18 June 2024

During Carers Week 2024, CNWL launched our first Carers Charter.

This charter was developed with unpaid carers and patients, and outlines our commitment to carers across the Trust and how we will recognise, involve and support them in their caring role.

Download a copy of the CNWL Carers Charter (opens PDF)

The charter has six key principles that CNWL pledges to meet:

  • Recognising and valuing carers
  • Highlighting support in the community
  • Supporting carers’ wellbeing
  • Working together with carers
  • Supporting young carers
  • Doing our best to get it right

These principles aren’t new, but are core processes and behaviours which should be business as usual, especially as CNWL is committed to the Triangle of Care. The charter is a pledge to involve carers and a way for them to hold CNWL to account, encouraging them to speak up when this might not be happening in practice.

An event was held during Carers’ Week at Trust Headquarters to launch the new Charter, with attendance and support from carers, staff and senior leaders including Chief Executive, Claire Murdoch (pictured with Ann Smith, Chair of CNWL's Carers Council below). 

Graeme Caul, Chief Operating Officer said:

“The benefits of involving and supporting unpaid carers are significant and as a Trust it’s essential we all get on board with this. Please help us put carers on the map.”

If you’re a carer and you feel you are not being listened to, or would like to share feedback on your experience, please contact our Patient Feedback and Complaints Service on feedback.cnwl@nhs.net or 0300 013 4799.

If you have any questions about the Charter or how we involve carers at CNWL, please contact involvement.cnwl@nhs.net

To access resources and information for carers, please visit our website: https://cnwl.franktesting.co.uk/patients-and-carers/information-carers

Celebrating Carers Week: Hillingdon Mental Health Carers Project

During Carers Week we celebrated the new collaboration between CNWL and Hillingdon Mind supporting mental health carers in the Hillingdon community.

Kathryn Lock, Carers Engagement Lead for CNWL’s Hillingdon Community Mental Health Hubs and Hillingdon Mind, offers a detailed overview of the project in the video below, explaining its mission and the tailored support designed to meet the diverse needs of carers.

In conversation with Advanced Lived Experience Practitioner, Oscar Patton-Lyons, she talks about the Triangle of Care framework and the importance of integrating carers' voices and experiences into mental health support systems.

The video also guides viewers through the referral process, showing the journey a carer can expect when engaging with the project. Kathryn discusses the challenges and barriers faced, including the difficulty of some individuals to identify as carers.

Kathryn outlines the future goals, and shares how individuals and organisations can better support mental health carers. She shares personal stories and discusses the most rewarding aspects of working on this initiative.

Earlier this week, Kathryn held a stall at the Riverside Centre to talk about the project with staff, service users and carers. Riverside Centre is part of CNWL’s mental health services in Hillingdon and houses adult inpatient wards for people with acute mental health problems.

For more information about the project, and to get involved, contact Kathryn Lock at: kathryn.lock@nhs.net