February 24, 2022

Cumbria CVS’s District Manager (North), Niall McNulty, takes a look at what we’re doing to embrace Equality, Diversity and Inclusion within our organisation, and shares some examples of good practice.

We have been involved in some discussions in recent months about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (or as it is often abbreviated, ‘EDI’ – which in itself is not inclusive to some people!). These discussions highlight a growing awareness and strong will to actively involve and include diversity within our projects and organisations, but that there is also some caution on how to take the first steps in doing so.

Most of our organisations will have a policy and guidance on making sure we are inclusive in our practice, but how does this translate in challenging and actively ensuring there is a diverse representation in our leadership roles, colleagues or members?

It’s certainly something that we have been talking about and as part of these conversations we wanted to share any good practice and examples of emerging work that is happening across the sector.

Funding organisations have been vocal in making statements that reinforce their commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, as an important way to meet growing inequalities. The Peoples Health Trust recently updated their website to highlight their commitment.

Being proactive in stating an organisation’s aims to tackle inequality and be an active anti-racist and anti-oppressive one goes a long way in starting the journey to diverse representation and involvement; the next steps are how to put this into practice.

One of our projects in Barrow, which aims to support and work with individuals who are facing multiple and complex barriers to employment, has been successfully engaging with members of the local black and brown community, through successful partnerships with other organisations such as Furness Multi Cultural Community Forum.

What we have found is that the best starting point is having conversations with each other, or with other organisations about what Equality, Diversity and Inclusion means to you. These conversations can be challenging and perhaps uncomfortable but they can also lead to some new thinking and greater understanding. We are fortunate in Cumbria to have a range of local and county-wide organisations that have a focus on inclusion and diversity, whether that’s cultural and racial diversity, sexuality or disability, these conversations are a great way to increase our knowledge and awareness.

Another way to start conversations is to recognise and take the opportunities to celebrate our diversity, which is something that North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust have been doing.

As part of marking LGBT+ History Month the trust have been flying the Pride Progress flag at the Cumberland Infirmary, Workington and West Cumberland Hospital.

We will continue to have conversations around this topic in our organisation and as we do so we will share ideas on greater engagement, understanding and embracing diversity within our organisations and our County.