We spoke to two colleagues about their experiences, and how support, flexibility and understanding helped them balance work with caring responsibilities.
Trigger warning: This article discusses topics including premature birth and neurological conditions. If these topics affect you, you may wish to refrain from reading further.
Support when it matters most
Caring responsibilities look different for everyone. For some, it’s supporting parents or family members. For others, it’s navigating unexpected journeys into parenthood.
As part of our Moments that Matter, we’re focused on supporting our people through the experiences that shape their lives, inside and outside of work.
That means creating an environment where flexibility, trust and understanding make a meaningful difference when it matters most.
Spotlight on kinship care
For Kajal Patel, caring isn’t something abstract, it’s personal.
Alongside her sister, Kajal supports both of her parents. From managing hospital appointments to helping with day-to-day routines, caring often means putting her own needs second.
“I understand how overwhelming caring for someone can be, it often leads to neglecting your own wellbeing,” she says.
“There were times I felt stretched thin, trying to be present at work while also being emotionally available at home.”
Kajal works in the Quality Assurance team within Compliance and Risk, where she focuses on maintaining the quality of her team’s output for clients. She credits the support around her, including training resources and regular team check-ins, for helping her balance both roles.
Her experience inspired her to join the Let’s Care Together Befriender Programme, delivered through Business in the Community.
The programme pairs volunteers with carers for six one-hour sessions, offering something simple but powerful: connection.
“My first experience supporting a carer was eye-opening. It made me realise how much responsibility carers carry and how it can affect their mental health.”
Kajal completed a one-day virtual training session and receives ongoing support from a dedicated mentor. The programme also fits easily into the working day, with support from her team.
“It was made clear the sessions would happen during working hours, and my team was aware and supportive.”
For Kajal, the impact comes from simply being present.
“Sometimes, just listening is enough. Knowing someone is there, it can mean everything.”
Her message to others is simple:
“If you’re thinking about joining, go for it. It’s a chance to connect, support and learn.”
Parenting through uncertainty
When Kayleigh Aldridge, an Audit Manager, had her daughter born prematurely and diagnosed with a neurological condition, everything changed overnight.
Instead of the maternity leave she had imagined, Kayleigh’s early months as a parent were filled with hospital visits, tube feeding and physiotherapy.
Returning to work brought new challenges, but also support.
With her people manager, Kayleigh agreed a flexible nine day fortnight, giving her the ability to balance work with caring for her daughter.
“I wasn’t ready for maternity leave to end. It felt like I never truly got that special time with my daughter,” she says.
“The flexibility allowed me to take my daughter to her physiotherapy sessions.”
At times, returning to work felt isolating.
“The usual conversations about sleep deprivation and childcare felt like they belonged to a different world. I would nod, smile, and laugh, but it didn’t reflect my reality.”
What made the difference was the understanding around her.
Her team created a culture of trust, and her daughter’s nursery adapted too, training staff to support nasogastric (NG) tube feeding, helping make day-to-day life more manageable.
“The trust within the team made all the difference. It was simply understood that I would manage my time and deliver.
The culture around parental leave and return-to-work support here is genuinely fantastic.”
For Kayleigh, that flexibility isn’t just helpful, it’s essential.
Supporting our carers
Caring for someone can bring many different experiences, and no two journeys are the same.
Whether someone is new to caring or has been doing it for some time, the need for support can change along the way. That’s why we focus on creating an environment where our people feel supported, both practically and emotionally, through every stage of their journey.
Flexibility that reflects real life
Caring responsibilities don’t always follow a fixed pattern. Some situations are long term, while others arise unexpectedly. Through flexible working and open conversations with people managers, we support our people to balance work and care in a way that works for them.
Open conversations and understanding
We encourage our people to talk openly about their circumstances and the support they might need. Whether that’s adjusting priorities or taking time when it’s needed, we believe no one should feel they have to navigate caring alone.
Let’s Care Together programme
Through our partnership with Business in the Community, we support the Let’s Care Together programme, providing virtual befriending services designed to reduce isolation and create meaningful connection for carers.
Because when it comes to caring, the right support can make all the difference, in the moments that matter.