National Inclusion Week 2023: Sign Up to the Question Time with Staff Networks Event on Tuesday October 3

Join network leads from GLAM, Diverse, the Disability Network and the Wellbeing Champions for a Question Time session this coming Tuesday.

Each network will deliver a short presentation about who they are and the work they are doing to make the Council a more inclusive place to work. This is your opportunity to discover what the networks do for you and your colleagues.

You also have a chance to ask the network leads any questions you may have about their work, who they represent, and their upcoming plans.

The success of the networks depends on the staff behind them - more members mean the more voices that are heard and the greater the change they can achieve.

Let’s meet the speakers and learn more about the people behind the networks!

Meet Your Speakers

Tom Bowring – Director of Corporate Resources

The Director of Corporate Resources will be hosting the Question Time with Staff Networks event this coming Tuesday. As a member of the Senior Leadership Team, Tom has a wonderful insight to all the fantastic work our Staff Networks do to make the Council a more inclusive place to work and the Vale an inclusive place to live.

Personally, Tom has been heavily involved with GLAM over the years, championing the group and getting involved with local Pride events - He even made an appearance as Cariad the Cow at Cowbridge Pride earlier this year!

Lee Boyland – GLAM Chair

Lee is a member of the Communities for Work Team and was appointed as the new chair of GLAM earlier this year. GLAM is the network of LGBTQ+ colleagues and allies that work to have a positive impact for LGBTQ+ colleagues in the workplace.

They foster a culture of openness and inclusivity which provides staff with a safe space where they can be themselves. GLAM also work to educate, provide knowledge, and raise awareness of issues that face the LGBTQ+ community. GLAM is also a very social and supportive group who organise and attend events such as Pride.

Lee will be joined by GLAM’s vice chair, Carl Culverwell, to answer any questions you may have for the network.

 Laura Eddins – Vice Chair of Diverse and Chair of Wellbeing Champions

Laura works as a Policy and Quality Assurance Officer within the Social Services Directorate. Many of you may know Laura for her work as Chair of the Wellbeing Champions but she is also Vice Chair of the Diverse Network alongside Martine Booker-Southard as Chair.

The Diverse Network celebrates the diverse community of both the Vale and the Council and they represent and support Black, Asian and Global Majority staff. Diverse work to implement an open conversation around race equality in the Council in a constructive way to enact positive change.

Diverse also work closely with schools in the Vale to ensure that they are taking an active approach to anti-racism and providing an inclusive and safe space for pupils who are from the Global Majority.

Laura will also be representing the Wellbeing Champions at the event. They role model and promote a healthy culture within the workplace. Their work includes organising and encouraging colleagues to participate in the Council’s wellbeing initiatives and challenges and signposting colleagues to the relevant support services.

If you would like to learn more about the work that Diverse or the Wellbeing Champions carry out, or how you can get involved with the networks, Laura will be answering your questions during the event.

Colin Davies – Representative of the Disability Network

Colin also works for the Communities for Work Team as a Coordinator. His work involves helping people with disabilities find employment opportunities and how they can be supported in the workplace. His work is a huge influence as to why Colin has been so involved in establishing a Disability Network.

The Disability Network seeks to address the challenges that colleagues may face and what can be done to ensure that the Council is more inclusive of people with disabilities and mental ill health.

The network is open to staff with experience of disabilities, neurodiversity, and mental ill health as well as those who may be interested in joining in support. Whether your experience is personal to you, a friend, a family member, or in your work, all are welcome.

Elyn Hannah – Equalities and Welsh Language Officer

Elyn works in Performance and Development Services as an Equalities and Welsh Language Officer. She has worked closely with the three staff networks offering support and guidance and serving as an active member within GLAM, Diverse and the Disability Network.

Elyn is a go-to contact for any equality-related questions you may have and can steer you in the direction of any further training you may want to take regarding Equality and Diversity.

 

Sign Up to the Question Time Event

The Question Time event is taking place on Tuesday October 3 from 2 – 4pm. The event is being held remotely via Teams and only the host and speakers will be on camera.

Sign Up Here

You can submit your questions prior to the event here (your question submissions are anonymous):

 Submit a Question Here