DCHS inclusion conference 2023
The DCHS staff networks mini conference 2023 put the spotlight on inclusion – what we can learn and what needs to change to make us better at being inclusive as an organisation, as an employer and as a service provider.
It was an opportunity to meet DCHS staff networks, understand what they do, how they can help you and how you can help them, with guest speakers and time to learn and share experiences.
The half-day event took place on 28 March at the Post Mill Centre, South Normanton, and was generously sponsored by Unison, who provided lunch for all the attendees.
DCHS Chair Julie Houlder opened the conference. She said: “Being able to support, observe and be part of today’s event is a huge privilege, which I hope in part goes to demonstrate the Board’s commitment to valuing and encouraging diversity. It is important that we take the time to listen to what is being said today, the stories and the conversations. It can’t stop there though. It is about hearing and agreeing actions that will make DCHS a more equitable place to work but also that our services are designed to respect the communities we serve.”
Huge thanks to the keynote speakers who gave powerful personal accounts of their own experiences and generated a lot of discussion in the room which is to be translated into action outside the room.
The keynote speakers were:
- Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic network guest speaker DCHS school nurse Gemma Newbold who spoke about her story of racial discrimination.
- LGBT+ network guest speaker Emma Proctor, member of Unison’s national executive and co-chair of the national trans, non-binary and gender diverse network, who spoke about her experience of being trans and “why is the T in with the LGB?”
- Disability & Long-Term Conditions network guest speaker Amo Raju, who is a DCHS associate non-executive director, on his personal experience of disability discrimination.
- Veteran’s network guest speaker, Retired Major David B Wood, who discussed ways we can champion and advocate for members of the armed forces and veterans in our workplaces and communities.
Closing the conference Tracy Allen, DCHS chief executive, called on everyone in the room to go away and amplify what they’d heard by having conversations with other colleagues. “It’s about talking and listening compassionately, curiously, and respectfully. I think the change we are seeking will happen one conversation at a time. So, if I’ve got one message, it’s to ask you all to join with me into going out and having those conversations.”
In summing up a packed agenda and the need for further change towards true inclusion for everyone, Tracy said: “This morning there have been some really hard things to listen to and hear, for those of us who don’t recognisably fit into a minority. But that is nothing compared to what colleagues are actually experiencing. There is no excuse for us not to take action, but that’s going to take vulnerability.”
But she also highlighted some real positives which colleagues have made happen: the fantastic microaggressions video, the work on being Veteran Aware, our role as a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant, which we re-committed to at a signing ceremony during the inclusion conference, and the presentation of a certificate to DCHS from Unison in recognition of our Trans policy.
Summing up the learning from the conference, Tracy added: “We need to pick up the anti-racism Manifesto for Change, particularly with Gemma being a driving force behind it. And we need to continue to grow our staff networks because they are hugely important in driving forward our difficult conversations. No-one should be discriminated against or marginalised. Huge thanks to everybody for making the day happen, for sharing such rich stories and experiences and let’s please all go out and keep this conversation going.”