Our National Inclusion Week is drawing to a close. The BAME network met yesterday (Wednesday) as part of the week of events, with colleagues from our neighbouring councils and also West Yorkshire and Harrogate Partnership attending. Here's what happened there, and a round-up of the week so far.

Nikki Hosty, Freedom to Speak up Guardian / EDI Manager, said "There was once again a great turn out for the BAME network and we also invited colleagues from our neighbouring councils along". 

As it's Inclusion Week, the meeting was opened by playing the Candy Dance challenge video. Colleagues were asked how it made them – ‘we should have this every month’, ‘great’, ‘fantastic’  were some of the responses.

Then Catering Hostess, Theresa Roach sharing her own journey at CHFT and what difference the support from the BAME network community has made to her employee experience.

Keenan Simpson from Workforce and OD asked colleagues from the audience if they wanted to ask him any questions in respect of his progression in two years from an apprentice to a Band 3 - he is loving it and feels he has loads of support from his colleagues.

A video was played from the ‘West Yorkshire & Harrogate Health Care Partnership meeting’ where Owen discussed some of the BAME health/representation challenges faced in our local communities and some of the good work carried out regionally from NHS providors. In particular, the good CHFT work that included signposting/creating awareness around health services,  the moving forward programme, reciprocal mentoring, coaching, interview panalists. Essentially, what role can our BAME network play in supporting the community that we serve.

In a new approach, a Q&A panel session was held with Assistant Director of Human Resources, Azizen Khan, Owen and Nikki where they discussed amongst other things BAME branding, Freedom to Speak up, how we can shout more about the BAME network, problems with managers releasing them from duty to attend these meetings, how we can engage colleagues upon starting with us about what the BAME network offers and also discussion around Ask Owen.

There were also updates on the upcoming Donna Kinnear (CEO - Royal College of nursing) CHFT visit in November, and the BAME Health Care Awards.

Nikki, added "The energy in the room was great. You can really tell what this forum means to people and also pride in what the network has achieved since it was formed

"There was lots of debate and lots to discuss. This forum is open to all so if you want to see what it's all about join us on  Weds 18th December at 1pm for our next meeting. We'll be in the learning centre at HRI. You can read about that and more about BAME here. 

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Here's a round-up of CHFT's Inclusion Week activity:

The theme this year is 'Everday Inclusion' and this has been threaded through the activities planned this week.

Nikki, said "Everday Inclusion is all about 'seek first to understand'. Respectfully ask people about their lived experiences, ask about how this has impacted them both personally and professionally and finally ask how we can support one another going forward. The greater our awareness the better we can work together to get results."

Our events have included:

• Transgender Awareness, building our understanding to help us limit our assumptions and learn how we can support the trans commnity
• Launch of the NHS Rainbow pin badge - have you got what it takes to be an LGBTQ champion?
• Beads of Hope’ (Faith session) is inspired by the traditional use of beads of faith, extending wider to encompass people of all faiths, religious denominations or none.  It aims to bring together people from all backgrounds, culture and beliefs sharing love and celebrating unity the common thread of humanity on which we string our relationships, life experiences, our thoughts, dreams and hopes for the future cross all boundaries.
• We have hosted community organisations at HRI and CRH at our Community Marketplace, where these organisations can spread the word regards how they support our local community to patients and colleagues
• Two project search interns have been shadowing me this week, learning what a Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Manager does and supporting National Inclusion Week activities
• Lets Talk About Race was really impactful, two BAME colleagues shared their lived experiences regarding how their race has impacted their life both professionally and personally, we talked about the assumptions that people have and how the BAME Network has really given colleagues a platform to support and encourage one another.
• The BAME network invited other equality groups into their meeting so we can share best practice
• Introduction to Sign Language took place in Broad Street and Mindfulness sessions took place in HRI. Health Improvement Lead for Sexual Services, Steven Searby said of the session " This went really well and seemed to be very much enjoyed by all.  Lots to take in and no way I'll remember it all but there's a few key phrases and certainly a greater appreciation of the complexity of BSL! Never occurred to me there would be different dialects."

If you were unable to attend any of these sessions, don't worry you haven't missed out.

We are going to deliver an inclusion roadshow in 2020 where inclusion activities come to you. If you would be interested in hosting an inclusion activity in your workplace/team meeting/huddle/get together I'd love to hear from you Nicola.hosty@cht.nhs.uk