Networks
As part of growing an inclusive organisation, Sanctuary supports staff networks. These are staff-led and enable colleagues to connect with others who have lived similar experiences. The networks determine their own objectives which broadly fall into three areas - providing peer to peer support, raising awareness across the organisation of the lived experiences of diverse groups and providing insight and feedback on relevant organisational policies.
Our LGBT+ network is open to all Sanctuary staff to explore issues affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans ('LGBT') people at Sanctuary and supports staff in the workplace. Since being established, the group has focused on improving Sanctuary's practices and procedures as an employer with specific projects including:
- contributing to the review of Sanctuary's mandatory equality and diversity staff training;
- ensuring office protocols, announcements and Sanctuary publications are free of gender biased wording;
- suggesting improvements to the way that Sanctuary collects and stores diversity data;
- the development of a communications plan to promote inclusion at Sanctuary; and
- the Sanctuary launch of Stonewall's 'Don’t be a bystander' campaign, promoting a zero-tolerance approach to bullying and hate crime.
Our group uses an online Microsoft Yammer forum to communicate.
We also have a network of role models and allies to support staff in the workplace.
Our Parent network set-up by two mums in mid 2020 aims to connect colleagues going through all stages of parenting to provide support and guidance, offer conversation and give parents a voice. This fledgling network is supported by specialists from Communications, Human Resources, Technology and Diversity and Inclusion and is rapidly establishing itself across the organisation.