October is Black History Month (BHM) and 2024’s theme is Reclaiming Narratives. It marks a significant shift towards recognising and correcting the narratives of Black history and culture and contributions and achievements of Black individuals both in the UK and globally that have often been overlooked.
It is also an opportunity to start conversations about race which helps build relationships and trust. Ideally there would be no call for a BHM, as Black History would be more integrated into mainstream education, news, and culture; this would also support wider culture and structural reform in organisations and society.
Please see below links for local activities:
October also marks various neurodivergent awareness dates, including for Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD); Dyslexia and Dyspraxia.
ADHD affects both children and adults worldwide and is a lifelong condition that is often stereotypically associated with hyperactivity, lack of focus and ‘disruptive behaviour’. However, people with ADHD are also creative problem solvers, capable of deep focus on tasks that interest them and bring innovation to their work.
Dyslexia affects around 10% of the population and October hosts a week of awareness raising around this neurodivergent way of processing information.
Dyspraxia, (also known as developmental co-ordination disorder (DCD), is a common disorder that affects movement and co-ordination. It does not affect intelligence but can affect co-ordination skills, such as tasks requiring balance or playing sports. Dyspraxia can also affect fine motor skills, such as writing.
A big thank you to all colleagues from across LOROS who came to the EDI drop in at the hospice last month. It was great to see some familiar faces and brilliant to meet some new colleagues.
Thank you all for taking part in the EDI quiz – some great answers from many colleagues; the overall winner was Aparna Linton ⭐
Colleagues shared some areas they thought needed more looking into across EDI which I am working on and some colleagues have put themselves forward to join a group of us who will be starting to look at more EDI related issues for and across LOROS.
If you missed the drop in and would like to share anything EDI related please contact me: jackienewcombe@loros.co.uk or via X 8425 or drop by (my office is opposite the Linton Room in the main hospice, next to Comms and Marketing)
Also, if you feel you would like to get involved in future ideas or EDI work for LOROS, again, please get in touch.
I am working with communications colleagues to demystify EDI and will be sharing further opportunities to find out more, as well as attending some team meetings, over the coming weeks and months.
Thank you for reading so far, Jackie.
