Employment, Training, Education and Leisure Activities

Better access to employment, training, education and leisure activities for Carers accross the city Birmingham

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The Opening Doors Project has been developed by Crossroads and non-paid Carers through a research project designed to identify the Training, Employment and Leisure needs of carers and identify the barriers to participation. 

Do you help someone on a regular basis who, without that help, would struggle to get through the day or week? Do you have a child, spouse or partner with a disability or illness who relies on you for some elements of day-to-day care?

If you have answered yes to either of those questions, chances are, you often struggle to do things that other people take for granted such as going swimming, getting a qualification or holding down a job.

At Opening Doors our aim is to help Carers to achieve their goals in any aspect of Employment, Training, Education and Leisure Activities (ETELA’s).  Whether you are a carer who is already involved in these activities or would like to find out more about starting something new – we are here to help.As we work in partnership with a number of organisations across the city, we are in an ideal position to offer the support to access services that Carers want and need. Our flexible approach to service provision includes face to face, phone or online this allows us to provide access to up-to-date and accurate information in the way that individual Carers are most comfortable with.We work in partnership with other Carer organisations to support Employers and Service Providers who wish to become more Carer aware and Carer friendly showing that they appreciate Carers as valuable employees and service users.Opening Doors work WITH Carers to develop a training provision that is accessible to ‘all’ Carers in Birmingham that is based on aspiration as well as need.

Call us if you are a Carer that would like information or support to …

…take part in education

…take part in leisure activities

…remain in employment

…return to employment

…apply for a job

…create or update your CV

…attend an interview for Job, Colleges or Universities

…or anything else

Call us if you are an employer or service provider that would like to …

            …become more Carer aware

            …become more Carer friendly

            …learn how to attract new Carers to join your workforce

            …support in retaining Carers who already work for you

…have information and tips on how to attract more Carers to use your services

We provide a service that is impartial and confidential in an environment that is welcoming, friendly and supportive.

If you are a Carer or a service provider that would like to attract more carers or become carer aware, please contact our friendly staff team on …

Jane - 0121 675 8161 or Chris - 0121 675 3440

Mondays, Tuesdays or Wednesday’s:  10.00 am until 4.00pm

Or 0121 449 1485 Outside those times

Email: info@openingdoorsforcarers.org.uk

Call in at - The Carers Centre, 130 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 3AP

"WE WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU"

Some Facts about Carers

Carers are entitled to request flexible working hours

Around 570,000 people (nationally) combine work with caring more than 20 hours a week

Around 80% of Carers say that their own health is affected by their caring role

Many Carers find themselves forced to give up work due to a lack of care services or flexible employment