Summary of Congress 2008 fringe events

What an eye opener

Monday lunchtime

This fringe event was developed in response to threads that appeared on the RCN discussion zone relating to the nature of race and racism in the UK.

Participants commented:

"The DVD was really moving and powerful. I wish more people had the chance to see it"

"I come from a country where your race determined whether or not you could live a full life…Our challenge is to make the changes"

"It’s definitely given me things to think about and more importantly things to act on"

The Transgender phenomenon

Monday lunchtime

RCN Northern and RCN East Midlands region hosted this fringe event.

The event was chaired by Rachel Ridley, a trans activist from East Cumbria Branch in the Northern Region.

Speakers, Bryn Musson and Rachel Gale, gave a frank and informative insight into the many issues surrounding life as a transgender person including the difficulties and inequalities faced when accessing healthcare services.

The event proved to be extremely popular with the attendance greatly exceeding expectations and generated some very interesting discussions amongst delegates during and after the session. This was the first fringe event which focussed totally on the Trans agenda and has been a huge success

Daring to do diversity - Challenge and change in practice

Monday evening

This session provided useful tips and tools for effectively tackling difficult issues around valuing diversity and implementing equality of opportunity. Daring to do Diversity is for anyone who has ever needed to have a difficult conversation with colleagues or friends about situations where diversity isn’t being handled well.

Feedback from participants:

"I’m going back to work with some new skills that should hopefully improve things somewhat on the ward"

"Actually, I’m going to try some of these techniques on my next door neighbour"

RCN BME Network - Are you interested in Breaking Through?

Tuesday lunchtime

The Network heard from Yvonne Coghill, National Programme Director for the Breaking Through Programme gave further information about this innovative new programme.

According to Yvonne, the National Breaking Through Programme will be instrumental in ensuring the NHS reaches CEO David Nicholson’s target of 30 per cent of top managers coming from BME backgrounds. The programme aims to identify, develop and place talented managers into director-level job opportunities.

This exciting and innovative programme will help inspire and motivate staff in the service and ensure the NHS harnesses the talents of staff from all disciplines and backgrounds.

  • For more information on the Breaking Through Programme, please click the link below to visit the website: Breaking through

The RCN LGBT Network - The next steps

Tuesday lunchtime

The network celebrated its first birthday at Congress but despite the celebrations, business dominated the agenda. The network gave their views on the content and direction of the RCN’s first LGBTwas consulted on the content and direction of the RCN’s first lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality strategy

There was also agreement on the structure of the network in moving forward.

Include not exclude: Guidance on socially inclusive practice for nurses

Tuesday lunchtime

A small but passionate group of members came together during Congress to discuss the way forward for the RCN webzone for socially inclusive practice. This RCN resource will be developed over the next few months and will act as a resource for all those nurses who work with vulnerable, marginal and disadvantaged groups, including those with learning disabilities, homeless, young travellers etc. Supported by RCN Council champions, this project will work with members to develop and contribute stories that capture the essence of how nurses can work effectively with these diverse groups.

Supporting diversity champions: using NLP techniques

Tuesday afternoon

This taster session provided participants with an understanding of the basic principles of Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) as an RCN Diversity Champion. NLP provides a number of useful techniques and skills in influencing and communicating with others.

Feedback from those attending included:

"It was lovely to meet and learn from you at the recent RCN congress. Fantastic opportunity to develop my knowledge + skills and I really enjoyed your session!"

"It’s made me want to find out more about NLP"

"I’m thinking about using some of this on my teenagers at home- there’s definitely the opportunity to improve communication and understanding there!"

Read the handouts from this session:

Mary Seacole Memorial Lecture

Tuesday evening

This year’s lecture was given by Dr. Neslyn Watson-Druee. In what was a very powerful lecture Dr. Watson Druee give the audience a series of frank insights around her experiences of being a black female within the NHS.

One audience member give us his thoughts on the lecture

"The parallels between Mary and Neslyn are profound. Mary had to fight tenaciously over time for change and recognition of her contribution and the needs of others in the Crimea. In a similar way Neslyn has had to have faith in her vision and dig deep to find the resilience to shape and turn around a complex organisation. Both are truly women of singular courage and purpose'"

Supporting diversity champions: Coaching and you

Wednesday lunchtime

RCN Diversity Champions invariably have busy and demanding schedules and coaching techniques provide a useful tool for achieving personal excellence and mastery. Blending creativity with energy, this session aims to provide RCN Diversity Champions with the skills to apply the G.R.O.W model of coaching to bring about sustainable change in all areas of their lives.

"All the facilitators were fantastic"

"…sounds weird, but Its finally clicked. I am the person responsible for change in my life."

"great session, would like to do more of this"

Include not exclude: Guidance on socially inclusive practice for nurses

Tuesday lunchtime

A small but passionate group of members came together during Congress to discuss the way forward for the RCN webzone for socially inclusive practice. This RCN resource will be developed over the next few months and will act as a resource for all those nurses who work with vulnerable, marginal and disadvantaged groups, including those with learning disabilities, homeless, young travellers etc. Supported by RCN Council champions, this project will work with members to develop and contribute stories that capture the essence of how nurses can work effectively with these diverse groups.

Congress 2009

What sessions would you like us to consider providing for you at Congress 2009?