Cambridgeshire Libraries has had its Carer Friendly Tick Award (Communities) renewed, in recognition of continued commitment to identifying, supporting and raising awareness of unpaid carers.
Cambridgeshire County Council has 33 libraries and three mobile libraries across the county which are supported by a dedicated and passionate library team who provide welcoming and accessible spaces at the heart of local communities.
The panel of carers, who assessed the submission from Cambridgeshire Libraries on behalf of Caring Together Charity, were impressed by the range of work being done across the libraries, the consistency of support and the impact that this has on both carers and those they care for.
The panel commended the network of dedicated carers champions, who represent different areas of the service and demonstrate a strong organisational commitment to supporting unpaid carers. Each champion covers a geographical area within Cambridgeshire and plays a key role in sharing information to frontline colleagues across the county.
Library employees have attended Carers Awareness sessions delivered by Caring Together, with additional learning opportunities made available to enable the whole team to access training.
Libraries were praised for the excellent standard of information and signposting available to carers, with one panellist describing it as 'brilliant to see how you have brought carers to the shelves’.
Each library holds a reference copy of Caring Together’s Caring magazine, alongside free copies for people to take home, helping carers access information in their own time. Leaflets are in all the libraries and can help people identify themselves as carers.
The panel also awarded Cambridgeshire Libraries an ‘excellent’ rating for raising awareness of carers. This recognised the promotion of national and local carers’ campaigns through library displays, social media, events and the libraries e‑newsletter, which reaches over 35,000 residents.
Cllr Alison Whelan, Chair of Cambridgeshire County Council’s Communities, Social Mobility and Inclusion Committee, said: “I am extremely proud of our dedicated libraries team who thoroughly deserve this award. Libraries are trusted, welcoming spaces where library employees have informal contact with residents every day. That can be a step in helping someone recognise themselves as a carer and realising that support is available.
“By hosting regular events, activities and meetings in libraries across the county, carers can build strong and supportive connections locally, access information, and take time for themselves in a supportive and friendly environment.
“Our library colleagues take great pride in being approachable, empathetic and well‑informed. This award reflects the care and commitment they show to their communities every day, supporting all library users, and especially carers, to live full and healthy lives.”
Jill Nooij, Caring Together Charity's carer awareness and voice lead, said: "It has been a pleasure working with the library service, whose commitment to identifying and supporting carers is firmly embedded within local communities."
Caring Together Charity is a regional charity supporting unpaid carers across Cambridgeshire, Peterborough and Norfolk. The charity provides information, practical guidance, emotional support and dedicated services to help carers manage the demands of their role. Caring Together works to ensure unpaid carers are recognised, valued and supported throughout their caring journey. For more information, visit www.caringtogether.org
