what we do : valuing diversity : face-to-face training
‘Diversity – an introduction’
All frontline staff, New College Nottingham
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An on-going diversity training programme for over 600 staff working at all levels across all departments at New College Nottingham (NCN). This thinkshop© supports staff to think about what truly valuing diversity would bring to NCN. It aims to help staff better understand the diverse needs of their students and colleagues and also the different barriers that other people may face in studying and working at NCN. We also encourage staff to understand their own individual responsibility in equality and diversity work at NCN.
- “Good to have a group discussing sexual orientation – it is an area ‘we’ tackle least…”
NCN staff member
- “… best diversity training I have ever attended and for me to say that…”
NCN staff member
Equality and Diversity Awareness Day
All staff (from trustees to receptionist), Torridge Voluntary Service
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A one–day thinkshop© to bring all TVS staff together to look at their equality and diversity practice: to examine and share existing areas of good practice and to target areas where improvements needed to be made. Empathy exercises, a video of models of good practice and small group work were used to do this. Delegates also had the opportunity to work individually on some practical steps that they could take to increase their own diversity competence and that of their organisation.
- “Excellent facilitator and covered all aspects. Resource material and variety was excellent and informative.”
TVS staff member
- “Clear explanation of equality and diversity…”
TVS staff member
Diversity and exploring barriers to services
Housing Department, Bristol City Council
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We were invited by the Housing department of Bristol City Council to run a 40-minute empathy exercise with their staff and tenants associations members. The purpose of this activity was to raise awareness and understanding of the different barriers that their clients may face in accessing their services. We have run similar empathy exercises for the Bright Project (a project that works to improve the standard and availability of legal advice to Black and other Minority Ethnic communities in Bristol), St. Paul’s Advice (Bristol) Centre and for The Youth Sport Trust.
- “Lots of positive feedback so far and I do believe that some people may actually have changed their attitudes! Had a couple of the more involved tenants volunteering to get involved with the BME groups I work with. Also, one of these people was someone who told me that he was quite negative about the day but his attitude had now changed. Also, people appreciated the honesty and talking about some of the issues that are 'usually brushed under the table.'”
Lindsay Wall, Tenant Participation Officer, Bristol City Council
‘Working with diverse audiences’
Postgraduates, University of Manchester
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This half-day thinkshop© supported postgraduate students in how to share their research effectively with diverse audiences. The participants first reflected on their own diversity make up and on how they might be perceived as ‘academics’ by different people outside of academia. They then considered the possible diversity profile of their future audiences. Real-life scenarios were used to explore the barriers they may face in engaging with people different to themselves and the strategies they might employ to overcome these barriers.
- “I would like to let you know that you held a great session - you pulled the whole day together and I thought it was brilliant. So thank you once again.”
Dr. Julie Reeves, Research Training Manager, University of Manchester
