Introducing our Equity Diversity and Inclusion Champions
As a part of our Improvement Plan, GMMH (Greater Manchester Mental Health) Trust has rolled out a training programme available to staff called The Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champions Programme.
This programme is part of our wider Inclusive Cultures work being led by the Equality Diversity and Inclusion Team, which offers a range of training and development opportunities.
The Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Champions Programme is a 12-month intense course of training which covers active bystander theory, anti-racism, anti-homophobia, anti-transphobia, and neurodiversity in the workplace.
During the programme, participants explore these topics in-depth and supported by train the trainer sessions and individual coaching, they develop sessions to share what they have learnt to people in their own teams. The intention is to build capability within the organisation and spread the knowledge and learning they have acquired from the programme across the organisation, bringing together a community of staff to act as change agents and create a shift in our work and cultures to a place of more inclusive practice.
In 2023 our first cohort received training and are now in the process of sharing what they have learnt with others and integrating it into their own practice.
We are sharing this article to coincide with Race Equality week 2024, please visit their website for more information.
What do our EDI Champions have to say?
Loveness Ncube, Quality Matron at North Manchester Adult Inpatients Unit (Parkhouse) and EDI Champion says,
“This training is brilliant and opens people’s eyes up to so many things they may have no awareness of. I had no knowledge of what neurodiversity was and did not realise that discrimination takes many forms, individuals can be treated differently due a range of factors including having a disability or a neurodiversity.
Our goal at the Trust is to become Zero Tolerance organisation – towards many types of discrimination: racism, homophobia, disability. As a result, this culture and awareness will cascade down to service users as staff can treat them with a more open-minded and empathetic approach. I feel that this training really does give people confidence and trust in management teams.
The programme helps to develop you personally as well as professionally and is a very practical course, with realistic scenarios of how to deal with real-world challenges in a range of settings, using real-life examples.”
Iain Foster, Organisational Development Facilitator and EDI Champion says,
"I work in HR, and it is a subject close to my heart as I am a member of the LGBTQ+ network and suffer with a neurodivergent condition. EDI is also an area I wish to specialise in and have a future career in.
I learned about the concept of white privilege and accepting that this was me growing up, and understanding the challenges people who are ethnically diverse still encounter as a result. Also, the complexity of neurodiversity and how symptoms vary from individual to individual.
I now have a much better knowledge of EDI and the challenges that we face collectively as a group. We have a long way to go nationally regarding culture shifts in relation to EDI, however, once we can roll-out training and information to our employees then this will hopefully be the start of the journey with baby steps."
Why have we invested in this programme?
We believe that everyone has the right to live and work in an environment free from harassment, discrimination, abuse, and violence. Our Inclusive Cultures Programme uses active bystander principles to equip people with the skills to be able to recognise a range of problematic situations and safely act.
At GMMH, our aim is to create a culture where inclusive behaviours become the norm and people feel respected and safe.
There are three more EDI Champions cohorts in progress, these include:
Cohort 2 (Trust Wide - In Progress)
Cohort 3 (Park House - In Progress)
Cohort 4 (Adult Forensic Services - In Progress)
About our Inclusive Cultures Programme
Our Inclusive Cultures Programme offers a range of training and development opportunities which aim to create a culture where inclusive behaviours become the norm and people feel respected and safe. In addition to the EDI Champions programme, the following have been launched:
Where do you draw the line? Active Bystanders Training
Our Where do you draw the line? Becoming an Active Bystander session introduces participants to bystander education and theory which aims to provide people will the skills to safely speak up when they witness bullying, harassment, discrimination and hate based abuse and violence.
The training will explore the topics such as active bystander theory, anti-racism, anti-homophobia, anti-transphobia, and neurodiversity in the workplace. Duration: 1 day. This session is aimed at all staff (up to band 5).
Inclusive Leadership: Becoming an Active Bystander
Our Inclusive Leadership Becoming an Active Bystander Training is a 1-day session which focuses on anti-discriminatory practice and the importance of being an active bystander as an inclusive and compassionate leader.
The training will explore topics such as active bystander theory, anti-racism, anti-homophobia, anti-transphobia, and neurodiversity in the workplace. Duration: 1 day. This session is aimed at all leaders and managers (band 6+)
Find out more about our Advancing Equity and Inclusion Strategy.
