During last year’s PRIDE celebration, we invited Lisa Charlwood Green of The WOW Network to discuss LGBTQ+ inclusivity during a lunch and learn session. Lisa covered a vast array of topics, as well as providing practical tips to help us enhance our diversity and inclusion at Bedford.

Here’s what we covered during the event:

  • Personal stories to understand LGBTQ+ challenges.
  • Staff networks for support and belonging.
  • WOW Network’s strategies for empowering LGBTI+ women.
  • Community building with open dialogue and respect.
  • Allyship through seeking diversity and neutral language.

The session concluded with a Q&A, reinforcing Bedford Consulting’s dedication to a diverse and inclusive workplace.

A year down the line, we wanted to create a follow up blog to show some of the ways in which we have embraced these teachings and embedded them into our organisation. Our commitment is reflected in our policies, practices, and daily interactions. We’re proud to champion LGBTQ+ inclusivity and we are always looking for ways to improve; taking a practical and holistic approach that goes beyond rainbow logos.

Reviewing our policies

We wanted to ensure that our policies reflected our values. At Bedford we aim to ensure that our workforce is truly representative of all sections of society. It’s important that each employee feel respected and able to give their best. We are committed to supporting, developing and promoting diversity and aim to establish an inclusive culture free from discrimination and based on the values of fairness, dignity and respect.

By updating our policies, we are actively nurturing a culture that embraces continuous learning and adaptation. This ensures that our actions are not only consistent with our dedication to excellence, collaboration, and social responsibility. It’s a commitment to not just uphold our values but to live them out loud, making them visible and tangible in every policy, procedure, and practice within our organisation. For example, we reviewed our principles, legislative framework and opportunities to employment.

Updating pronouns

As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we invited our team to update their pronouns in our HR management system. This simple yet impactful action creates a culture of acknowledgment and validation for everyone’s identity, promoting a deeper sense of belonging and respect among colleagues.

We asked them to consider the benefits of doing so which include:

  • Respect: By sharing your pronouns, you contribute to a respectful and supportive environment for everyone.
  • Visibility: It helps others understand how to address you correctly.
  • Solidarity: It shows solidarity with our LGBTQ+ colleagues and community.

Activities and Education

We encouraged our team to deepen their understanding of diversity and inclusion by curating a selection of insightful activities and eLearning courses which covered essential topics such as unconscious bias, creating an inclusive culture, and the importance of diversity. We then explained why this would be helpful to engage with including:

  • Awareness: Learn about the subtle biases we all carry and how to counteract them.
  • Action: Discover strategies to foster an inclusive environment where everyone feels valued.
  • Appreciation: Understand the vital role diversity plays in enriching our workplace and society.

The History of PRIDE

Finally, we encouraged our employees to engage with the history of PRIDE by providing recommended content such as. This is essential as it provides a deep understanding of the struggles and triumphs of the LGBTQ+ community. By reading articles, books, listening to podcasts and watching documentaries, you can gain a comprehensive view of the movement’s evolution and its pivotal moments. This engagement not only honours the past but also empowers individuals to contribute to a more inclusive and equitable future.

Here are some of the benefits to exploring the history of PRIDE:

  • Visibility and Acceptance: PRIDE promotes visibility and acceptance. It’s a time to celebrate diverse identities, challenge stereotypes, and foster understanding.
  • Advocacy and Rights: PRIDE rallies advocate for LGBTQ+ rights, from marriage equality to anti-discrimination laws. It’s a reminder that progress requires collective action.
  • Community and Solidarity: PRIDE brings together a vibrant community. It’s a space where people can be their authentic selves, find support, and celebrate love.

Conclusion

Overall, we believe that our people are our greatest strength and that our systematic approach to diversity and inclusion allows us to set measurable goals that extend beyond gender representation. All individual’s unique contributions enrich our organisation, and our collective objective is to foster an environment where everyone feels accepted, valued, challenged and inspired to be at their natural best.