Leonardo Carer Support are proud to be a Carer Friendly Employer

At Leonardo Carer Support, we are committed to supporting carers inside and out – and that includes recognising and supporting carers within our own team.

We are proud to be celebrating our recent achievement of the Employer Commitment Mark, awarded by Forward Carers.

Forward Carers recognised Leonardo Carer Support for its outstanding commitment to supporting employees with caring responsibilities in Dorset, as part of its nationwide workplace programme.

Going beyond statutory requirements, Leonardo Carer Support has introduced a comprehensive offer of paid carers’ leave for all staff with caring responsibilities. This demonstrates a clear and meaningful commitment to helping working carers balance their professional and personal lives.

The award was presented during a warm and inspiring meeting with CEO Donna Blache and members of the team. The conversation provided an opportunity to share lived experiences as working carers and to highlight the importance of enabling employees to thrive in the workplace while managing vital responsibilities at home.

Rachel Close, Programme Manager at Forward Carers, said:
“Working carers should never feel they have to choose between their job and the person they care for. Employment offers so much more than a salary – it provides professional identity, job satisfaction, social connection, and often valuable respite and space away from caring responsibilities. Employers like Leonardo Carer Support are showing how thoughtful policies can make this balance possible.”

The discussion with Donna and her team was described as both thoughtful and energising, reflecting a shared passion for improving opportunities and support for working carers.

“We had such an inspiring conversation that we wished we had recorded it,” Rachel added.

Leonardo Carer Support has also taken practical steps to embed support across the organisation. These include training a designated Carer Champion to advocate for colleagues and offering free training space to Forward Carers to help engage and support other employers looking to strengthen their support for working carers.

“Donna and her team prove that you can be a small organisation and still have a big impact,” Rachel said. “Their leadership is a powerful example of how employers can create positive change for working carers.”

Forward Carers looks forward to building on this partnership and continuing to work together to inspire other employers to follow Leonardo Carer Support’s example.

Employee testimonial:

“As a carer for my fifteen-year-old child who has ASD, anxiety, and depression, I have been very grateful for the support offered to me as an employee of Leonardo Carer Support.

The flexibility in my working hours, alongside the ability to take carers’ leave, has been invaluable. It has enabled me to support my child while continuing to carry out my role at work.

Remaining in my position at LCS has been incredibly important for my mental health and has also helped me avoid additional financial pressures. The support I’ve received has significantly eased the challenges of balancing these important areas of my life.”