Our staff networks are forums for NCH&C staff to have their voice heard and use their skills and lived experiences to make positive changes and create a culture of allyship.
Each of our staff networks is led by volunteer co-chairs from within NCH&C and championed by an Executive Sponsor. The active involvement of senior leaders within the trust ensures a culture of allyship and understanding is cultivated at board level. They are also empowered to influence change across the Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care System and beyond.
Below, our Executive Sponsors explain what championing a staff network means to them...
Diverse Abilities
“I am really pleased to be the executive sponsor aligned to the Diverse Abilities staff network. Why did I choose this network? Primarily because I believe that people with diverse abilities want and need to work and bring different and varied skills to the workplace. People’s abilities are varied, and everybody is different, and I want to ensure that as an organisation we recognise and value those differences and abilities. As always, I remain open and know I will learn more from these staff groups.” - Laura Clear, Director of Community Health and Social Care Operations and Executive sponsor of the Diverse Abilities staff network
Diverse Heritage (B.A.M.E)
“I have aligned with the Diverse Heritage Staff Network and couldn’t be happier to do so. A question would be why this network? I have thought a lot about experiences in my career and outside of work. I grew up in the Northeast of England in the 1970’s, and it would not be described as one with a diverse heritage. That said, what I have taken from it is the strength of culture, belonging and identity. Identity, heritage, culture, and experience are to be embraced, celebrated, and understood by everybody within the Trust. I want to listen, learn, and try to improve in any way I can. That is for myself, the trust and our community.” - Stephen Collman, CEO and Executive sponsor of the Diverse Heritage (B.A.M.E) staff network
LGBTQ+
“I am really pleased to align myself with the LGBTQ+ staff network. Why did I choose to do this? To try and make a difference to the experience of our patients and staff. Being part of the network gives me the opportunity to learn by listening to staff experience and reflecting and consciously changing my behaviour, and secondly by being an ally - using my voice to make changes and champion civility and respect for everyone. The most important thing for me is how we recognise each other for our individuality and the richness that brings. My passion is to see our staff confident to work in an environment where they feel no discrimination for who they are and how they identify.” - Carolyn Fowler, Director of Nursing & Quality and Executive sponsor of the LGBTQ+ staff network