Celebrating Diversity
We believe that encouraging different points of view at Second Step is essential. That’s why we’ve built celebrating diversity into our values – to enrich our culture and conversations, to create space for challenge, learning and new ideas, and to strengthen our bonds so we can deliver the tailored, compassionate support our clients need.
We take a psychological, adversity and trauma-informed approach to everything we do, from our work with clients to supporting our staff’s wellbeing. This means taking the time to understand:
- How someone’s past experiences have shaped their life
- How those experiences continue to affect them
- The social context of someone’s experiences, such as racism, neurodiversity, and inequality.
We are working closely with our colleagues of Black, African, Caribbean and Asian descent on our new Race Equity Strategy and approach. We’re acting upon their experiences and ideas to create a more equitable, diverse and inclusive workplace – one where racism is stamped out and everyone is valued equally.
Together we have:
- Committed to educating ourselves about racism and recognising that it is a structural part of the organisation.
- Promised to actively tackle racism and make sure we are not complicit in perpetuating it
- Pledged to make Second Step a safe space to work where everyone can thrive.
What’s more, we recognise that addressing racism is everyone’s business. It’s not up to our colleagues of Black, African, Caribbean, and Asian descent to do the work on their own. It’s only by working together that we can ensure there is no room for racism at Second Step.
What are we have done and are doing to combat racism
- Published our Board’s No Room for Racism statement for all staff and volunteers.
- Putting into action our agreed Race Equity Strategy with our Race Equity Advisory Group working closely with our Senior Leadership Team to ensure we improve the experiences of our staff and clients from Black, African, Caribbean and Asian communities. We have created new roles for colleagues across all strategic areas including communications, HR, learning and development and service delivery. In this way the group can see into all areas of our work, ensuring we are held to account.
- Implemented an anti-racism at work policy confirming our zero tolerance to racism and providing a framework for colleagues to report and call out any instances of racism at work.
- Our advisory group meets monthly and welcomes colleagues of Black, African, Caribbean, and Asian descent to come together in a safe space.
- Devised and delivered a Compassionate and Inclusive Leadership programme for all managers and delivering a Building Bridges programme of learning to staff, brought to us from skilled and experienced external consultants.
- All our diversity work is reviewed regularly including temperature check-ins with staff and more detailed annual reviews. Our race equity strategy informs our wider Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work.
Celebrating Diversity
We value our differences, understanding that being kind and respectful to each other makes us strong.
Links
Mind has compiled information on Racism and Mental Health
The Commonwealth Fund has focused on Confronting Racism in Health Care
Black South West Network (BSWN) has published research and impact reports on topics like Housing Black and Minoritised Communities in Bristol
Bristol City Council has policies and legislation which set out its commitment to equality and diversity
Somerset County Council publishes an annual Equality Workforce report