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Staff Networks
We have various staff groups that support people who share similar identities and experiences.
We have various staff groups that support people who share similar identities and experiences. These groups, called staff networks, are open to anyone who wants to support their goals.
Our staff networks help members in many ways. They provide a place to talk, learn from each other and get support. The networks also work to promote diversity and highlight how people from different backgrounds contribute positively to Suffolk.
The networks try to make the organisation more inclusive by influencing policies, services, training, communications, events, and culture. They have representation on Suffolk County Council's Strategic Equality and Inclusion Board.
Our Staff Networks
A group of colleagues from Children and Young People and Public Health and Communities, first came together to share their experiences of working in Suffolk County Council as a deaf person or a person with hearing loss.
There are 1:5 people in the UK (12 million) who are deaf, having a form of hearing loss or tinnitus.
We know that there are a number of colleagues across our organisation who share the same experiences and challenges, who are raising awareness and who are finding solutions within their lives.
It is important that we get the help that we need within the work environment and are able to advocate for others.
We continue to develop links with Black and Asian colleagues from across the organisation to share experiences, develop activities, and be a voice about topics that are important to us.
Together, we can help Suffolk County Council better understand and respond to issues affecting us and support one another.
We:
- support new and existing lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender + (LGBT+) colleagues,
- meet every other month, offering support, discussion and information sharing,
- help the organisation perform better for LGBT+ staff and clients,
- promote LGBT+ events including LGBT+ History Month, Trans Day of Remembrance, Lesbian Visibility Week and Pride Month,
- link up with other LGBT+ groups and networks in Suffolk.
The Mental Health Network aims to raise awareness of mental health and promote well-being. We want to ensure that the council is a great place to work for everybody, whether they have a mental health condition or not.
Our objectives:
- Ensure people feel enabled and safe to talk about their mental health and well-being when appropriate.
- Support and run campaigns that raise awareness about mental health and well-being.
- Support, inform and influence corporate priorities and decision-making that affect employees.
- Employees at all levels of the organisation take responsibility for creating a good working environment that supports mental health and well-being.
- Promoting training for all staff, especially managers, on mental health awareness at work.
At our core, most of us hold similar beliefs to those held by vegans, whether it is protecting our planet, eating for better health, or a strong sense that animals deserve respect and should be treated well, so this network is really inclusive and already has members who do not identify as vegans. It is for anyone who would like to be a part of encouraging positive social change and improving the lives of all living beings.
Our objectives are to:
- promote opportunities to learn about vegan beliefs and make it accessible to all staff,
- link with other networks both inside Suffolk County Council and externally to increase our impact,
- proactively influence and shape agendas, policies and decision-making,
- make relevant information and resources easily accessible,
- support corporate initiatives and priorities,
- promote the network across the county through use of champions,
- be a consultancy for people-related policy changes and sit on the Equalities Board,
- provide peer support amongst members,
- continually grow and evolve the network,
- support people to make positive lifestyle choices,
- make veganism more widely accepted and recognised in the professional arena,
- improve people’s understanding of veganism as a belief.
SWIFT is a supportive network open to all members of staff who are interested in supporting women in Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service.
The Neurodiversity Network was formed in 2023 after deciding it was time to develop a new network for any and all neurodivergent members of staff.
We are keen to increase awareness and inclusion for neurodivergent staff to support the people working in the council as well as the people that the council serves. We hope to help shape policy, awareness training and to ensure all training is inclusive and accessible. It also offers a safe space for peer support and listen to the voices of neurodivergent people as well as celebrate key dates.
Our vision:
- celebrate neurodiversity and acknowledge that reasonable adjustments might be required.
- neurodivergent members of staff will feel safe to share their diagnosis and confident to request reasonable adjustments.
- neurodivergent members of staff will have a safe space to get support, solidarity and community from others in the network.
- for Suffolk County Council to accept that diagnosis is a privilege, and that self-diagnosis is supported too.
- to raise awareness of neurodivergence for all staff and practitioners to improve the lives of neurodivergent people in Suffolk.
- hold an annual charity fundraiser.
- organise and host social events.
The Young Adults’ Network (YAN) is for anyone working in the public sector who considers themselves a young adult.
The YAN's aims are to:
- promote the activities and interests of young adults working in the public sector,
- be a key network for drawing on the views and experiences of young adults to inform council decisions,
- provide learning opportunities targeted at young adults about different areas of public sector working.
The Christian fellowship is a workplace support network, open to all interested in discussing Christianity and related issues. You do not need to be a Christian to attend our events. The fellowship is open to staff, retired staff, partners and councillors.
We’re there to:
- pray with and for you, and for your work and family situations,
- discuss 'what would Jesus do?',
- learn more about our amazing God,
- provide a reflective space to rest in his presence.
Our mission is to inspire, support and mentor women in the workplace. Our objectives are to:
- motivate, empower, mentor, inspire,
- promote gender equality,
- influence policies and decision-making,
- have a women’s network champion in each key council location and directorate,
- be a consultancy for people-related policy changes and sit on the Equalities Board,
- provide peer support within the women’s network.
The disABILITY! network positively embraces a “can do attitude”, seeks to promote the abilities and qualities of people that society classifies as “disabled”, challenges stereotypical attitudes and supports those that wish to lead the life they want and those that wish to enable that change.
If you live with a physical, cognitive or sensory impairment, are a carer or simply wish to know more, then this group is for you! You do not have to be disabled to embrace our vision, just interested, with a positive attitude and a real desire to make a difference.