Posted on: 31 March 2021
Over 200 people joined the first CNWL BAME Staff Network conference today (31 March 2021).
If you missed our event - you can watch it back here
Ela Pathak-Sen and Manpareet Dhaliwal, the Network Co-Chairs co-hosted the event and invited a range of keynote speakers, with a focus of the event on cultural shift: changing credence, behaviours and outcomes.
The event opened with a one minute silence for those lost to Covid-19, including the names of CNWL staff members read out over the London Philharmonic tribute to NHS workers song.
Ela highlighted the achievements and contributions of the network over the past year.
She said: “We have had a very different and challenging past year, but this has not stopped us wanting to push for the network and celebrate our wins.”
Claire Murdoch, Chief Executive, thanked the network for organising ‘such an important and timely conference’.
Claire said: “I’m so pleased today has been organised to highlight how brilliant the network is and show it’s achievements. Finding and sustaining voice and changing the Trust, improving all that we do, is my big ask. My bid promise, is to listen and act!”
The first keynote speaker Professor Anton Emmanuel, Interim Senior Clinical Lead for the NHS Workforce Race Equality (WRES) programme, delivered his session with a focus on the recent WRES report, highlighting statistics across the NHS.
Participants were then given the opportunity to join group sessions to take part in conversations.
This was followed by in depth conversation with the second keynote speaker, 
Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, who shared her incredible nursing journey, experience and some the challenges she has faced.
The third keynote speaker, Joan Myers OBE, shared her journey of ‘Navigating change in a VUCA world’ and spoke about the importance of recognising self-worth and encouraging change to come from within.
During the refreshment break, the network shared a montage of people who have inspired them.
Participants listened to Cherron Inko-Tariah MBE who recorded a special message to our colleagues reminding them of using staff networks to make a difference.
The event concluded with the announcement of the new network co-chairs, Samuel Owiredu and Varsha Dodhia.
Samuel said: “I’m very much looking forward to working with Varsha and growing the network and focusing on the things we have discussed here today with everyone.”
Varsha thanked everyone for coming and said: “Thank you everyone for joining the networks first conference, we hope you take away some of the points made no matter how challenging.”