AN AYRSHIRE MSP has applauded the 10th anniversary of a scheme which encourages organisations to support carers through employment.

Elena Whitham, the SNP MSP for Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley attended an event in the Scottish Parliament which recognised the anniversary of the Carer Positive awards scheme.

This project, run by Carers Scotland, engages with employers to help them build workplace support for members of staff who have caring responsibilities in their home lives.

Employers committed to this support can then be recognised with a Carer Positive award and can move up through the award tiers as this support grows and develops.

Research from 2019 showed that 600 carers across the UK leave employment every day to care, so support which allows them to stay in work can be hugely valuable.

Employment allows carers to be more financially stable, while also providing respite and opportunities to socialise and spend time outside of their caring role.

More than 270 organisations have now been recognised with a Carer Positive award and almost half a million employees are now represented within these workplaces.

Ms Whitham said: “I am thrilled to see the positive impact that Carer Positive has had on both employers and working carers in Scotland over the past 10 years and look forward to seeing how this will continue to grow and develop as we look to the future.

“As a carer positive employer myself, I know how valuable the scheme is to promoting good working practices.

“I would urge employers to sign up to the scheme and support carers in employment.”