Welcome
The network advises, promotes and supports LGBTQIA+ inclusivity across DCHS services, for its staff colleagues and patients who may identify as LGBTQIA+ within the communities we serve.
We welcome new network members, whether you identify as LGBTQIA+ or as an ally and welcome you to attend our meetings.
We are also happy to advise and support colleagues who may be requiring information and support around LGBTQIA+ issues and we will do our best to assist.
The network aims to support DCHSLGBTQIA+ staff to bring their “whole self” to work and to feel safe and comfortable with being themselves.
We will support you to 'Speak Up' if you experience, or see behaviour that is not aligned to the DCHS values. Raising concerns at Derbyshire Community Health Services (dchs.nhs.uk)
We can also provide general advice only, to fellow colleagues, managers, leaders around LGBTQIA+ workplace issues.
DCHS policies, guidelines and staff information to facilitate inclusive working environments for LGBTQIA+ colleagues is accessible via search facility on MyDCHS homepage or via: https://dchs.nhs.uk/resources
We have a diverse membership within the network, some have personal, and / or professional interest in specific LGBTQIA+ issues, related to: religion, faith, armed force veterans, disability, and neurodiversity
We welcome every member, as everyone contributes a different perspective.
This Leadership Chat video might also be a useful watch https://youtu.be/TYX7-rdY9b4 (also embeded in You Tube video area at bottom of page)
LGBTQIA+ Allyship
Being Trans Rights Now
Queer Menopause
For more information please click here.
LGBT Foundation
Hidden Figures Report: The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on LGBT Communities in the UK
For more information visit LGBT Foundation - Home
LGBTQIA+ Networks Project
Eight NHS trusts hosted an LGBTQIA+ video booth at their events in February 2020, contributing to 120 recordings in total. The video booth encouraged LGBTQIA+ identifying employees and allies to record short messages for 30 seconds about their working lives and experiences of LGBTQIA+ networks. To view their video bank please click here.
Samaritans
For more information please go to: www.samaritans.org
Stonewall
Resources available at: https://www.stonewall.org.uk/
LGBT+ NHS Confederation
Mental Health Support
Poor levels of mental health among lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans (LGBT) people have often been linked to experiences of homophobic and transphobic discrimination and bullying. Click here for more information for how to find out what support is available
Derbyshire LGBT+
For more information around support and advice available within Derbyshire, please see link below.
https://www.derbyshirelgbt.org.uk/
Men - Talk
Chesterfield based community support and online platform reaching out and offering free services and support for all. Click here for more information.
Fem- Talk
Chesterfield based community and online support. For more information please click here.
JAAQ - Just ask a Question
Lots of interactive information on a range of mental health and well being topics including LGBT+
If you cannot find what you are looking for and we will try and signpost you or put you in touch with someone who can help.
DCHS contacts for advice and support (depending on your need):
- Freedom to Speak Up Guardian - Jackie Rawlings. Tel: 07795 293707. Email: j.rawlings@nhs.net or DCHST.RaisingConcerns@nhs.net
- Staff Wellbeing - Email: dchst.yourwellbeingteam@nhs.net. Website: DCHS staff wellbeing services
- Resolve Support Services (Counselling) Tel: 01246 515951. Email: resolve@nhs.net Website: Resolve staff support services (dchs.nhs.uk)
- Employee Relations - / tel / email / www / social media (enter details)
External contacts for advice and support (depending on your need):
- Derbyshire LGBT+ (Local Charity) Tel: 01332 207 704. Email: info@derbyshirelgbt.org.uk Website: Derbyshire LGBT+ "Support anyone who is LGBT+ or anyone who is having issues with their sexual orientation or gender identity, this includes family and friends."
- Derbyshire Mental Health Helpline and Support Service (NHS). Tel: 0800 028 0077. Website: Telephone support for Derbyshire people experiencing anxiety or distress (derbyshirehealthcareft.nhs.uk)
- Samaritans (National Charity) Tel: 116 123. Email: jo@samaritans.org Website: Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen
- Switchboard LGBT+ helpline (National Charity) Tel: 0300 330 0630 (10:00 -22:00 daily). Website: https://switchboard.lgbt Web Chat also available after 16:00 daily.
- Opening Doors (National Charity) Tel: 0207 183 6260. Email: info@openingdoors.lgbt Website: Opening Doors . Connecting LGBTQ+ people over 50 with activities, events, support and information.
Events
Derby Pride 10 September
If you want to check out a few other events that might be closer to where you live check out
Pride Events Calendar | Pride 2022 | Pride Events (pride-events.co.uk)
Maybe send some photos of the day to @LGBT_DCHS or the DCHS LGBT+ Allies and Social Group facebook page, share the love with those who aren't able to make it.
Meet your LGBTQIA+ advocates
Advocates for our LGBTQIA+ staff network are sharing their stories with us here. We are launching the first of our advocate stories for IDAHOBIT Day – the International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia and Transphobia (17 May 2023). Please read on to hear from Hen and Jo and watch this space for other first-person accounts from our LGBTQIA+ network, representing the diversity of what makes us who we are:
Jo has worked for DCHS over a year and comes from Sheffield, she joined the LGBT+ network not long after joining the trust. Jo works for the Rapid Response Therapy Team as an Advanced Support Worker and is an Openly Gay Woman within her team and the trust. As the LGBT+ Staff Networks Gay Woman Advocate she would like to make others feel heard and welcome within DCHS. Whether they are openly gay, or struggling with their sexuality or sexual Identity. Jo wants to be a person that staff can trust, a listening ear, and someone who can be a voice to speak out against Homophobia, micro aggressions and prejudice that Gay people so often face, which can be a barrier to people coming out and being themselves in their place of work.
Jo wants to be approachable to all, and wishes everyone to be accepted for themselves within DCHS and the wider community that we work for. In the role for Gay women advocate, Jo wants to support anyone and hopes to make anyone who reaches out, feel listened to, welcome and able to be their true self.
Jo loves music, walking the dog, photography, and Yorkshire Tea!!
Henry has been involved in LGBT+ campaigning for several years and has been a part of DCHS since Jan 2020. Hen joined as a member of the LGBT+ Staff Network in 2021. Diversity and inclusion have been at the forefront of his work as both a School Nurse and Project Officers for the LGBT+ Staff Network. Advocating for the voices of both staff and children and young people.
As the LGBT+ Staff Networks Trans Advocate he wants to make others feel heard and make real and meaningful change within DCHS. Henry wants to be approachable to all and strives for inclusion to be integrated into all practice. In the Trans Advocate role Henry will support anyone on request and hope to make these people who reach out feel listened to, feel like they are speaking with someone who understands.
Outside of work Henry enjoys music and being outdoors.
Fern has always been an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community. Since starting working life and starting a family Fern has found the need to raise awareness more and more in day-to-day life, especially around different family make-ups.
Fern wants her role to open up the conversation so that people can ask questions for a better awareness of different identities in the LGBTQ+ community, being an expert by her experience regarding pansexuality.
Outside of work Fern enjoys hiking and spending time with her son and wife. You can normally find her in the peaks, trying to wear out her son or doing something silly for a quick giggle!
First-time motherhood in a same-sex marriage – a blog by Fern
Warren has worked for DCHS since 2020 but been in the NHS since 2004.
I am a Qualified District Nurse working within a community nursing team with Amber valley.
As the LGBT+ staff networks Gay male advocate, I want to make the voices of my peers heard and welcome within DCHS and the wider community.
The NHS has changed over the years to become more diverse and inclusive, but we still have a way to go. I feel that I can do my part to help by providing a listening ear and to advocate for patient and staff who do not have the confident to speak out for themselves.
Warren in his spare time can be found walking his cocker spaniel in the peak district or a weekend away in his campervan.