Exemplar Health Care is supporting LGBT History Month

LGBT History Month is a month-long observance of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history, and the history of the gay rights and related civil rights movements. It provides role models, builds community, and represents a civil rights statement about the contributions of the LGBTQ+ community.

At Exemplar Health Care we encourage all of our colleagues and residents to treat each other equally and support all of the communities that build our workforce.

Through our equality, diversity, inclusion and belonging ambitions we aim to provide a supportive and inclusive environment where all individuals, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability, or other classification or characteristic, can maximise their full potential.

Recently, we launched our Colleague Groups to provide a forum where people can share ideas, concerns, and successes, as well as offering opportunities for continuing professional development.

The first Colleague Group that was launched was ‘A Proud Place’, aimed at LBGTQIA+ colleagues.

The group is open for members of the LBGTQIA+ community and any colleagues who want to be active allies.

LBGTQIA+ Colleague Group

Recent studies suggest that one in five LBGTQIA+ people have experienced discrimination, bullying or harassment in the workplace, and a third of LBGTQIA+ people don’t feel like they can be their authentic self at work.

The group aims to improve inclusivity and tackle any workplace challenges which might act as a barrier for colleagues succeeding at work.

Hear from the LBGTQIA+ Colleague Group Chair, Lauren Brooke

Lauren Brooke is the Colleague Group Chair, and she shares: “As a leader and manager at Exemplar Health Care who is openly out, I thought it was really important to role model as a leader and manager and hopefully provide people with some kind of inspiration or motivation to feel like they were represented in leadership roles across the business.

“The group provides a platform to outline any potential barriers and create real actions in order to overcome them.

“Our biggest hope is to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace with our group's activities. We want to take a proactive approach to making positive change, to protect the members of our community and to encourage active participation amongst our colleagues and the organisation.”

Aaron shared: “Our new Colleague Group ‘A Proud Place’ means a lot to me. As a gay man I struggled to accept myself growing up as I didn’t really know anyone who I could talk to. A main benefit of the group is being able to meet others who are a part of the LGBTQIA+ Community, people like themselves. Being able to build friendships, learn and advocate in a safe space, all of which can have a positive impact on identity formation.”

Watch this video of Lauren and Aaron talking about the LBGTQIA+ Colleague Group.

Supporting LGBT History Month

To support LGBT History Month, our colleagues and residents have been taking part in activities and educational sessions.

Each care home was allocated a colour of the pride flag, and they’ve been hosting colour-themed parties and activities throughout the month.

At the end of LGBT History Month, we’ll collate all of the photos to make a big pride flag collage. Keep an eye on our Facebook page. 

Green day at Fairburn Vale care home 

Our Fairburn Vale care home in Castleford hosteda green theme day, where all colleagues and residents dressed in green and discussed what the LGBTQIA+ abbreviation meant, along with the history behind it.

They had a tattoo parlour, made friendship bracelets, key rings and coloured in rainbows.  

Raising awareness of LBGT History Month at Longley Park View care home

Our Longley Park View care home in Sheffield have made a colourful display board in the home, and hosted lots of fun activities for residents to join in with along the way.

LGBT History Month coffee morning at Fairburn Mews care home

Aaron Jones, our Colleague Group Co-chair, was invited to a coffee morning at Fairburn Mews care home in Castleford.

Residents and colleagues came together to discuss the history and create display boards for the home.

‘Be proud and straighten your crown’ at Lonnen Grove care home 

Our Lonnen Grove care home in Rotherham celebrated the colour orange with a display board and cake in the home.