Cornwall Carers Service
Know Your Rights as a Working Carer
Our Comprehensive Guide to Employment Rights and Support
Looking after someone while working can be challenging. Find out what your rights are as a working carer and how to access support.
Carers in Cornwall: Key Statistics
50,000
Unpaid Carers in Cornwall
50,000
Cornwall Residents with a Disability
5%
Provide 20+ Hours Of Care Per Week
40%
Of Carers Have Given Up Work
About Caring in Cornwall
Cornwall has one of the highest caring populations in England. Approximately 50,000 people in Cornwall provide unpaid care — that's nearly 1 in 10 Cornish residents aged 5 and over. With 21.1% of Cornwall's population affected by disability (approximately 120,000 people) — one of the highest rates in England — and an ageing population, caring is a reality for many Cornish families.
The intensity of caring in Cornwall is also significant, with 5% of the population providing high levels of care (20 or more hours per week). An additional 2,426 people are now providing care for between 20 and 49 hours per week compared to previous years, showing the increasing demands on Cornish carers.
Who Can Attend?
This event is open to all unpaid carers in Cornwall, including:
Those caring for a family member or friend with a physical or mental illness
Those supporting someone with a disability
Those caring for someone with addiction issues
Young carers and young adult carers (aged 16-25)
Parent carers of children with additional needs
Anyone providing unpaid care and support
All ages are welcome at this inclusive event.
Venue Information
Shire Hall Suite, Bodmin
Address: Mount Folly Square, Bodmin, Cornwall, PL31 2DQ, United Kingdom
Getting There
By Car: The Shire Hall is located in central Bodmin with accessible parking available nearby.
By Public Transport: Bodmin Parkway railway station is approximately 3 miles from the venue. Local bus services run regularly to Mount Folly Square.
Accessibility: The venue is accessible for wheelchair users. If you have specific accessibility requirements, please contact us in advance.
What Your Day Will Look Like
10:30 - 11:00 AM | Arrive & Breathe
Come in from the cold, grab a hot tea or coffee, and ease into the day. No rush, no pressure, just a warm welcome and the chance to meet other carers as you settle in.
11:00 - 11:30 AM | Knowledge That Empowers
Hear from professionals who can actually help. You'll learn about Cornwall Carers Service's Strategy and meet an Admiral Nurse who specialises in dementia care support. These aren't lengthy lectures, they're practical insights that could make a real difference to your situation.
11:30 AM - 12:00 PM | Stories That Inspire
Listen to fellow carers share their lived experiences. These are real stories from people who've walked in your shoes, the challenges they've faced, what's helped them, and the moments that keep them going. You'll laugh, you might tear up, and you'll definitely feel less alone.
12:00 - 12:30 PM | Proper Cornish Lunch
Enjoy a delicious Cornish pasty lunch (because you deserve a proper meal that someone else prepared!). Dietary requirements? Just let us know when you book.
12:30 - 2:00 PM | Choose Your Own Wellness Adventure
This is where the day becomes truly special. Choose from a variety of activities designed to help you relax, recharge, and reconnect with yourself:
Hand Massage - Let tension melt away with a soothing hand massage. When did someone last take care of you?
Wellbeing Sessions - Learn practical techniques to manage stress and prioritise your own health
Chair Yoga - Gentle movement that's accessible for all fitness levels. Release the physical tension that caring creates
Art Class - Express yourself creatively. No experience needed—just the freedom to create something beautiful
Singing Session - Raise your voice and your spirits. Music is proven to lift mood and create connection
Move between activities as you wish, or settle into one that speaks to you. This is your time—spend it however feels right.
Why This Event Could Be Exactly What You Need
🤝 You'll Feel Understood
Walk into a room where you don't have to explain what it's like. Where others know the guilt you feel about taking time for yourself, the exhaustion that goes bone-deep, and the love that keeps you going. You'll meet carers who get it, because they're living it too.
💡 You'll Discover Support You Didn't Know Existed
There's help out there that could make your life easier, but finding it when you're already stretched thin? Nearly impossible. This event brings the support services to you. No endless phone calls, no forms to track down, just real people ready to help you access the support you deserve.
☕ You'll Actually Get To Sit Down
When did you last have a cup of tea that you actually drank while it was still hot? Enjoy complimentary refreshments, take a moment to just be, and let someone else take care of you for a change.
💪 You'll Leave Feeling Less Alone
Caring can be isolating. This event is your chance to connect with a community who sees you, values you, and reminds you that you don't have to carry everything by yourself.
The Carers Leave Act
Complete guide to your statutory right to one week of unpaid leave per year. Learn who qualifies, how to request leave, and what protections you have.
Support & Resources
Access support organisations, helplines, and resources to help you balance work and caring responsibilities.
Flexible Working Rights
Understand your right to request flexible working arrangements from day one. Explore different types of flexibility and how to make a successful request.
Statutory & Contractual Rights
Detailed breakdown of your legal rights as a working carer, including protections against discrimination and unfair dismissal.
Time Off For Dependants
Know your rights to take time off for emergencies involving dependants. Learn what qualifies as an emergency and how much time you can take.
Information For Employers
Guidance for employers on how to support carers in the workplace and create a carer-friendly culture.
The Challenges of Working and Caring
Many employees with caring responsibilities can feel isolated at work, especially if colleagues don’t fully understand the demands of a caring role. Caring is often unpredictable and difficult to fit around a paid job.
Because of this, some carers reduce their hours—or even leave work altogether—to provide the support their loved one needs. Others may need to find more flexible employment.
These decisions can have a big impact. Financially, leaving or reducing work can make life more difficult. Emotionally, giving up a job you enjoy—and that supports your own wellbeing—can also be a real loss.
Your Rights as a Working Carer
If you want to stay in work while caring, there are steps you can take to help manage both roles.
As an informal carer, you have statutory rights (set out in law and applying to everyone), as well as contractual rights (specific to your own employment contract). Knowing these rights can make it easier to balance work and caring responsibilities.
[Find out more about statutory and contractual rights for working carers]
[Information for employers: how to support carers in the workplace]
