7 February 2022

Race Equality Week is an annual UK-wide movement uniting thousands of organisations and individuals to address the barriers to race equality in the workplace.

The events of 2020, including the Black Lives Matter movement and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority communities, has heightened public consciousness of race inequality. Learn more about Race Equality Week here.

This year’s theme is #ActionNotJustWords, and the CNWL BAME Staff Network are running a range of activities to highlight the importance:

Staff can get involved in:

  • Ope mic sessions – online hosted by the network to provide a safe space for colleagues to come together and discuss topics from career clinics, mentoring, WRES reporting and more…
  • Organising of the second BAME Staff Network conference – date to be announced soon!
  • Joining a local chapter, Harrow, Hillingdon, Milton Keynes, Westminster and (Camden – coming soon!)

Varsha Dodhia and Samuel Owiredu, CNWL BAME Staff Network co-chairs said: “Diverse teams that are inclusive can achieve great results. How we see racial diversity and the barriers people face is important for CNWL. The evidence is all there that diversity within leadership is paramount. How we talk about barriers, how we talk about health inequalities and how we talk and listen to our staff to action systemic changes needs to be the way forward.”

Are you a CNWL staff member and interested in joining the BAME Staff Network? Get in touch with cnw-tr.bame.cnwl@nhs.net – we would love to hear from you!