13 April 2021

The Disabled Employees Network (DEN+) represents the interests of our staff who consider themselves to have a disability. The network seeks to ensure disabled staff are given the same opportunities as their non-disabled colleagues and with career progression by giving them the reasonable adjustments, flexible working and agile working they need to do their job efficiently and comfortably.

Chau Sau Tran (who prefers to be called Sau) is our Wheelchair Business Service Manager and recently won the vote as the new DEN+ Co-Chair, replacing Jackie Dunn.

Prior to CNWL, Sau worked in Corporate Finance. In a cycling accident in 2013 Sau sustained a spinal cord injury. The support the NHS provided for her during this difficult time left a good impression, so much so that she decided to become a part of the team!

Sau has had a very good experience as a disabled employee at CNWL, which prompted her to apply for the Co-Chair role, and now she wants to make sure all colleagues who identify as disabled get the same support.

“I have had such a positive experience working in the Trust with a disability. My team are fully supportive of me both in work and also my crazy adventures outside of work. I wanted to ensure all staff in the Trust felt the same” 

Sau further says:

“Having a disability shouldn’t be something to be ashamed of or shy away from. We should be proud and embrace it. Hopefully the DEN+ network will be able to support anyone to feel this way, so they know they are not alone.”

Outside of work, Sau is fairly active to say the least! Being in a wheelchair has not tamed Sau’s self-described “crazy adventures” which include:

  • A 10km wheelchair run in North Korea
  • Climbing up Snowdon (in Wales) to raise money for Backup Trust who support people who are permanently paralysed
  • Bungee jumping
  • Skiing
  • Scuba diving
  • Swimming with whale sharks

Sau has also travelled to almost 50 countries, she says:

“I’m probably more adventurous than I ever was.  To me, nothing is impossible, it’s just a matter of finding another way to make it accessible”

You can keep up with Sau’s whereabouts on her Instagram page.

Welcome to the team, Sau!