Founded by Inclusive Employers, National Inclusion Week runs from 23 to 29 September and is dedicated to celebrating inclusion and taking action to create inclusive workplaces.
So, when it comes inclusion in the workplace, what does it mean to be truly inclusive?
According to Inclusive Employers ‘inclusion is critical to society, and we must all work together to make inclusive and diverse spaces…Simply put, inclusion in the workplace is about ensuring that everyone feels valued and respected as an individual’.
How is Action Hampshire an inclusive employer?
Claire Vincent, Action Hampshire’s Head of People Thriving believes the organisation is committed to ensuring an inclusive workplace. Action Hampshire has adopted a culture of ‘coaching’ over ‘management’, which aims to provide employees an increased sense of support and value as an individual.
Claire comments, ‘Inclusion Week fits in with our mission of challenging disadvantage and championing diversity. It also fits with our role in strengthening the VCSE sector and its leaders. It’s about feeling respected and valued in the workplace’.
Action Hampshire offers flexible working to its employees enabling them to fit personal commitments around work. The organisation believes that every employee’s needs are different so offering a flexible working environment makes staff feel valued and more likely go the extra mile.
Here’s the team’s feedback about feeling valued
Asking for feedback from our staff is another way we can demonstrate our inclusivity. So, to mark Inclusion Week, we asked the team the following question;
Do you feel that Action Hampshire is a supportive and inclusive place to work? If so, what positive outcomes have you experienced?
Here’s what they said:
‘Action Hampshire’s policies around flexible working enable me to accommodate commitments outside of work. Being able to volunteer for other organisations I’m passionate about and take the occasional longer lunch to catch up with friends makes a huge difference to my wellbeing, which impacts the energy and enthusiasm I can bring to my role at Action Hampshire. Also, I’m able to draw on the connections I’ve made through my other volunteering roles when looking at collaboration opportunities and promote Action Hampshire a bit more in my day-to-day. Knowing people to call on can make a huge difference when trying to turn around a grant application with an imposing deadline!’
Hannah Henshaw, Business and Project Development Specialist
‘For me, Action Hampshire has been a very supportive employer since I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s two years ago. I felt able to be upfront about my diagnosis from the start and the whole team has been very understanding. Action Hampshire supported my Access to Work application which has provided me with a very comfy office chair! My Coaches [at Action Hampshire] have been proactive in making sure I have everything I need in order to work effectively. The team has been very encouraging about the blogs I have written about living with Parkinson’s.’
Rosie Duffy, Operations Officer
‘Most organisations have ‘values’ that they say are integral to their way of working. Sadly, these can be stated but not lived. In my experience of Action Hampshire, the commitment to staff wellbeing, team support and inclusivity are lived every day and are actively reinforced and encouraged by the Senior Lead Team. I feel that the staff team respect each other and are always quick to offer help, especially when they know someone’s workload is greater than usual.’
Claire Morgan, Community Projects Officer
‘Working at Action Hampshire, I’ve had so many opportunities to learn new skills and try out new things. I really appreciate the supportive environment and the commitment to everyone’s wellbeing.’
Kevin Sawers, Community Projects Specialist
‘I really love how flexible AH is with giving you the freedom to work from home, and allowing you to work in your own hours, so long as you get the work done. Having no micromanagement, but still getting the support needed, has been a big bonus, and I definitely feel closer to my peers than I have in any other job. Action Hampshire also gives you the opportunity to pursue any development you want to do, eg courses, and having complete my first accounting course while working here, I have a lot of gratitude for them’.
Natasha Anderson, Finance Administrator
‘I joined Action Hampshire in July and something that has been immediately noticeable and enormously positive is the genuine commitment to wellness. We were all invited on a volunteer day at a local organic farm in August and I would have never believed that helping to plant 320 lettuces in a day would give me so much enthusiastic energy! Also, Action Hampshire has introduced me to the concept of ‘coaching’ as an alternative to a traditional line-management style, which has given me confidence to approach tasks and challenges in a much more positive way.’
Alex Robertson, Communications Specialist
Inclusivity, the future and beyond
According to the NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations), women make up two-thirds of the voluntary sector workforce and there is less ethnic diversity than in the private sector. However, the amount of disabled people is continuing to grow with just over 25% identifying as disabled in the voluntary sector.
There are actions which could be taken to make the VSCE sector more inclusive.
Reaching out to under-represented groups is one of our key roles. In projects such as Communities Against Cancer and Safe and Warm Communities, we are committed to spreading health and energy awareness amongst underserved groups.
Perhaps, in the future, we could develop recruitment strategies which target underserved communities so these people can be represented within our staff team.
As with many organisations in this sector and across society, inclusion is a worthy goal to pursue. Action Hampshire is on its own journey and supporting initiatives like National Inclusion Week is an important step towards a fairer and more inclusive society.
To find out more about Inclusion Week and the work we do with underserved communities, please follow the links below.
Follow this link to hear more about Inclusion Week
Follow this link to learn more about our community projects
How can we make volunteering more inclusive?
Without volunteers many organisations would struggle to deliver their goals and achieve the amazing work they do. Here are some points to consider.
Reach out to seldom heard communities through targeted communications
Provide training and opportunities to grow skills
Offer flexible volunteering opportunities such as evening/ weekend work or work from home
Follow this link for Nicky’s top volunteering tips
How is your organisation an inclusive employer?
Please share you views with us. We’d love to hear how your organisation is taking steps to treat everyone as an individual.
