The Carers' Network was established in 2020 to bring staff together in a welcoming space to support each other, share experiences and information, and feedback to the University on relevant matters.

The lunch, held in the Isdell Courtyard, included a short welcome from Mr Conor Curran, Head of Diversity and Inclusion at Queen's, and Dr Lisa Bradley, Senior Lecturer (Education) in Finance at Queen's Management School, as well as a speech by an unpaid carer.

Members of the Carers' Network enjoyed their first face-to-face event since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the chance to meet with familiar faces and names from the number of virtual sessions and catch-ups the network has hosted during the pandemic.

Speaking about the Carers' Network Lunch, Mr Conor Curran said:

"I'm delighted we have been able to host a lunch to formally launch the Carers' Network at Queen's, and to welcome the members of the Carers' Network in person to enjoy a good meal in the beautiful surroundings of Riddel Hall, and to meet and share conversation with others who also balance caring with their roles at Queen's.

"The Carers' Network offers a great peer resource for those working carers balancing the demands of care and support of others with their roles at Queen's, and feedback from the network has and continues to provide us with a valuable understanding of how caring can impact, and what the University can do to support working carers at Queen's."

Welcoming all working carers, Dr Lisa Bradley acknowledged that the role of a carer is often an unexpected and significant role in addition to any carer's full or part-time job for the University, and spoke about the importance and value of the network in helping the University to understand the impact of caring on work, and what can be done to support carers further at Queen's.

 

How to join the Carers' Network

If you care and support a disabled, elderly or sick relative or friend, and would like to join the Carers' Network, please email eqdiv@qub.ac.uk.

For more advice and information for Carers visit the Carers webpage.