ENEI Award Ceremony 2018

July 12, 2018

Members of the LGBT Staff Network including allies attended the ENEI (Employers Network for Equality and Inclusion) Awards on July 10th 2018 at the Law Society in London.

The LGBT Staff Network were shortlisted for the Employee Network Group of the Year, unfortunately we did not win (beaten by The Department of Transport).

Dave Powell a Senior Charge Nurse working in the Emergency Department and member of the LGBT Staff Network said “It was interesting to hear innovative ideas that other organisations are implementing at the moment … only to realise that SWBH are also doing the same in formative stages!  I felt very Proud to represent the Trust and the LGBT Staff Network on a national stage and hear about the good work that we have accomplished being praised alongside such giants as IBM, AXA and The Department of Transport.”

In the Award Brochure it said “SWBH LGBT Staff Network has work tirelessly to help the Trust to create a culture where it is safe to be “out” as a staff member or patient, and to ensure a safe and inclusive environment for Trans staff and patients, thus allowing wider access to healthcare for a section of the population who historically do not always access healthcare provision at the point of need”

The culture of our organisation we believe has been changed by the work of the LGBT Staff Network in partnership with our other Staff Networks, this was clearly demonstrated to all of us recently on Social Media when a Doctor posted an image of their Trust ID badge and a Rainbow LGBT NHS badge and said “A pin badge I would not have had the courage to wear a year ago, thanks SWBH”.

We are #Proud to be a part of such an #Inclusive Trust and look forward to growing as a network and as an Diversity and Inclusion Team helping our organisation to be the Employer of Choice and promoting true Equality and Diversity of Thought.

Written by Stuart Young RN
Chair SWBH LGBT Staff Network & Head of Diversity and Inclusion