Support for Carers
The University of Exeter is committed to supporting all colleagues with caring responsibilities to achieve a good work-life balance. This page brings together all the relevant guidance and support for carers in one place, in collaboration with our staff Parents and Carers Networks.
For more information about support for students with caring responsibilities, please visit the dedicated Student Carers support pages.
If you have any queries, comments or suggestions, please contact EDI@exeter.ac.uk
There are a range of policies and teams at the university to support colleagues with caring responsibilities, including:
- Carer's Leave
- Colleague Wellbeing
- Compassionate Leave
- Emergency Leave
- Flexible Working
- Occupational Health
- Spectrum Life (Employee Assistance Programme)
There are several external organisations offering support and advice for carers, both nationwide and locally within Devon and Cornwall:
Nationwide:
- Carers UK
- Carers Trust
- Supporting yourself while caring for someone (Mind)
- COVID-19: Guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk (GOV.UK)
Devon:
- Devon Carers
- Information for Carers (Devon County Council)
- Devon Children and Families Partnership: Support for Young Carers
- Esteem Team (Support for Parent/Carers of children with additional needs and/or who struggle with their mental health)
Cornwall:
- Cornwall Carers Service
- Caring for a family member or someone close to you (Cornwall Council)
- Cornwall's Family Information Service
- Promas - support for unpaid carers in Cornwall
Caring for children with a long-term illness or disability:
Healthy Parent Carers
The Healthy Parent Carers programme was inspired by and developed together with parent carers from the Family Faculty in the Peninsula Cerebra Research Unit (PenCRU) based in the University of Exeter Medical School. It aims to improve health and wellbeing among parents of children with additional needs and disabilities through:
- Promoting greater empowerment, resilience and confidence of parent carers;
- Taking small steps that are associated with better health and wellbeing;
- Encouraging setting achievable goals and taking a problem-solving approach;
- Providing information through a group programme or online resources.
IDEAL: Improving the Experience of Dementia and Enhancing Active Life
IDEAL is the largest study of living well with dementia in the UK. The evidence will enable the development of new policy, interventions and initiatives to transform the lives of people with dementia and their carers. The programme has recently published guidance for people with dementia and carers which offers ways of staying well during the coronavirus lockdown. The five key messages for staying well can be found here.
On Thursday 20 November, we proudly mark Carers Rights Day 2025 and this year, the theme is “Know your rights, use your rights.” This national campaign highlights the 5.8 million unpaid carers across the UK, many of whom balance care with study, work and personal commitments. At Exeter, we recognise the vital role carers play in our community and reaffirm our commitment to supporting them.
Devon Carers are hosting a range of Information and Advice Awareness stands throughout Devon on Thursday 20 November, including stands at Exeter Library and the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital. Visit their website to find out more.
Find out more about Carers Rights Day on the Carers UK website.