LGBTQ+ Staff Network wins prestigious Gaydio Pride Award
Our BWC LGBTQ+ Staff Network has won the Employee Pride Network of the Year award at the recent Gaydio Pride Awards – beating a host of larger organisations to the title.
Our colleagues were recognised for the fantastic work they do as a voluntary group raising awareness and supporting LGBTQ+ staff members at our Trust.
Chair of the network and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager, Darren Lamb, said: “We were really surprised to make the shortlist, let alone win.
“There was no one else from the NHS on our shortlist - they were all big national and multinational companies with bigger networks and budgets. We were so surprised we got the award ahead of all those people. It’s really great to get recognition from external organisations too.”
Lyndsay Evans, Practice Placement Manager, added: “It was amazing. We were so chuffed.
“It really was the impossible task, the room was huge and full of people. We were genuinely surprised and its great to be recognised. It shows you don’t need the biggest budget or lots of people to make a difference.”
Eudmar Marcolino, Scientific Training Manager said: “Most of our work is voluntary, we are all from different backgrounds, so we all bring something different to it, including some artistic flair to make our video which made a huge impact.”
The network has had a really strong 12 months, which has included a BWC-wide conference, support for the organisation’s Stonewall accreditation bid, awareness videos and regular meetings that have provided a safe and supportive space for staff. The group’s ethos is grounded in the health service and putting our women, children and families at the forefront of everything they do.
Darren added: “We formed the network to start conversations, but now our work has gone way beyond that.”
Lyndsay said: “It is a great milestone, but it is not our peak, it is motivation to carry on our work so it is not for nothing.”
The Gaydio Awards recognise and reward the extraordinary efforts made to bring Pride to all corners of the UK. The awards ceremony was held at the Hilton Hotel in Manchester on Friday 10 February.