19 February 2026

CNWL is proud to be accredited as a Leading Employer in the Proud Employers Accreditation Scheme; led by Stonewall. 

CNWL founded its LGBTQ+ staff network over 10 years ago and has made significant strides towards creating an inclusive working environment. This is the eleventh year in a row that the Trust has taken part in the accreditation programme and achieving this status is a signal of the importance we continue to place on inclusion. You can read more about our Gold Award from last year on this page.

According to the scheme, being a "Leader" means "setting the standard, with impressive, consistent, and wide-reaching impact"

Our LGBTQ+ staff network - PRIDE@CNWL - is a testament to this commitment - providing a platform for support, advocacy, and education to make sure that our workplace is not just tolerant but genuinely inclusive.

Nationally, more than a third of LGBT staff (35 per cent) have hidden who they are at work for fear of discrimination. This means LGBTQ+ people often feel that they have limited options when applying for jobs – or that the work culture isn’t for them when they do land a job. We all perform our best work when we feel comfortable bringing our full selves to work – and for LGBTQ+ people, that means not having to hide who you are or who you love, while at work.

Similarily it's important for LGBTQ+ patients to feel that they have a safe listening ear within our services through the Trusts Rainbow Lanyard Scheme and commitment to civility and respect and LGBTQ+ training. 

As always, CNWL has held events to mark LGBTQ+ History Month this February including a panel discussion yesterday with Ozoda Muminova, Director of The Good Insight and Saba Ali,  an award-recognised queer South Asian survivor, consultant, and critical friend.

Colleagues can join the network as a member or ally - see Trustnet for details.