Welcome to another episode of Solve and Thrive

In today’s episode, Pam turns her attention to a vital yet often overlooked topic: supporting carers in the workplace. As thousands of people across the UK juggle employment with caring for loved ones, it’s never been more important for managers to understand how they can make a real difference.

Joining Pam is Charlie Beswick, an award-winning trainer, speaker, and passionate ally for carers. Charlie is both a parent carer and a leader in the SEND (Special Educational Needs and Disability) community, having founded not-for-profit and consultancy organisations dedicated to supporting parents and carers through challenging circumstances. Her lived experience as a carer to her son Harry, who has complex medical and developmental needs, uniquely positions Charlie to offer authentic, practical wisdom for leaders looking to foster inclusion and well-being at work.

In this episode, Pam and Charlie dive into the realities carers face day-to-day, navigating crisis moments, the emotional weight of responsibility, and the challenges of balancing work commitments. Charlie shares her journey from denial and grief to community leader, and highlights how self-care is essential for carers as well as those leading them.

Charlie presents her top five practical tips for managers seeking to support carers among their staff. She reveals why many employees with caring responsibilities may not even identify as “carers,” and explores the importance of approaching staff absences with curiosity and empathy, rather than judgement. Pam and Charlie discuss the role of boundaries—both in demonstrating respectful leadership and in setting standards for healthier communications and expectations within teams.

From fostering an environment of trust and consistent follow-through, to the simple but meaningful act of remembering personal details about staff, this episode is filled with actionable ways for leaders to create an inclusive, psychologically safe culture. The conversation also extends beyond formal policies, encouraging managers to tap into their own personal circles and seek understanding, so they can truly see and support those balancing caring and work.

Whether you’re a manager, HR professional, or anyone keen on supporting carers, Charlie’s tips and heartfelt perspective offer a brilliant roadmap for making workplaces more compassionate, productive, and loyal.

Contact Information & Useful Resources

Connect with Charlie Beswick

LinkedIn: Charlie Beswick

Email: charlie@ouralteredlife.com

For organisational support and resources: www.ouralteredlife.com

For individual emotional wellbeing support: www.ouralteredlives.org

Key Takeaways & Resources Mentioned

• Carers UK: A national charity supporting unpaid carers carersuk.org
• Our Altered Life: Training, resources, and consultancy to support carers in the workplace and beyond.
• Our Altered Lives: Not-for-profit emotional support for parents at the point of diagnosis and beyond.
• ACAS Guidance: Best practice in supporting carers at work acas.org.uk
• CIPD: Resources on creating inclusive workplaces for carers cipd.co.uk

Disclaimer:

The Solve & Thrive podcast is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. We share practical strategies and lived experiences to help managers navigate challenging workplace situations, but you should always seek appropriate professional or legal guidance specific to your circumstances. As a manager, business owner, or HR professional, you are the expert on the unique context of the situation —so please do right by the individual circumstances. Our content and our guests contribution is intended as supportive tips and suggestions, not absolute solutions, and may not apply in every situation. Any legal or policy references discussed are accurate as of the date of recording and may not reflect current updates.