"A real eye opener": Skills for Care Diversity Training Event
Skills for Care, the body set up to improve skills in social care, focused on Embracing Diversity throughout October. What does diversity mean?
According to Skills for Care, Diversity simply means understanding that each individual is unique and recognising our own individual differences. It's important that everyone, no matter their background, race, disability, religion or sexual orientation is given the opportunity to:
work and progress in the care sector
be met by their individual care needs.
Part of this initiative is a series of inspiring videos which you can find here. You can join the conversation on social meda using #EmbraceDiversity
There was also an event in Bristol on 18th October; SfC locality manager Lindsey Thomas commented that for her as an attendee; the atmosphere was very comfortable and that there was very positive reactions in the room to the content being presented. At the end of the event people were asking to create action plans and sign up to ‘pledge’ to carry them out; a very powerful way of getting people to take the message and the learning into their working lives.
Sam Hawker, Managing Director of AbleCare Homes shares her experience of the event:
“The ‘Confident with Difference’ conference has already helped us improve our awareness of the issues involved in providing individualised care and support for a diverse client group; including lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people’s experience of social care and supporting a culturally diverse client group…….. If anyone has the opportunity to attend this event in the future we would highly recommend it.”
The event enabled them to:
Experience a powerful play exploring a gay couple’s experience of accessing care.
Hear from a charity providing information and support for older LGBT people.
Learn from care providers supporting culturally diverse client groups, and those with diverse workforces.
Explore ways of managing difficult situations arising from supporting diverse communities.
“This superb event was a real eye opener, helping us to look at things from the perspective of those receiving care. We may think that we are open and person centred, but how often can we really experience what it is like for the person we are caring for and those close to them.
For us one of the most valuable parts of the day was the opportunity to have open and honest discussions around the table with volunteers and staff from the groups presenting at the event including Opening Doors London and The Purple List Theatre. We would like to thank them for sharing their experiences and for some very moving and inspirational stories”