Barclays PLC – Finalist 2021, Best Family Network

The Barclays Working Families Network helps staff members with the challenges of balancing family, life and work. It is one of the largest and oldest in the organisation, with 150 ambassadors who raise awareness of the network with other colleagues.

Peer support groups include Single Parents, Pregnancy and Toddler (& beyond), Dads Matter, Shielding Support and Return from Maternity Leave.

A range of expert-led webinars provide support on topics such as home schooling, parenting, mental health, reaching success in part-time jobs and children’s health and wellbeing.

A monthly newsletter includes personal stories from colleagues, peer support, signposting to extra training, and events and seminars.

The network provides exciting sessions for children and young people, such as teaching basic coding in the school holidays. The organisation’s ‘Bring Your Teen to Work’ days provide skills in being interviewed, money skills, internet and email, building confidence and increasing resilience.

‘Bring Your Child to Work’ days happen around Christmas and enable working parents to introduce their children to the workplace with fun seasonal activities like arts and crafts, magic shows and soft play.

The Working Families Network has hosted 29 virtual events during the pandemic, benefitting around 5,500 colleagues.