05/10/2023
Staff from across the Trust came together recently to celebrate diversity and belonging.
As part of Good Relations Week, the Trust’s Ethically Diverse Staff Network organised successful engagement events at the Manor House Hotel and Waterfoot Hotel to celebrate diversity in the workforce and promote a sense of belonging not only within the Western Trust, but also across the Fermanagh, Tyrone and Derry/Londonderry areas.
Everyone who attended the events discussed the importance of diversity in our workforce and what it brings with it, including improved quality and access to services for patients, a growth in services, more diverse cultural and medical training backgrounds and an improvement in the working environment for existing staff.
Attendees also had the opportunity to listen to some of their colleagues personal and professional journeys and how they have come to live and work in the Western Trust area, alongside from fantastic performances from local staff to entertain the crowd.
Speaking about the events, Trust Chief Executive, Neil Guckian said:
“I was delighted to see so many of our staff come together for the celebration events. Our staff are our biggest asset and it is important that they have a positive working environment. Everyone should feel welcome and have a further sense of belonging both at work and in the local community. Without you our health service would not function.”
Mr Guckian continued: “I would like to thank our Ethnically Diverse Staff Network for organising such an important event and for all the work they have done and continue to do to help ensure that our Trust is a great place to work for our ethnically diverse staff.”
Speaking at the event in the Manor House, Chair of the Fermanagh and Omagh Health and Social Care Committee Councillor Debbie Coyle said:
“As Committee Chair, I am delighted to represent Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, here in the Manor House Hotel, this evening for this event to celebrate diversity and belonging in the Western Trust. Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is committed to promoting diversity, equality and inclusivity and ensuring that every resident in the District feels that they belong through the Everybody Belongs Initiative.
“The Council has a positive working relationship with the Western Trust through the Health and Social Care Services Sub-Committee and Community Planning, therefore, I am delighted that the Trust also promotes diversity, equality and inclusivity to help us to advance this outcome.”
Speaking at the event in the Waterfoot Hotel, at the Mayor of Derry and Strabane District Council, Councillor Patricia Logue, said:
“Everyone should feel comfortable and happy in their place of work and I want to commend the Trust for their ongoing efforts to promote inclusion and equality among staff. By holding engagement events such as this one, we can learn from shared experiences and keep the lines of communication open between staff and management. Well done to the Ethnically Diverse Staff Network for taking this opportunity during Good Relations Week to shine a light on the importance of diversity and to highlight the support that is there for anyone who needs it within the Western Trust.”