Supporting our LGBTQIA+ Staff
At NBT we have an LGBTQIA+ Staff Group which is open to colleagues who come from this equality community. The group provides a platform for LGBTQIA+ staff to exchange information, ideas and raise awareness about this area of equality at NBT, as well as creating a network for colleagues to support each other. It is free to join and the group's mailing list is completely confidential.
Our LGBTQIA+ WhatsApp group is also available for colleagues to join as a confidential space to get peer support, network and discuss internal and external LGBTQIA+ events.
As an organisation, we seek to be progressive and inclusive, and aim towards eliminating discrimination, and victimisation against all equality communities, especially protected characteristic groups. As part of this, all our staff are encouraged to speak up and report any abuse, whether they experience it themselves, witness it or are a manger of someone who has experienced abuse. We have processes for staff to raise their concerns, such as through our Freedom to Speak Up Guardians and Harassment & Bullying Helpline, for additional support we also have Wellbeing Champions.
We’re working hard to develop and improve the support available to all our staff, whether someone has suffered abuse, or even an experience that made them feel uncomfortable, we want to be there for all our staff. We are also supporting our managers to improve their understanding and confidence, one of our latest initiatives is an EDI Guide for Managers and Staff.
Our wellbeing package includes support for psychological health and emotional wellbeing, such as our Staff Psychology team and our Employee Assistance Programme service, which offers confidential expert advice and compassionate guidance 24/7. If you’re a member of our staff and you need support, I encourage you make use of these resources, or to reach out to Inclusion@nbt.nhs.uk.