities.
For more information about support for carers in Greenwich, including how to get a carers assessment, visit our website.