Childless not by choice (CNBC) network
Childless not by choice (CNBC) is a phrase used to describe a person who is involuntary childless. The reasons for this maybe:
- Failed fertility treatment
- Suffering the loss of a pregnancy or not having the opportunity to become pregnant.
- Failed adoption attempt
- Unexplained infertility
The CNBC group has been set up to provide support for anyone working in the trust who has recently, or is still coming to terms with, being CNBC.
Childless not by choice facts:
- One in five women in the UK in their 40s are childless not by choice.
- One in seven heterosexual couples are unable to have a child
- 50% of men struggle with infertility and are either the sole or part cause of not being able to conceive a child naturally
- Being childless not by choice is different to being childfree (which is a choice)
If you wish to attend a one-to-one support session via Teams, please email [email protected] to organise a convenient date.
LGBT+ network
The LGBT+ network (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender + queer, non-binary, gender fluid, asexual) provides a safe space for colleagues to share lived experiences, inform policies and champion diversity within their working environments.
The network is open to all the LGBT+ community and allies including family members of the LGBT+ community.
Our aims is to:
- Work in partnership with South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust and act as an LGBT+ champion.
- Raise awareness of LGBT+ staff issues.
- Raise awareness of issues specifically affecting transgender staff.
- Be a safe point of contact for LGBT+ staff.
- Actively influence NHS policies and strategies that will or may impact on LGBT+ patients.
- Organise activities and events for LGBT+ staff.
- Engage with union representatives and LGBT+ groups, regional LGBT+ networks and work closely with the other trust staff networks.
- Provide first level support to LGBT+ staff who feel they are being bullied or harassed on the grounds of sexual orientation or sexual identity.
To get in touch please email [email protected].
Menopause network
The menopause network group provides a safe space for colleagues to share lived experiences, inform policies and champion diversity within their working environments.
The network is predominantly made up of menopause champions, however all staff are invited to attend two open meetings a year regardless of gender or age.
Aim and vision:
- We aim to provide guidance and a safe space for those who are giving support and those needing support regarding menopausal symptoms in the workplace and at home.
- We aim to raise awareness of menopause through events and networking with stakeholders including other internal and external networks.
- To work with all stakeholders and other trusts to encourage change, inclusion and understanding around menopause and andropause.
- A safe space for staff to speak freely without judgement.
- Offer managers and colleagues support in making reasonable adjustments.
- To keep colleagues up to date with regular updates, changes to policy, legislation and training.
To get in touch please email [email protected].
Disability and long term-health network
The disability and long-term health network is in place to help improve the experience of staff who have a disability and/or a long-term health condition.
Aims of the network:
- Improve understanding of the many and varied conditions and individual needs of colleagues working in our trust.
- Provide support, advice and provide guidance to anyone in the trust who is experiencing a long-term health condition or a disability.
- For all colleagues to know there is a safe space to speak openly, with others who are in, or have been in, a similar position.
- Support colleagues who may be working with someone, who has disclosed to them that they have a long-term health condition, or a disability and they would like to learn more about their needs and how best they may be able to support them.
- Develop information sheets by staff in the network, colleagues with lived experience of conditions or disabilities, to enable other staff and managers to gain an insight into long-term conditions and disabilities and provide better support and understanding.
- Aid in the development and review of trust policies and procedures.
If you need support, advice or guidance, you can email via [email protected].
Neurodiversity network
The neurodiversity network meets to provide a safe space community for neurodiverse staff, offering group and one to one peer support.
We hope to support our neurodiverse colleagues through this inclusive community. Our collective voice can be used to raise awareness and understanding of the challenges faced by neurodiverse colleagues through the equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) workforce steering group. Furthermore, the network hopes to show the wider organisation that embracing neurodiversity creates advantages, opportunities and innovative ways of working. We are grateful of all allies who wish to attend in assisting us in our work.
We work closely with the other staff networks to improve intersectionality.
To get in touch please email [email protected].
Interfaith and culture network
Our faith and culture are important because faith and culture frame who we are. Our faith and culture is also an essential part of life, shaping our beliefs, values, and attitudes about the world around us. Both faith and culture have a profound influence on how we interact with others, view ourselves and perceive the world in general.
Membership is open to all southtees staff who hold and practise a religious faith or none and to those who have a positive interest in supporting diversity and inclusion within the trust.
Network aims:
- To work in partnership with the trust and act as a champion for people of faith.
- To raise awareness of interfaith and cultural staff issues.
- To actively influence NHS and trust policies and strategies that will or may impact on staff or patients.
- To provide support and a safe space for staff who feel they are being bullied or harassed on the grounds of their faith or cultural background.
Contact information: [email protected].
BAME network
The BAME support network group is for any colleagues who identifies as Black Asian Minority Ethnic.
It provides a forum in which issues that matter to staff members are raised and cascaded for action through to the Equality Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) strategy group.
They enable individuals to come together, to share ideas, raise awareness of challenges and provide support to each other.
Aim and vision
- To improve the experience of staff who come from a BAME background.
- Use the network to shape future equality, diversity and inclusion strategies.
- Influence a system change in which all members of staff can thrive and be the best version of themselves in all spheres of life.
Please contact the BAME network via email [email protected] to confirm your interest in attending.