Colleagues from across our Trust have come together to celebrate inclusion and highlight what it means to them in a powerful new video launched on social media today (25 September 2023).
The video is timed to coincide with National Inclusion Week (25 September – 1 October) and reinforces a renewed focus on inclusion.
Colleagues were invited to get involved in the video. Twenty-five people employed in different roles – representing both clinical and non-clinical teams - participated including our Chief Executive, Graham Wareham.
The video reflects the breadth of diversity at our Trust and highlights what inclusion means to different people. Its aim is to highlight that being inclusive is about valuing everyone’s differences and supporting each person to be themselves and achieve their full potential. The overarching theme is #InclusionisEveryone.
Graham Wareham, Chief Executive said: “It was a pleasure to be part of this video, which highlights the importance of inclusion to colleagues at Surrey and Borders Partnership. Being an inclusive and compassionate organisation is a key commitment for us. We strive to be inclusive in all that we do, both as an employer and as a provider of mental health, learning and neurodevelopmental disabilities and drug and alcohol services to everyone within our communities.”
Colleagues in the video are filmed holding thought bubbles that express what inclusion means to them. Examples include: ‘Respecting those with a religious faith and also those without one’, ‘Being happy to talk openly about our personal lives regardless of our sexuality or gender’, ‘Being able to talk about your mental health and knowing it will be supported’, ‘Understanding neurodiversity and the many strengths it brings’ and ‘Knowing that everyone’s ethnicity, heritage and skin colour are celebrated and valued.’
As part of our inclusion work, we have introduced a dedicated Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Business Partner who is facilitating training and staff development programmes which focus on inclusion. This includes the Widening Participation Programme, which is currently providing six paid Assistant Psychology placements to graduates with personal characteristics which are underrepresented in the sector, such as low socio-economic background and minority ethnic background. We also have six Staff Networks which offer supportive spaces for staff to come together, share ideas and raise awareness of challenges. The Networks support Black and Minority Ethnic staff, the LGBTQ+ community, women, those with disabilities, those with emotional needs that affect them at work, and those with a faith or religion.
Colleagues below explain why they got involved in the inclusion video:
Kelsey Chappelle, Healthcare Assistant Apprentice, who appeared in the videos aid: “This film is only a taster of what inclusion means to us as a Trust, we are always motivated to try our best and look after one another as well as the people who use our services. It is a pleasure to be a part of this film and a part of the Trust as a whole. We are listened to and appreciated by each and everyone we are involved with.”
Kawther Akhtar-Hashmi, Multi-faith Co-ordinator said: “It was a great to take part in the inclusion film to represent people with faith and beliefs; I think it is important to be able to bring your whole self to work without feeling judged or stereotyped. The film reflects the breadth of diversity we have in the Trust and is a heartfelt reminder of the strengths embracing diversity and inclusivity brings.”
Jess Thom, Programme Director, Mindworks Surrey, Children and Young People’s Services said: “I often shy away from campaigns that promote diversity etc as for someone that looks like me it can feel tokenistic. However, after reading about inclusion week and seeing what Surrey and Borders were trying to highlight and do, I felt I had to be involved and show my support and advocacy for real inclusion”.
You can watch the video below.