Carers Week 2018

This week Royal Mail is supporting Carers Week, an annual campaign to raise awareness of caring, highlight the challenges carers face, and recognise the contribution they make to families and communities throughout the UK.

Around 6.5 million people in the UK are carers, looking after a parent, partner, child or friend. This total includes the estimated three million working carers in the UK currently, that’s one in nine in every workplace and that figure is set to rise in the future.

A carer is someone who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health problem or who needs extra help as they grow older.

Carers can have responsibilities that include practical and emotional support, physical help, personal care, financial matters and more, all while maintaining a life of their own, so it is unsurprising that at times this can result in additional stress and strain.

Throughout this week, we will be bringing you some inspiring stories of colleagues who combine working for Royal Mail with caring for others.

Today, customer service manager Maria Bancroft, who leads the stamps and collectibles and address management units within Doxford contact centre in Sunderland, shares her experience as a carer.

‘I have worked for Royal Mail for just over 20 years now, having started my career as a customer service advisor,’ said Maria. ‘As well as working full-time I am also a carer for my 25-year-old daughter Jane who has a condition called Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects brain development, resulting in severe mental and physical disability.

‘I had my interview for Royal Mail on the day Jane started special needs school. When I got the job I was delighted but also apprehensive about how I was going to make it all work. My husband was a firefighter and worked shifts so I knew there would be a lot of organising involved. My son went to a childminder but there wasn’t one living locally who could care for Jane’s specific needs.

‘I think a lot of carers are very proud and believe that we shouldn’t ask for help, especially work wise. I really found that difficult because I thought that if I took the job I should be able to do the same as everyone else e.g. covering later shifts etc. I also didn’t really talk about Jane to very many people, so not everyone knew my situation back then. Sometimes when you tell people about your home life they feel sorry for you and I found that particularly difficult, as Jane is a gorgeous happy girl (most of the time!) who just needs 24/7 care.

‘When I was promoted to team leader I became part of a new exciting campaign but it was difficult for me as it was open 8am-9.30pm and that was probably the most stressed I have ever felt at work. It was absolutely my own fault as I was too proud to admit that I was struggling with the hours and trying to fit everything around my husband’s shifts. My manager at the time asked me if everything was okay and that’s when I opened up.

‘I was upset because I felt that not being able to cover the hours of the campaign meant putting pressure on my colleagues. My manager was fantastic, she explained that my circumstances would be looked upon as exceptional and asked me to come up with a shift plan that would work for me and my family. She also explained what was happening to my colleagues who were brilliant about the whole thing. I went home with a smile that day! I felt a huge weight had been lifted and I could concentrate on my work, rather than worry about it.

‘That was a long time ago and a lot has gone on with my daughter since then, she developed epilepsy and I have to attend specialist appointments as well as be at home sometimes when she is ill. It’s never a problem. I have had a few managers and each one of them has supported me through the different stages with Jane.

‘It’s been difficult emotionally at times but I am very thankful that I work for Royal Mail. I really love my job. However, I know that if I didn’t have the support of a fantastic organisation, managers and colleagues I would never be where I am today. If I could give anyone in my situation any advice it would be to talk to your manager or colleagues - don’t bottle things up because people genuinely want to support you, if you let them!’

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Parents & Carers

Please visit the Parent & Carers steering group homepage to read more about the work the group is doing, and access a range of resources available to support you if you are caring for others.

If you would like to share your story, learn more or get involved, please contact us at parents.and.carers@royalmail.com.

Click here to find out more about Carers Week and how you can get involved.