Equality and diversity in Yorkshire & the Humber
Equality and diversity is one of the region's top priorities. Strategic goal eight: Enabling structures and processes to value diversity in the regional operational plan sets out the important work being undertaken:
- To recruit and develop activists from a diverse range of backgrounds
- Expand the number and influence of diversity champions across the region
- Champion diversity and equality and lobby on issues of human rights within health and social care
- Ensure diversity issues are mainstreamed into all RCN activities and services.
The regional board advances the work of the RCN across Yorkshire & the Humber and board member Tony Daniels is lead member for equality and diversity.
Equality and diversity network
Formerly the equality and diversity steering group, a new regional equality and diversity network was launched in 2008, at a seminar at the Centre for Inclusion and Diversity at the University of Bradford.
Established to provide an 'open forum' for members to debate, discuss and consider diversity and equality issues and good practice, the network helps shape the RCN's equality and diversity agenda in Yorkshire & the Humber.
Members with an interest in equality and diversity are invited to get involved in the work of the regional network. Based around a series of seminar events on 'hot' topical issues organised by the network, there is an opportunity for members to meet afterwards to plan and talk through equality and diversity activities and future work.
Find out more about the network
If you want to come along to the next meeting or get more involved in the network, contact Adele Bird, RCN Membership Development Facilitator in the RCN Leeds office. Email: adele.bird@rcn.org.uk.
Why not become a diversity champion?
The RCN launched a new and important role at Congress 2007. RCN diversity champions push to achieve equality of opportunity and value diversity within their workplace - acting as leaders for diversity and equality. They are role models, taking actions when appropriate and addressing behaviours when necessary. They ask questions to check that diversity in its broadest sense is being recognised, understood and considered as integral to the decision making and evaluation processes. A good diversity champion doesn't need to know all the answers but needs to be prepared to spend some time developing their own personal competencies around diversity and equality issues.
Diversity champions:
- Recognise that diversity and equality are intrinsic to the success and performance of their own organisation
- Treat others with dignity and respect
- Challenge and overcome obstacles in mainstreaming diversity and equality issues
- Create a positive work environment
- Place a high value on diversity and fairness
- Remove any barriers that may impede progress around diversity and equality issues
- Actively support efforts to make the work environment and his/her respective organisation inclusive
- Make an effort to regularly communicate the benefits of diversity and the organisation's successes within that agenda.
Interested? Then sign-up today.
Yorkshire & the Humber region, along with the RCN's Diversity and Equality Unit support local diversity champions with weekly email updates, customised training and development as well as a monthly in-depth briefing on specific diversity and equality issues. Find out more about diversity champions or contact Adele Bird, Regional Membership Development Facilitator, email: adele.bird@rcn.org.uk.
RCN diversity toolkit
The RCN takes an innovative approach to sharing information. Find out more about this new resource in the Diversity toolkit section.
RCN Proud campaign
The RCN is proud of the diversity within the nursing community and is championing this by supporting Pride events across the UK this summer. We're celebrating equal opportunities for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community and promoting understanding and compassion towards diversity - a message the RCN backs 100%. Find out more about the Proud campaign.